November 14

Wilde’s hypocrisy when commenting on his characters

In a letter dated February 12th
1894, Wilde wrote: “Basil
Hallward is what I think I am : Lord
Henry what the world thinks me:
Dorian what I would like to be –in
other ages, perhaps”[Holland and
Hart Davis: 585]

In a letter, it is quoted that Oscar Wilde believed himself, out of all the characters in his hit literary novel, “The picture of Dorian Gray”, to be the character of Basil Hallward. This statement can be seen as hypocritical in more ways than one. The character of Basil Hallward may be drawn towards aestheticism but his thoughts and regulations are far beyond what the eye can see, juxtaposing the very nature of the movement. Either Wilde is attempting to establish an ulterior motive to his statement and his lifestyle, or he has unjustly tripped on his own words.

From the very beginning, the reader is introduced to Basil Hallward as a man who savours secrecy. This is evident in the first conversation made public to the reader, when Basil confides in Lord Henry that “The commonest thing is delightful if only one hides.”[Oscar Wilde, 7] This being the justification for refusing to provide a name to the painting Henry adores. This juxtaposes with Oscar Wilde’s outspoken aesthetic lifestyle: a lifestyle of which he was a proud preacher. This makes the comparison much more inconspicuous. It may also be an allusion towards how Wilde was forced to keep his homosexual preferences a secret during his time, as it was quite illegal and punishable by death, opening the argument that the true reason Basil refused to reveal the painting was due to his homosexual feelings and desires towards Dorian Gray shining through.

Hallward differs from Wilde in his interpretations of his art. Whereas in an aesthetic lifestyle, it is believed that “art is for arts sake”, we see something very different in Basil. He protests against the display of his painting for “There is too much of myself the thing, Harry – too much of myself!” [Oscar Wilde, 13] He begs and pleads with Lord Henry to understand his demise. “… and I will not bare my soul to their shallow, prying eyes.” [Oscar Wilde, 13] he says, yet Lord Henry stays cynical of his reasoning. In this context, it could easily be said that Lord Henry is an aesthete. Unlike Basil, he finds no unearthly and ethereal meaning behind the painting and it’s painter, he sees it only as a work of art: nothing more, nothing less. When confronted with a stubborn refusal to showcase the painting, Henry responds with naive criticism upon how the painting could never resemble Basil as the subject is far too beautiful. He does not attempt to dig deeper into the reasoning behind such intense denial. In this way and many others, Oscar Wilde has proven right the statement “Lord Henry [is] what the world thinks of me:”

What is most interesting about Wilde’s overall statement is when he states that “Dorian what [He] would like to be – in other ages, perhaps.” It is the uncertainty in this line that is the pitfall of the author. Knowing what consequences are attached to possessing utmost beauty, Wilde himself predicted the inevitable down fall of the beautiful Dorian Gray. If Wilde believed so firmly in the aesthetic lifestyle, it must be seen as highly ironic how he portrays the dangers of ‘only touching the surface’, of only seeing the superficial characteristics of a person and defining them by it. The killing of Basil Hallward only echos this fact. By murdering Hallward, Wilde has benefited his cause of aestheticism by proving art no more than to please the viewer with it’s allure. By associating Dorian’s worth and purpose with his outwardly appearance, he was driven to the taking of another soul and self murder, making his overdosed expressions all the more representative of the baggage that comes with beauty: the drug of choice being vanity.

Oscar Wilde is not completely wrong in comparing himself to his characters, yet doing so shatters his whole perspective of ‘art for art’s sake’. Although, it can be argued that a bit of each character can be seen in Wilde, from Basil’s love for the beautiful and Lord Henry’s clever epigrams to Dorian’s lust for preserving that which is beautiful. In the end, the biggest act of hypocrisy lies not within his lifestyle, but his books.

 

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November 14

Oscar Wilde, and his characters

“Basil Hallward is what I think I am : Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be –in other ages, perhaps” – Oscar Wilde

This quote said by Oscar Wilde gives us an insight on what he was thinking when he wrote the book. First, lets start with Basil Hallward. Basil was Dorian Gray’s best friend in the story until Gray became distant from him, and eventually killed him after an argument. Personally I believe that killing off Basil could be a reference to his gay lover, backstabbing him by telling the authorities about his homosexual affairs, which were illegal in that day and age. Also, Basil is a good person, and is thought by many to be Lord Henry’s angelic counterpart.

Next, we have Lord Henry. In the story, every move by Lord Henry is calculated, and evil. He took advantage of Gray’s loneliness, and need for validation to indirectly control his actions. When Oscar Wilde said that the world thought of him as Lord Henry, he meant that they thought of him as an evil, sinful man. Lord Henry doesn’t care about others, and finds joy in amusement, and sin. Many people in Wilde’s time thought that being homosexual was a major sin since most of the people at that time were Christians, which made most of them against Oscar Wilde’s homosexual affairs. It is also worthwhile to note that Oscar Wilde was married at the time, making his affairs worse. This led many people to believe that he was just experimenting for his own pleasure, which was very sinful. Finally, we can also note that Lord Henry was very smart, and could be considered an intellectual. He has a way with words, and stands out from the other characters in his own way, just like Dorian Gray. There is also an interesting quote by Lord Henry in chapter 1, where he says “”You seem to forget that I am married, and the one charm of marriage is that it makes a life of deception absolutely necessary for both parties. I never know where my wife is, and my wife never knows what I am doing”. His wife never knew where he was in real life either with his affairs, meaning that there is quite a strong correlation between his real life, and Henry’s life in the story shown at the beginning of the book.

Finally, we have Dorian Gray. Oscar Wilde has stated that he would like to be Dorian Gray in another time. Just like Dorian, he dresses up dandily, trying be like him. He stands out from the rest of the people in his era, leading me to believe that when he says “Dorian what I would like to be -in other ages, perhaps”. When he refers to another age he is referring to a time when his sexuality is accepted, and his fashionable self doesn’t necessarily stand out in terms of clothing.

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November 14

Oscar Wilde and His Characters

Oscar Wilde and His Character

“Basil Hallward is what I think I am : Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be –in other ages, perhaps.

-In a letter dated February 12, 1894

~

Oscar Wilde lived in the Victorian era as an avid follower of the aesthetic movement and believed that art serves no purpose higher than simply being beautiful. The quote stated ‘“Basil Hallward is what I think I am : Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be –in other ages, perhaps’, however, can show that there is a deeper (perhaps subconscious) underlying to ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ and that the author can be related to the characters he writes. Basil Hallward is a beautifully talented artist who spends his time painting his muse, Dorian Gray. His character has hidden love and affection towards Dorian, however, the feelings are one-sided. Lord Henry is a person of high class, and is thought of having a bad influence on everyone except Basil- he begins to corrupt Dorian Gray, slowly feeding him ideas that ruin his character, until he is superficial and cosmetic and does not care for anything other than looks. Finally, Dorian Gray started off in the novel as a very innocent boy, who only longed to learn more about the world and unfortunately did not choose the right mentor to do so. He becomes very selfish, cruel and simply of a shell of the who he used to be.

In the quote, Oscar Wilde stated ‘Basil Hallward is what I think I am’. In the preface, before the book starts, Oscar Wilde makes a strong point to mention that art is simply art and that the book has no further meaning than to serve as a way to provide enjoyment and pleasure. He explains that ‘All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril’, therefore explaining that there could be an underlying meaning to the book, however, it is up to the reader if they wish to try and uncover it. The reason that Oscar Wilde wrote the preface to ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, was because he was scared that people would try to uncover the parts of himself that he tried to keep a secret. Similarly, in the first chapter of the book, Basil is trying to explain to Lord Henry that he does not want to display his portrait of Dorian Gray, as ‘I have put too much of myself into it’. This shows that Oscar Wilde was representing his own feelings and concern that people would uncover a truth about his personality that was not accepted into society. In June 1891, Oscar Wilde met Lord Alfred ‘Bosie’ Douglas who was a very talented poet- quickly after meeting him, Bosie became Oscar Wilde’s muse and inspiration. This was very similar to how Basil saw Dorian Gray, who can be seen as faithful to Dorian until the very end.

‘Lord Henry what the world thinks me’, could refer to the idea that Oscar Wilde was a bad influence in society. In the first chapter of the novel, before Dorian Gray is introduced to Lord Henry, Basil is worried that he will be a bad influence on the boy, ‘I wish I had known it was your friend”/”I’m very glad you didn’t, Harry”/”Why?”/”I don’t want you meet him… He has quite a simple and a beautiful nature. Don’t spoil him. Don’t try to influence him. Your influence is bad… Don’t take away from me the one person who gives to my art whatever charm it posses: my life as an artist depends on him. Mind, Harry, I trust you.’ These lines clearly foreshadow the ending of the book, in which Lord Henry takes Dorian Gray under his wing and totally corrupts his personality, exactly like Basil feared. Oscar Wilde became a highly controversial person due to the many affairs he had (which is also a feature of Lord Henry) and was thus seen as a negative in the community. For example, in the book he writes, ‘you seem to forget that I am married, and the one charm of marriage is that it makes a life of deception absolutely necessary,’ this shows both Oscar Wilde’s and Lord Henry’s stance on marriage, as they both had multiple affairs during their life, despite being married.

In the quote, Oscar Wilde says ‘Dorian what I would like to be –in other ages, perhaps.’  The first possible meaning for this is the physical beauty that Dorian Gray has. In the novel, Oscar Wilde is called a young ‘Adonis’ who in Greek mythology is the God of beauty and desire, and his appearance is described as one ‘made of ivory and rose-leaves’. Dorian is beautiful and would have remained eternally beautiful if he had not tried to ruin the painting at the end of the novel- what Oscar Wilde could be saying here, is that he wishes that could stay young and beautiful forever, as the idea of becoming old is one that frightens him. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde could be referring to Dorian Gray’s innocence in chapter 1. If the story had taken place during another age, perhaps when the aesthetic movement was no longer relevant, Dorian Gray would not have been influenced Lord Henry’s and could have stayed the same innocent 18-year-old as in the beginning of the novel, which Oscar Wilde longs to be.

In conclusion, Oscar Wilde could have subconsciously written characters that represent his personality, or that he wishes that he could be. He believes that he is similar to Basil Hallward due to the fact that they are both artists trying to conceal the true meaning behind their work. The world believes that he is Lord Henry, as they both share the similar characteristics of having multiple affairs, although they were married and the people around them believed that they are a bad influence on those around him. Finally, Oscar Wilde wishes he could be like Dorian Gray, to preserve his beauty and to become innocent, once more.

Sources:

Dorian Gray. www.libreto.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/dorian-gray-ben-barnes-dorian-gray-0a8b5de12269dffa18400682dfeab78a-large-571426-2.jpg.

Oscar Wilde’s Love Letters. www.brainpickings.org/2013/07/15/oscar-wilde-love-letters-bosie/.
Betraying Wilde. www.theguardian.com/books/2000/jun/04/biography.
“The Importance of Being Earnest.” Oscar Wilde Biography, www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/i/the-importance-of-being-earnest/oscar-wilde-biography.
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October 29

Oscar Wilde in the Picture of Dorian Gray (Contains spoilers)

Contains spoilers!!!!!

Don’t read if you have not read the book 

 

February 12th, 1894

Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry is what the world thinks of me: Dorian what I would like to be- in other age, perhaps

-Oscar Wilde

 

 

 

Oscar Wilde lived during the time of the Victorian era but lived a life ahead of his time. In the letter seen above Wilde is reflecting on his characters in the Picture of Dorian Gray and himself. The three main characters of his 1891 novel all represent different types of people. Basil a hard-working artist who loves a man, but it is not loved back. Henry is a well-educated man who’s opinion is greatly influential. However, he is very controversial. Finally, Dorian is a vain man who only cares for the pleasures of life and enteral beauty. All of these characters reflect some part of Wilde’s persona.

Basil Hallward is what Wilde thinks of himself. This statement could have two meaning to it. The first being that he put too much of his real life/feelings into the book like Basil did with his paintings. “but I really can’t exhibit it. I have put too much of myself into it.” (6). Basil did not want to show his painting because he felt he has exposed himself. Wilde may have felt the same thing as the novel hints to things that Wide did in his life. The other meaning could be that he was in love with someone that did not love him back, that there was someone in his life that dominated him. “Harry, don’t talk like that. As long as I live, the personality of Dorian Gray will dominate me. You can’t feel what I feel. You change too often” (13). This may reflect how Wilde loved someone but they never loved him back. Having Basil love Dorian right up to the point that Dorian kills him lets Wilde express his forever love for someone. All in all, Basil could easily be an exaggerated version of Wilde.

Henry is what the world thinks of Wilde. Henry is the kind of person that rebels against the social norm, similar to Wilde. Wilde’s affairs during his marriage were hinted to through Henry. “You seem to forget that I am married, and the one charm of marriage is that it makes of life of deception absolutely necessary for both parties.” (7). This could be interpreted as you can be married and cheat and it will all be ok, which is what Wilde did do. The Victorian society also thought that Wilde was a bad influence and made people into people that they were not. Basil’s opinion of Henry could be seen as a reflection of people’s views on Wilde. “Don’t spoil him. Don’t try to influence him. Your influence would be bad. The world is wide, and has many marvellous people in it. Don’t take away from me the one person who gives to my art whatever charm it possesses: my life as an artist depends on him.” (15). Both these sides of Henry are very much things that Victorian society thought of Wilde.

Dorian Gray is what Wilde might like to be. Wilde lived a very lavish life and like to dress fancy. Dorian was able to do that and keep his beauty with him. “His finely-curved scarlet lips, his frank blue eyes, his crisp gold hair … all the candor of youth was there, as well as all youths passionate purity.” (16). Dorian looked beautiful and people admired him right up to the point that he killed himself. Wilde could have been saying that he would like to keep his looks for his whole life and to an extent chose when he dies. Dorian also lived life on his own terms and did what he wanted to do. This could be something that Wilde wanted for himself.

All three characters embody a different type of person, however, Wilde is really all three as parts of his life are reflected in all of the characters.

Works Cited

“Oscar Wilde.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 28 Apr. 2017, www.biography.com/people/oscar-wilde-9531078.

“The Picture of Dorian Gray.” SparkNotes, SparkNotes, www.sparknotes.com/lit/doriangray/characters.html.

 

 

 

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February 29

Oscar Wilde’s double life, and his dark desires; relation to The Picture of Dorian Gray

What I found interesting about Oscar Wilde’s life is that he seemed to live a double one. On one hand, he had to live with his wife, as if everything was normal. On the other hand, he was also having his relationship with Douglas, which had to be quite secret for the most time he could manage to do so. Since a homosexual relationship was extremely taboo at the time, I believe it connects with the fact that The Picture of Dorian Gray is about the dark desire, forbidden pleasure of selling your soul for eternal youth. Of course, the matter is not the same, but the fact that both of those things were taboo, suggests that the novel represents Wilde’s inner desires which are forbidden by society. In a way, like we already had mentioned in class, it can be sort of considered that the novel is autobiographical, to some extent, and that it reflects on his own life, since again, we can notice things in common with his own life, such as forbidden desires.

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