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I guess the first thing that we could start on is the idea of how each character in the book represents a different form of masculinity, and each character struggles with his development according to the social norm
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Nick Garfield
2/21/2011 10:50:55 am
I feel like Lord Henry's character never really struggles with development, or even develops at all. He's probably the most "masculine" of the three main male characters, but at the same time the reader sees his distaste for women although he is married. I don't really know if that makes him more or less masculine, but his hedonistic, sort of rebellious approach to life could possibly come off as masculine, especially in today's sense of the word
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Jon Lively
2/21/2011 11:03:08 am
In regards to Lord Henry, I feel that ultimately it was hedonistic attitude that led to his distaste for women, as he was not able to gain any pleasure from his marriage, and this in turn led to his distaste of all women. Since Lord Henry had such an influence on Dorian, I feel like he is a plausible source for many of Dorian's lady struggles, causing him to gain a false sense of masculinity, and in turn impeding his development as a human being.
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Nick Garfield
2/21/2011 11:14:31 am
nice one, jon
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Liesel Anderson
2/24/2011 09:26:21 am
Basil to me represents a nostalgic man that to some extent wants to change. He is to a certain extent suffering a midlife crisis relating to his artistic career and personal life. After painting Dorian Gray in his true form Basil starts a new chapter of his artistic career. Basil does not like the influence that Lord Henry has over people and he almost has a jealously for Henry’s abilities because he wants to show Dorian the way to live in life. When Basil tries to convince Dorian to give him the painting he does not have a very strong argument and ends up angering Dorian. This leads to Basil being killed and Dorian spiraling downwards.
On a different subject, I would like to discuss how social, historic, cultural, and personal backgrounds influenced the book. I cannot touch on all backgrounds because there are many influences and a person could probably write a paper about one of them alone. After doing some research I learned that Wilde ascribed to a philosophy of art called aestheticism. This philosophy says that art has intrinsic value and does not need to serve any political or moral purpose. This idea was revolutionary in Victorian England as many believed that art should be an enforcer and driver of art. Wilde’s ideas about art caused the critics of his time to write the book off as scandalous and immoral. Since he had different ideas than many people he satirized the society of the day and used his works to fight back. Wilde also illustrated in The Picture of Dorian Gray that duality of humanity, a common thread in Victorian literature. This duality is seen through Dorian being beautiful to the outside world but the painting showing his corruption and decaying nature.
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