While discussing the theme of art, one should mention the consideration of the Greek philosopher Plato, who stated that art (and poetry in particular) appeals to people’s emotions and senses. In his work ‘Republic X’, he pointed out that art “feeds and waters passions”, he meant that it stirs human feelings instead of controlling them. Plato pointed out that art brings delight only; however, as a result of this delight, people forget about virtue and justice. This is extremely interesting thought, and it should be taken into account while analyzing the Oscar Wilde’s work ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’.
The most important step in life and literary activity of Oscar Wilde is his novel ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’. The main theme of the novel is prize of the beauty.
It should be pointed out that the outer appearance of the person is the reflection of his/her life and inner state. The involuntarily abandoned look in the mirror can stop rude and arrogant words and evil actions. Eyes of a person are mirrors of his soul. In the novel ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ Oscar Wilde shows the mankind what might happen, if a person could have fresh, naive, and pure face even in case of having cruel and evil soul. The story of Dorian Gray reveals the truth, and tells the target audience that human face must show the person’s inner world.
‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ is an aesthetic novel; however, it does not promote the aesthetic doctrine. On the contrary, it reveals its dangers. With the help of this novel, Oscar Wilde tells the target readership that life, which is ruled by senses and emotions only, is anarchic and self-destructive. Dorian Gray might be called the laboratory experiment with negative results. Sir Henry manages to make out of this young man the fusion of art and secular way of life.
This story depicts how the famous artist Basil Hallward has painted the portrait of young and handsome man, whose name was Dorian Gray. The artist was talented enough and managed to portray the angel beauty of Dorian. As a result of it, the protagonist of the story was disappointed, as he understood that the portrait would always remain the same, and his appearance would fade. He exclaimed: “if were I who were to be always young and the picture to grow old… I would give my soul for it” (Wilde, 21). His desire has come true, and the portrait obtained magical powers. The picture became the embodiment of Gray’s soul. The man became the spectator of his own life. Sometimes the picture made him think about death, but his selfishness, depravity, and dulled senses did not allow him to purify his soul. His consciousness was the only hindrance that poisoned the melancholy of his passions. At the end of the novel, Dorian Gray was sick and tired of his “mirror”, and in a fit of rage, he took the knife wishing to destroy the picture, and …