the picture of dorian gray

the picture of dorian gray

STYLE AND LITERARY TECHNIQUS

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"Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life"

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style and narrator

Oscar Wilde's writing style in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is characterized by its wit, elegance and the use of clever, often epigrammatic, dialogue and narration. Wilde was known for his distinctive style, often associated with the literary movement of aestheticism, which emphasized the pursuit of beauty and the rejection of conventional morality.

The third-person omniscient narrator allows Wilde to provide insight into the inner workings of the characters` minds and to offer comments and observations on the events and themes of the story. This narrative style gives Wilde the flexibility to delve into the thoughts and motivations of various characters, providing a deeper understanding of their actions and emotions.

Oscar Wilde, a prominent writer of the late 19th century, was deeply influenced by Aestheticism, a movement that championed the elevation of beauty and art for their own sake. In works like "The Picture of Dorian Gray," Wilde explored the Aesthetic notion that beauty is the highest form of art, often challenging Victorian societal norms and morality through satire and irony.

“Some things are more precious because they don't last long.” Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

Oscar Wilde is renowned for his distinctive writing style, often characterized as "sensual" due to its emphasis on aestheticism, sensuality, and a vivid, ornate use of language. In his novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray," this sensual style is evident from the very first chapter, where Wilde employs lush descriptions, intricate wordplay, and a focus on sensory experiences to create an atmosphere that celebrates pleasure and indulgence.

Wilde uses lush, detailed descriptions to appeal to the senses, such as the "rich odour of roses," the "heavy scent of lilac," and the "more delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn." These descriptions engage the sense of smell and create a sensory atmosphere.

He paints vivid images, like the "honey-sweet and honey-coloured blossoms of a laburnum," which are described as "flamelike." This appeals to the reader's sense of sight.

The mention of the "tremulous branches" of the laburnum and the "long tussore-silk curtains" invokes a sense of touch, making the reader feel the delicate movement of the branches and the texture of the curtains.

Wilde describes the "sullen murmur of the bees" and the "dim roar of London." These auditory elements create a sense of sound.

In Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray," the use of irony, wit, and aphorisms serves several important functions: - Irony creates tension, engages the reader emotionally, and highlights the unpredictability of life and moral corruption. - Wit, often delivered through characters like Lord Henry, entertains the reader while critiquing societal superficiality and hypocrisy. - Aphorisms offer concise insights into life, morality, and art, reflecting the novel's philosophical and aesthetic ideas. Together, these rhetorical devices enrich the novel, entertain the reader, and allow Wilde to explore themes like the corrupting influence of society and the consequences of moral decay while satirizing Victorian society.

- Imagery: paints vivid mental pictures, such as the rich odor of roses filling the studio. - Metaphor: likens life to a journey of self-development, reflecting Lord Henry's philosophy.Repetition: emphasizes Lord Henry's belief in the exceptional quality of Basil's portrait. - Rhetorical Questions: challenge conventional values and encourage readers to contemplate their beliefs. - Hyperbole intensifies Dorian's charm when Lord Henry describes his appearance.

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