The Picture Of Dorian Gray Literary Techniques

The Picture of Dorian Gray: A Masterpiece of Literary Techniques

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is a classic novel that explores the themes of beauty, morality, and corruption. The novel tells the story of Dorian Gray, a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty, and the consequences of his bargain. The novel is rich in literary techniques that enhance its meaning and impact. Here are some of the most prominent ones:

Symbolism: Wilde uses various symbols to represent the characters and their inner states. For example, the portrait of Dorian Gray is a symbol of his true self, which becomes more and more corrupted as he indulges in sin and vice. The yellow book that Lord Henry gives to Dorian is a symbol of the decadent and immoral influence that Henry has on him. The opium den that Dorian visits is a symbol of his escape from reality and his addiction to pleasure.

Irony: Wilde employs irony to create contrast and suspense in the novel. For example, the title of the novel is ironic, as it suggests that Dorian Gray is a picture of innocence and purity, while he is actually a picture of evil and corruption. Another example is when Dorian says that he wishes he could be good, while he is planning to murder Basil Hallward, his friend and the painter of his portrait.

Allusion: Wilde alludes to various works of art, literature, mythology, and history to enrich his novel and create intertextual connections. For example, he alludes to Shakespeare's plays, such as Macbeth and Hamlet, to foreshadow Dorian's downfall and guilt. He also alludes to Greek mythology, such as the myth of Narcissus, to illustrate Dorian's vanity and self-obsession. He also alludes to historical figures, such as Faust and Marie Antoinette, to show Dorian's fascination with power and luxury.

Aphorism: Wilde uses aphorisms, or witty and concise statements that express a general truth or observation, to convey his views on art, life, and society. For example, he says that \"There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.\" He also says that \"The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.\" He also says that \"All art is quite useless.\"

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a masterpiece of literary techniques that make it a timeless and captivating work of art.

In addition to these literary techniques, Wilde also uses other devices to create a captivating and complex novel. Here are some more examples:

Alliteration: Wilde uses alliteration, or the repetition of consonant sounds, to create rhythm and emphasis in his sentences. For example, he writes that \"The studio was filled with the rich odour of roses, and when the light summer wind stirred amidst the trees of the garden there came through the open door the heavy scent of the lilac, or the more delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn.\" The repetition of the \"r\" and \"s\" sounds creates a musical and sensual effect.

Foreshadowing: Wilde uses foreshadowing, or hints and clues about what will happen later in the story, to create suspense and anticipation. For example, he writes that \"As for being poisoned by a book, there is no such thing as that. Art has no influence upon action. It annihilates the desire to act. It is superbly sterile.\" This foreshadows how Dorian will be influenced by the yellow book that Lord Henry gives him, and how he will lose his moral sense and become a passive spectator of his own life.

Genre: Wilde mixes different genres, or types of literature, to create a novel that defies easy categorization. The Picture of Dorian Gray can be seen as a Gothic novel, as it involves elements of horror, mystery, and the supernatural. It can also be seen as a philosophical novel, as it explores questions of morality, aesthetics, and human nature. It can also be seen as a satire, as it mocks and criticizes the hypocrisy and decadence of Victorian society.

Style: Wilde's style is characterized by his witty and elegant use of language, his epigrammatic expressions, his paradoxical statements, and his aesthetic sensibility. He writes with clarity, precision, and flair, using a variety of sentence structures and rhetorical devices. He also uses dialogue extensively to reveal the characters' personalities and opinions.

These are some of the literary techniques that Wilde employs in The Picture of Dorian Gray to create a novel that is both beautiful and profound. ec8f644aee