Chapter 15
Arthur Wong
Embedded Files
Thesis Statement:
Thesis Statement:
In Chapter 15 of "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde, the themes of corruption, Victorian Hipocripsy, and duplicity. Wilde employs vivid descriptions, eloquent dialogue, and symbolism to convey the destructive effects of giving in to temptations and the moral decay of the Dorian, as he struggles to maintain his facade. The author's intention is to critique the superficiality of society and expose that there are consequences to unchecked desires.
Quote 1 - Analysis
"The way people go about nowadays saying things against one behind one´s back that are absolutely and entirely true."
During the dinner party Lord Henry says to Dorian "The way people go about nowadays saying things against one behind one´s back that are absolutely and entirely true." Through this quote Oscar Wilde highlights the theme of Victorian Hipocripsy in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" This theme is central to the Novel's examination of societal norms and duplicity that exist underneath the surface of Victorian society. Oscar Wilde employs several literary devices to convey his message effectively. Through the employment of irony, Wilde Highlights the contradiction between what people say behind someone's back and the truth of those statements. The ironic twist lies in the fact that while the comments made behind one's back may be true, they are still hypocritical due to the deceitful nature of speaking ill of others covertly. Wilde further utilizes paradoxical language when he states that people say things that are "absolutely and entirely true" behind someone's back. This paradox emphasizes the contradictory nature of the situation, where truthful statements coexist with deceptive behavior, heightening the sense of irony and hypocrisy.
The visual representation bellow is an oil painting named "The Gross Clinic" by Thomas Eakins. "The Gross Clinic" is a renowned painting that portrays the public persona of Victorian society through its depiction of a surgical demonstration. The scene showcases a renowned surgeon, Dr. Samuel Gross, performing a surgery in front of a large audience of medical students and professionals. The painting captures the atmosphere of professionalism, scientific advancement, and the pursuit of knowledge that was highly valued in Victorian society. In contrast to the subject of th painting, the background show a hidden vices and dark secrets beneath the surface. It depicts a darkly lighted room or a concealed chamber in which people could indulge in immoral activities such as gambling, drinking, or having clandestine affairs. The dimly lit room further conveys a sense of uncertainty which explores the idea of practices that could not be brought to light beneath the surface. This scene illustrates the duplicity and moral decay that existed behind closed doors, in stark contrast to Victorian society's public facade. By juxtaposing these two contrasting scenes, "The Gross Clinic" would emphasize the theme of Victorian hypocrisy, shedding light on the disparity between appearances and reality. It would serve as a visual commentary on the dual nature of Victorian society, showcasing the stark contrast between the public image of refinement and the hidden vices that lurked beneath.
The Gross Clinic (1875) - Thomas Eakins
Quote 2 - Analysis
“Perhaps one never seems so much at one’s ease as when one has to play a part. Certainly no one looking at Dorian Gray that night could have believed that he had passed through a tragedy as horrible as any tragedy of our age. Those finely shaped fingers could never have clutched a knife for sin, nor those smiling lips have cried out on God and goodness. He himself could not help wondering at the calm of his demeanor, and for a moment felt keenly the terrible pleasure of a double life.”
This quote highlights the theme of corruption through its exploration of Dorian's double life and the stark contrast between his outward appearance and inner turmoil. Dorian, while playing a social role, appears calm and at ease, fooling those around him into believing he is untouched by the tragedies he has experienced. Yet, the passage hints at the depths to which Dorian has fallen, with references to sin, a Gothic lexical field, and the oxymoron of a "terrible pleasure" derived from his double life. Dorian's character is paradoxical, with his external beauty concealing his inner corruption. His finely shaped fingers and smiling lips mask his moral decay. His desperate cries to God, despite lacking religious belief, highlight the depth of his corruption and the consequences of unchecked desires. Wilde further employs the use of vivid imagery to depict the stark contrast between Dorian's external appearance and his inner corruption. The mention of "finely shaped fingers" creates an image of elegance and refinement, suggesting physical beauty and grace. Meanwhile, the depiction of "smiling lips" conjures an image of charm and amiability. This imagery emphasizes Dorian's external allure and masks the darkness lurking within. By juxtaposing these images of physical beauty with the underlying themes of corruption and sin, Wilde explores the idea that looks can be decieveing, And that the carefully crafted image Dorian presents to the world serves as a facade, concealing his moral degradency. Wilde also incorporates a Gothic lexical field to enhance the sense of darkness, sin, and moral decay surrounding Dorian's character. The passage mentions a "tragedy" that Dorian has experienced, alluding to a profound and horrific event in his life. This choice of word creates an atmosphere of foreboding and hints at the depth of suffering and moral transgression that Dorian has encountered. The passage's Gothic undertones are heightened by the reference to "a knife for sin," which implies violence and the severe nature of Dorian's sins. The phrase "cried out on God and goodness" invokes religious imagery, suggesting Dorian's profound deviance from accepted norms and questioning of faith and goodness, aligning with Gothic themes of moral ambiguity and the consequences of transgression.
One specific existing artwork that connects to the theme of corruption depicted in the passage from The Picture of Dorian Gray is "The Garden of Earthly Delights" by Hieronymus Bosch. "The Garden of Earthly Delights" is a triptych painting that depicts a surreal and fantastical landscape filled with bizarre and grotesque imagery. The central panel of the triptych, in particular, showcases a scene of indulgence, excess, and moral decay. The juxtaposition of vibrant colors, intricate details, and disturbing imagery in "The Garden of Earthly Delights" mirrors the stark contrast between Dorian's outward appearance and his inner turmoil. The painting serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the consequences of unrestrained desires and the corrupting influence of indulgence.
The Garden of Earthly Delights (1503–1515) - Hieronymus Bosch
Quote 3 - Analysis
"She is still décolletée,” he answered, taking an olive in his long fingers; “and when she is in a very smart gown she looks like an édition de luxe of a bad French novel. She is really wonderful, and full of surprises. Her capacity for family affection is extraordinary. When her third husband died, her hair turned quite gold from grief.”
During the dinner party, Lord Henry says the above quote to Lady Narborough. Through the use of metaphor, Wilde highlights the theme of Illusion vs. Reality. Lord Henry compares the woman's appearance in a stylish gown to an édition de luxe of a bad French novel, highlighting the artificial and excessive nature of her style. By likening her to a luxurious but poorly written novel, Lord Henry emphasizes the lack of depth and authenticity in her style, implying that her outward presentation may be superficial and lacking substance. In addition to metaphor, irony is also present in the quote. The irony lies in the contrast between the woman's extravagant fashion sense and her extraordinary capacity for family affection. While her appearance and fashion choices may convey a sense of superficiality, the author highlights her surprising depth of emotional connection to her family. This irony reveals the idea that looks can be decieveing and challenges the reader's assumptions about the relationship between external presentation and inner character.
The oil painting "The Treachery of Images" (1929) by René Magritte communicates a similar idea. "The Treachery of Images" is a famous surrealist painting that features a realistic depiction of a pipe with the words "Ceci n'est pas une pipe" (translated as "This is not a pipe") written below it. The painting challenges the viewer's perception and raises questions about the nature of representation and the relationship between images and reality. This artwork connects to the theme of illusion versus reality in the passage as it questions the viewer's assumptions and challenges the notion that what we see is always an accurate representation of reality. Just as Lord Henry compares the woman's appearance to a luxurious edition of a bad French novel, Magritte's painting challenges the viewer to question the reality of what they see. "The Treachery of Images" connects to the theme of illusion versus reality portrayed in the passage, inviting viewers to question the authenticity and depth of what they perceive.
American Psycho (2000)
"American Psycho" is a film adaptation of the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, directed by Mary Harron and released in 2000. The movie follows the story of Patrick Bateman, a wealthy and successful investment banker living in 1980s New York City. On the surface, Patrick is a charismatic and well-groomed young man with a privileged lifestyle, obsessed with his appearance, hedonistic lifestyle, and high-end possessions. However, beneath his polished façade, Patrick is a psychopathic serial killer with a deep-seated need for control and a penchant for extreme violence
Duplicity / Illusion VS Reality within American Psycho
In the film "American Psycho" (2000), the theme of duplicity is explored through the character of Patrick Bateman, played by Christian Bale. Patrick presents a façade of normalcy and success to the outside world, while simultaneously harbouring a dark and violent alter ego. Throughout the movie, Patrick engages in a dual existence, maintaining a polished and charming persona in his professional and social circles, while indulging in sadistic and murderous impulses behind closed doors. This stark contrast between his public image and private actions highlights the theme of duplicity.
Contemporary Connection
Both "American Psycho" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray" delve into the theme of hedonism and its consequences, although they are portrayed in different settings. In Oscar Wilde's novel, Dorian Gray embodies hedonism through his pursuit of eternal youth and the pleasure of immoral aestheticism. In becoming fixated on beauty, art, and vanity, he mirrors Patrick Bateman's character in "American Psycho" who demonstrates hedonistic tendencies through his relentless pursuit of material possessions, self-indulgence, and self-gratifying stimulation. As the story progresses, Dorian's portrait becomes a visual representation of his clandestine sins, while Patrick's violent tendencies and lack of empathy showcase his descent into moral degradation. The works explore the consequences of unchecked hedonism, highlighting the destructive nature of excessive self-indulgence and the erosion of moral values.
It's important to note that the themes of spectacles, both literal and metaphorical, play a significant role in exploring the consequences of hedonism and the deterioration of moral standards. Sybil Vane, a poor actress who enchants Dorian through her talents, represents the facade of beauty and vanity, serving as a direct counterpart to Dorian's own hedonistic tendencies. In "American Psycho," Patrick Bateman embodies hedonism through his relentless pursuit of material possessions, self-indulgence, and self-gratifying stimulation. His violent tendencies and lack of empathy illustrate his descent into moral degradation. The inclusion of spectacles, such as attending Broadway theaters like "Les Misérables," where the French Revolution and the June Rebellion are depicted, highlights Bateman's inhumanity and insensitivity. By romanticizing the struggles of the lower class and their oppression, Bateman showcases his detachment from the realities of human suffering and his own moral degradation. Both stories use spectacles as symbols for the charade that is played out in the pursuit of hedonism and the subsequent erosion of moral standards. Through the characters of Sybil Vane and Patrick Bateman, the narratives present contrasting manifestations of hedonistic tendencies and their consequences.
Ultimately, both "American Psycho" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray" serve as cautionary tales, cautioning against the allure of hedonism and its potential to lead one down a path of moral decay.
Artistic Response
For my artistic response, I created a piece of music indulges the audience where my left hand plays low notes and the right hand alternates between high E and C notes, which evokes a sense of uncertainty and symbolizes duplicity. The slow rhythm and gothic atmosphere further enhance this symbolism. The of the strings effect on the electric keyboard adds a haunting and ethereal quality to the composition. The sustained and resonant sound of the strings creates a sense of mystery and unease, which aligns well with the gothic atmosphere. This atmosphere is often associated with themes of darkness, secrets, and hidden intentions. The alternating high E and C notes played by the right hand add to the sense of uncertainty in the song. The repetition and oscillation between these two notes create a tension that mirrors the duality and duplicity found in the theme of the composition. The high E notes can represent a sense of clarity or innocence, while the C notes can symbolize secrecy or hidden motives. The interplay between these notes reflects the conflicting emotions and hidden intentions within the composition. The slow rhythm and the drastic jump from low notes to high notes of the song further enhances the gothic atmosphere and intensifies the sense of uncertainty through the deliberate pacing, as if something is lurking beneath the surface. This slow rhythm allows for a more deliberate and contemplative exploration of the themes of duplicity and uncertainty.
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