Dorian Gray Poverty

When one thinks of the decadent movement of Aestheticism that Oscar Wilde portrays in his novel Dorian Gray, one thinks of an era where beauty, luxury, and royalty flourish. However, this does not suggest that poverty wasn’t also prominent. A major problem of today’s world as it has been in the past, there’s no denying that poverty is a global dilemma that affects millions. Those unfortunate enough to suffer from poverty may experience hunger and homelessness as well. Lacking the basic necessities of life, many people turn to prostitution, addictions, or crime, feeling as though it is their only way to survive or can serve as an escape from reality. These tireless efforts to survive seem to be in vain, as poverty is one of the major causes of death around the world. Despite the fact that poverty brings misfortune and hardships to millions, this has not stopped …show more content…
The peasants can be seen wearing hats and kerchiefs, as well as heavy and thick clothing in attempts to shelter themselves from the blatant cold that can be found in their home. The room the peasants are seen in is extremely dark, the only light source coming from a small lamp dangling from the ceiling. The lamp shines over the food that lays on the table, centering the viewer’s concern to the food, perhaps even bearing a symbolic meaning, that this meal could be the only bright moment in these peoples’ lives. The ceiling is low and close to the peasants, whom are clustered to the middle, giving the room a small and shabby feel. The house itself can be seen to be dilapidated, run-down, and filthy. The dull colors the painting is mainly composed of, such as brown and black, give off a depressing and melancholy feeling to the painting. The silhouettes of the peasants are in dark colors as well, setting off a monochromic gloom in the