Introduction to Author
Oscar Wilde was a Anglo- English author, playwright, novelist, critic and poet. He was a popular literary figure in late Victorian England, known for his brilliant wit, flamboyant style. After graduating from Oxford University, he lectured as a poet, art critic and a leading proponent of the principles of aestheticism which emphasized aesthetic values more than moral or social themes. This doctrine can be clearly summarized by the phrase ‘art for art’s sake’. In 1890, he published The Picture of Dorian Gray in Lippincott’s Magazine which interesting falls in moral as well as fantasy category. His only novel which was panned as immoral by Victorian critics, but is now considered one of his most notable works. As he gained …show more content…
Central concepts in Saussure's theory are signifier and signified, which together constitute the sign itself. In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde is dealing with these two concepts - signifier and signified - which acquire quite unexpected roles. While it is not the only symbolic element in the novel, the portrait of Dorian Gray is by far the most evident and central symbol, the theme, around which the story rotates. When used as a literary device, symbolism means to instill objects with a certain meaning that is different from their original meaning or …show more content…
Laburnum flowers :
During the Victorian Era, the upper class was known to maintain proper etiquette. There were particular customs and guidelines, certain behaviors that were prohibited as they were considered inappropriate for different reasons, beginning from subtle flirtation to outright indecency. It was during time period that floriography, also known as the language of flowers, became common in their culture. Setting the scene/tone of the entire novel using flowers-
Oscar Wilde infused floral imagery and symbolism throughout the novel. The first chapter would be an important example. “The studio was filled with the rich odor 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 Picture of Dorian Gray.Wilde tries to introduce a dream – like state of the novel. Flowers are symbolic of a deeper meaning as the novel develops and their use cannot be disregarded. Flowers are usually innocent, they can be harmful in many ways .Laburnum is a poisonous tree just as Dorian appears to innocent but is not and like the Laburnum can be “poisonous” in the lives of many people. “The symbol of the laburnum seems to foretell a lot of plot developments in the book”-
Oscar Wilde was a Anglo- English author, playwright, novelist, critic and poet. He was a popular literary figure in late Victorian England, known for his brilliant wit, flamboyant style. After graduating from Oxford University, he lectured as a poet, art critic and a leading proponent of the principles of aestheticism which emphasized aesthetic values more than moral or social themes. This doctrine can be clearly summarized by the phrase ‘art for art’s sake’. In 1890, he published The Picture of Dorian Gray in Lippincott’s Magazine which interesting falls in moral as well as fantasy category. His only novel which was panned as immoral by Victorian critics, but is now considered one of his most notable works. As he gained …show more content…
Central concepts in Saussure's theory are signifier and signified, which together constitute the sign itself. In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde is dealing with these two concepts - signifier and signified - which acquire quite unexpected roles. While it is not the only symbolic element in the novel, the portrait of Dorian Gray is by far the most evident and central symbol, the theme, around which the story rotates. When used as a literary device, symbolism means to instill objects with a certain meaning that is different from their original meaning or …show more content…
Laburnum flowers :
During the Victorian Era, the upper class was known to maintain proper etiquette. There were particular customs and guidelines, certain behaviors that were prohibited as they were considered inappropriate for different reasons, beginning from subtle flirtation to outright indecency. It was during time period that floriography, also known as the language of flowers, became common in their culture. Setting the scene/tone of the entire novel using flowers-
Oscar Wilde infused floral imagery and symbolism throughout the novel. The first chapter would be an important example. “The studio was filled with the rich odor 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 Picture of Dorian Gray.Wilde tries to introduce a dream – like state of the novel. Flowers are symbolic of a deeper meaning as the novel develops and their use cannot be disregarded. Flowers are usually innocent, they can be harmful in many ways .Laburnum is a poisonous tree just as Dorian appears to innocent but is not and like the Laburnum can be “poisonous” in the lives of many people. “The symbol of the laburnum seems to foretell a lot of plot developments in the book”-