Graham's Magazine

Jerusha McCormack discusses in her critical essay ‘Wilde’s fiction(s)’ the different ways in which Oscar Wilde’s life was influenced by his literal works, as well as how his works have had an impact in his life, especially the trials about his sexuality which led to his imprisonment. The essay is separated into seven parts. Each of these parts show themes of Dandyism and Wilde’s homosexuality. There is also an ongoing theme of duality throughout the essay, in Wilde’s mixed origin of being…

Oscar Wilde’s classic novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray has been adapted into many film, T.V. shows, and specials since its publication. Detail changes in the movie adaptation Dorian Gray (2009) portrays a more innocent Dorian than The Picture of Dorian Gray. From the beginning, Dorian Gray creates sympathy for the title character by emphasizing his traumatic childhood. The film shows awful scars across Dorian’s back while Basil is painting him, encouraging the audience to pity the young…

Axel Graham Knight 3 British Lit. 23 March 2016 Very rough draft What is the definition of a monster? Is it a slimey creature that hides in the closets of children, or perhaps creature with teeth sharper than steak knives? Nearly infinite definitions exist, but The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley help to paint a clear picture of what a monster actually is. Frankenstein and Lord Henry are used to show that a true monster is someone that ruins the lives…

A split identity creates an internal struggle for an individual. One has to battle within themselves to determine which identity is their true self. In literature, the use of a doppelganger or a double allows the reader to see the internal struggle of the character expressed externally – essentially uncovering a hidden nature. In the deathbed confession style tale of “William Wilson” by Edgar Allen Poe, a young man by the name of William Wilson travels the world attempting to escape his double.…

Oscar Wilde is a well-known novelist. When Oscar Wilde published his novel it became the most famous playwright in London. It has been documented by others that Wilde uses his characters to portray the dangers of negative influences. Patrick Duggan once wrote, "Dorian lives according to what Lord Henry professes without hesitation, and how Lord Henry inspires Dorian." Duggan explains how Dorian Gray values Lord Henry's philosophy over anything else. In the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar…

In “The Painter of Modern Life,” Charles Baudelaire gives his definition and explanation about the true beauty of art. In the first section “Beauty, Fashion, and Happiness,” Baudelaire shows his concern about the “present” in the painting because he thought that the beauty of the art is “its essential quality of being present” (p.1). In the following passage, Baudelaire uses a lot of words to praise a man named as “Monsieur G” in the essay. He describes Monsieur G, just like the title of this…

"All art is quite useless"(Wilde, XVI) is the phrase Wilde concludes his preface with. The preface, which was added after The Picture of Dorian Gray received severe backlash, condemns the over-analyzation of art. Society was not ready for the aestheticism lifestyle and scandalous behaviours that were glorified in the novel, and they criticized Wilde for his radical ideas and degenerate characters. Wilde felt that it was preposterous that people were offended by art, as its sole purpose is to…

Edmond Dantès, the protagonist, is the epiphany of innocence during a time of immense turmoil. His journey from a freeman and soon-to-be husband into a prison of the state then into one of the most powerful men in Paris. This shows the jealousy and cruelty of humans while also establishing the gay youth of Edmond. He is betrayed by those whom he was meant to trust the most and painted into a Bonapartist. Still though, he dreams of the days he wishes to spend with his love. He still has hopes…

Painting the Canvas of the Psyche “I can resist everything but temptation” (Oscar Wilde). Temptation and influences exist all around an individual and it is up to them to choose what can or cannot be of effect. The strength to resist this temptation and influence stems from one’s mental state; the human psyche is similar to a blank canvas. Like the canvas, external and internal forces are what cause changes in a person. As these forces influence an individual their mind is distorted and their…

Influence In the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, the main character, Dorian Gray, turns towards a life of sin that ultimately leads to his death. These actions were influenced greatly by Lord Henry. Although Dorian cannot be without blame as he made the final decision of each action, Lord Henry can be considered the antagonist in this novel as he influences Dorian’s dreadful sins, and succeeds in making Dorian live his life for art and forget moral responsibility. When Dorian…