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In literary works, allusions exist in order to create deeper meanings within the text. When a reader recognizes and understands a reference, it allows them to appreciate the work on a different level. The Picture of Dorian Gray contains many parallels to the myth of Narcissus. Much like Narcissus, Dorian Gray is blessed with entrancing beauty, develops obsessive love for his own image, and wastes away due to that love. To begin with, both texts describe in detail how beautiful the young men are…

Many people live in a world that leads them to struggle with social problems regarding their physical appearances and family relationships. However, this can easily result in a limiting mindset and disappearance of individuality as others struggle to fit into society’s “correct answers.” Instead of questioning society’s views, people are submissive and fail to rise up for changes. The film Little Miss Sunshine is an effective contemporary interpretation of an archetypal journey based on…

In the novel of The Death of Ivan Ilyich and The Picture of Dorian Gray, both main characters landed up in a place of desolation and unhappiness through their heavy pursuit of what they thought would give them happiness. Both characters started off young with a large potential for happiness by following their own individual pursuits, but instead the route that they took ultimately lead them down a slippery slope of tragedy and melancholy. They followed a way of denial from the factors that would…

statement because it is up to the writer to counteract the negative influences that society consumes. Without the writer trying to push society to preserve itself, civilization’s own deterioration would be inevitable. This idea is seen in both The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, where the writers fulfill their duties…

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a creation of Oscar Wilde’s consciousness and unconsciousness and consequently exposes his dissociative identity disorder, or multiple personality. This novel is by all means "a well-written book" known not only for its attractive…

in Character: The Picture of Dorian Gray Throughout life, each person becomes a product of their actions, decisions, and choices, which are often influenced by members of society or societal norms; it molds their character and defines their personality. Many times these actions can cause breakthroughs in one’s life, however other times it can compromise ones reputation and level of respect in society’s social hierarchy. The author, Oscar Wilde, in his classical novel, The Picture of Dorian…

The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde, is one of the most amusing and entertaining books to read and just because of the amount of wit and intelligence that can be found in it. Every conversation is a contest on who can make the wittiest comment, though usually won by Lord Henry Wotton. Lord Henry is a master in the art of conversation and uses epigrams to convey his intelligence. Though wit and intelligence play a large role in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Wit and intelligence is shown in…

We can all agree that the Youngers as well as the Hoovers had some sort of dysfunctionality in their families. In both films, each character challenges social norms in one way or another. In Little Miss Sunshine, Olive goes against the norms of her society by entering a beauty pageant where society puts absurd beauty standards for little girls. In the film “A Raisin in the Sun”, Beneatha goes up against all the norms of that era, and attends college. Beneatha strives to become one of the first…

You have disappointed me.” After his decision, Dorian believes he made an awful mistake, and he must keep the promise of marrying Sibyl. Wilde uses imagery to convey his feelings, “The birds that were singing in the dew drenched garden seemed to be telling the flowers about her.” Dorian’s young and gullible views on life have been altered by Lord Henry as depicted after Dorian learns of Sibyl’s death; Dorian is unaffected due to the influence Lord Henry has on him, “Dorian, you mustn’t let this…

monsters among society. However, the idea of a monster presents ambiguous interpretations. In truth, a monster signifies the compilation of human fears. Beneath the exterior, the true monster lies within a person’s soul. In both Frankenstein and The Picture of Dorian Gray, both authors, Mary Shelley and Oscar Wilde, use their novels to express the fallacy of external appearances and the corruption of human…