Sexuality, Aesthetics and Morality in 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde

Seminar paper from the year 2016 in the subject Didactics for the subject English - Literature, Works, grade: 1,3, University of Cologne (Englisches Seminar), course: Gender and the Sister Arts, language: English, abstract: Since The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde was first published in 1890, it can be seen as a representation of the Victorian era; a period that lasted uncommonly long from 1837 till 1901. While the length of more than sixty years complicates the exact classification of typical Victorian literary movements, certain recurring ideas and literary approaches can be found in its literature. Especially the conception of art and aesthetics seemed to experience a time of change, reshaping the way in which art was received and the role of the artist in comparison to the spectator. Still, as art seemed to be in a state of carination, the public reception of new artistic attempts was not always positive. Especially the representation of morality and sexuality caused ground for public discontent. A connection of morality, aesthetics and sexuality in The Picture of Dorian Gray that seems to be of high importance for the novel. This paper, therefore, is going to analyse the novel regarding these aspects and the way they influence each other, illuminating whether morality is really depicted as subordinate to an artistic effect or if it is needed in order for the story to advance.