The Picture of Dorian Gray and the Turn of the Screw in...

Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray and Henry James The Turn Of the Screw are key examples of the way in which gothic texts use and adapt the conventions of the genre. These changes occur due to the authors own personal context and values. The inexorable link between text, context and values is expressed through the way in which both authors choose to manipulate, redefine and introduce new conventions to the gothic. Oscar Wildes first and only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, was written in 1890 and was first published in the Lippincott’s monthly magazine. Published before Wilde would reach the height of his career through his critically acclaimed plays, The Picture Of Dorian Gray was received to much scandal and uproar, many†¦show more content†¦It was not until they had examined the ring did they recognize who is was. The supernatural is the element the blinds the whole story together. It leads to the actions of Dorian which inflict horror upon the reader. Wilde does not emphasis this element to much as in the time that we was writing, the supernatural was not believed as easy as it was it in the early period of gothic fiction. Wilde instead highlights his values of realism and his belief that physically beautiful things can be the causes of evil. Themes of the evil and representations of the devil also feature in Dorian Gray. The devil is represented by Lord Henry Wotton – his worldview and words have a profound effect on the innocent minded Dorian, who takes Henrys philosophy into practice. Hence, symbolically Henry is the evil influence upon Dorian. Evil is also showcased through the deal with the devil that Dorian makes. In the beginning of the novel, Dorian desires to sell his soul in order to remain young and beautiful forever. His wish is granted and that sets in motion the path of infamy which Dorian will take. In Wildes time, Morality, Hedonism and cultures obsession with beauty and youth were key issues in society. Wilde understood this and included such themes into Dorian Gray. Hence, making the text relatable and vital to the period in which Dorian Gray was penned. Wilde in Dorian Gray is making a wider statement about society – Victorian era Britain was supposedShow MoreRelatedVictorian Novel9605 Wo rds   |  39 Pagescrucial writers of the period grew up in the earlier years, and had been influenced by the age of English Romanticism. Therefore, although Victorian was modern, materialist, factual and concerned with ‘things as they are’, Romantic, associated with Gothic, melodramatic, idealistic influenced the way novelists wrote in the beginning of the 19th century. I THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NOVEL It was the Industrial Revolution that allowed not only cheap printing and papermaking but also rapid book distribution