Dorian Gray Research Paper

Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray is not a typical gothic novel. When read superficially, it seems to lack many key motifs that appear in gothic literature, and to simply be a work of science fiction, a plain story of good versus evil. At a closer look at the characters, motifs, symbolism, and an understanding of the history at the time, it becomes clear that Wilde created a brilliant novel, abundant with gothic themes. A gothic novel is characterized by an atmosphere of mystery and horror, and is commonly filled with motifs and characters such as the supernatural, the devil, magical objects, doppelgangers, and the use of science for an immoral purpose. The most memorable and most obvious of these in The Picture of Dorian Gray, is the supernatural nature of the portrait of Dorian Gray. When first presented to Dorian by

During this time science was seen as something bad and sinister. This idea was extremely popular in gothic novels, including books like Frankenstein. We see science appear as a theme twice in the Wilde’s novel. First, in Dorian’s friend Alan Campbell, a scientist who assisted him in destroying the body of Basil Hallward. Campbell enters, “... carrying a large mahogany chest of chemicals, with a long coil of steel and platinum wire, and two rather curiously shaped iron clamps.” The description of the scientist’s equipment creates a dark, horrific tone, and their use is anything but lovely. When Campbell exits, “There was a horrible smell of nitric acid in the room. But the thing that had been sitting at the table was gone.” The second science theme refers us back to Henry Wotton. Throughout the novel, the relationship between Henry and Dorian resembles that between a scientist and his lab rat. “… Dorian Gray was a subject, and seemed to promise rich and fruitful results.” Henry often speaks of Dorian as a study, and his diction is rather scientific in regards to Mr.