The Picture Of Dorian Gray Symbolism Essay

Topic: Oscar Wilde uses symbolism to embody the differences in social classes in ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ (pages 100-101)
Oscar Wilde promotes the inevitable contrast of the three social classes (lower class, bourgeoisie and aristocracy) through his novel, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, by utilizing symbolism[a]. Throughout the novel, this recurring theme is expressed by Wilde through the actions and expressions of his fictional characters. Fixating on the first two pages of chapter 10, the motif is exemplified through three characters; Dorian, Victor (Dorian’s servant), and Mrs. Leaf (Dorian’s housekeeper). The diversity of the social assortments is undoubtedly depicted within the contents of the initial paragraph itself. As the servant

He was the sole person who had the ability to pause and take in the beauty of the ‘large purple satin coverlet heavily embroidered with gold’, for the lower and middle class occupants (Leaf and Victor) were occupied with endless tasks. Noting the social classes of both Mrs. Leaf and Dorian, Mrs. Leaf giving Dorian the key to access art is equivalent to saying the lower/mi[c]ddle class gives the aristocracy the key to access art. This scene is truly symbolic for it empowers the ideology that the upper class consumes the art, however the presence of the other two classes is what gives the aristocracy that ability; it’s what gives them the power to exist. Wilde’s creations in these first few paragraphs within the tenth chapter suggest the characteristics that the social classes valued. With each example, he indirectly gives the audience clues on how every class is submissive to aristocracy in one way or another. With each circumstance, Dorian finished on top with complementary time while the remaining characters had responsibilities and tasks to fulfill. Although this book may belong to a different era that some say doesn’t exist anymore, the ideology of separating society into