One of the most poignant sentences in the story of The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde, and one which can sum up the essence of both story and character is when, at the end, the Art Professor at the University says: As he is no longer beautiful he is no longer useful The prince was once a very happy one, and had been modeled in gilt gold leaves for all the world to see. Everything about him was materialistically perfect: Bejeweled eyes and fingers, gold all over, and so on. Yet, the prince was
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Philip K. Dick once said that, "It is sometimes an appropriate response to reality to go insane" (brainyquote.com). This is a very controversial statement to make, since more often than not, madness is unquestionably inappropriate; for example, in Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. Yet, Dick is right; under specific circumstances, insanity can be righteous, such as in William Shakespeare's Hamlet. In both The Picture of Dorian Gray and Hamlet, with influence, the titular characters descend
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The Picture of Dorian Gray: Literary Analysis Life is like a game of chess, you use the other pieces to your advantage. This is exactly what Dorian did in The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Stepping on the backs of everyone until you stand on top of a mountain of the fallen, how selfish. Dorian proves this theme of learning the results of selfishness when he thinks he is gazing down below from the top, but he is only one step from the edge of despair. The author shows the theme of
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To give an insight into society and humanity whilst still being aesthetically interesting and thought provoking is a feat that only the best of classic literature can accomplish. Dracula, by Bram Stoker (1897) and The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde (1893) are such novels and they both reveal different aspects of life in the Victorian era. Whilst Stoker’s writing affirms the ideas of British supremacy in technology as well as the fear of foreigners, Wilde’s writing sheds light on the superficial
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The playwright Oscar Wilde uses humor to delineate the gravity of the society of the era when the play was written down. Underneath all the facade and the drama,their lies a very crude, rigid society which even deters a person to act according to one’s wish. The era when the play was written down was a very sensitive where the concept of middle class came into being. After the industrial revolution, London undergoes a rapid socio-economic change. People of the gentry became richer and a vivid line
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Clyde Steele Guide to the Universe ASTRO 101 IN Naming the Craters The naming of astronomical objects and their features is accomplished as a thoughtful and time-consuming international effort of the International Astronomical Union. They’re an internationally recognized body that, since 1919, has been in charge of naming features on other worlds within and outside the Solar System. Every feature on every planet and moon in our solar system has a particular theme, for instance, craters on
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A Model Millionaire by Oscar Wilde Oscar Wilde’s short story A Model Millionaire was published in 1887 during the Victorian era (1830-1900). The short story tells us about Hughie Erskine, the happy-go-lucky protagonist who is a poor young man with no profession that gets by on life on a yearly allowance by his aunt. Hughie is in love with Laura and wants to marry her, but her father the colonel will have none of that until Hughie can present a sum of 10,000 pounds. Hughie is friends with Alan
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for pleasure, becomes vain, and only care about his looks. However, Dorian had couple strengths as in he was the most attractive and charming fellow in his town, also he was never afraid to speak his mind, "If Lord Henry Wotton goes I shall go too" (Wilde, 19) it shows that if Dorian wanted something to happen, he will mention it to you in person. Dorian's weaknesses were, he was really easy to influence; Lord Henry played a huge part influencing Dorian in many wrong ways, "Then he rose from the table
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Vanity and Superficiality The literary school of aestheticism is most often tied to themes of shallowness, spiritual neglect, and materialism. Dorian Gray possesses true narcissism in Oscar Wilde’s novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. Narcissism is one of the main components that drive this novel. Dorian is willing to go to any length to preserve his youthful vitality. This novel also has a heavy focus on youth, beauty, and superficiality. Dorian Gray starts his narcissistic spiral downward when
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ridiculously comical and odd comments they make, their eccentric and aloof mannerisms and their general air. Many might look at The Importance of Being Earnest and see it as a play wrought with frivolities and meaninglessness, including author Oscar Wilde himself, who described it as "A trivial comedy for serious people." However, the play does contain a few serious undertones which are subtle enough that most readers (serious people or not) fail to notice them. One of the most noticeable of
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