Wilde’s aestheticism is foundationally different because he is Irish, thus it allows him to disconnect himself from the framework of British aestheticism, which the likes of Pater followed so rigorously. His detachment from the ‘aesthetic literary rules’ meant he was able to launch a full-scale attack on the British bourgeois class corruption through vice. Through the use of his own framework Wilde’s Irishness becomes of the upmost importance, as he
In the 1800’s, America was the subject of many romantic visions and musings. The British and East Coasters alike saw everything west of Appalachia as a wild wonderland: home to cowboys, adventure, and opportunity. Oscar Wilde, a renowned British author and satirist, voyaged across America to test the truth of these claims. Afterwards, he published his findings and opinions in a piece known as Impressions of America. In the piece, he makes it clear that America did not live up to his expectations, and would disappoint his readers as well.
By manifesting the internalized deterioration of Dorian’s soul into a physical entity of art, Wilde implements the use of the portrait as a double character and exhibits the influence Dorian’s double has on his life. For instance, paranoid of the thought of another person laying eyes of his portrait, it states that
Wilde utilizes artistic forms to suggest the upper class’s obsession with materialism in order to critique their disregard for moral depravity. Throughout the novel, Wilde utilizes Basil’s portrait of Dorian Gray, Sybil’s acting, and Dorian’s obsessions to combat the usage of Social Darwinism to justify the
He starts his inquiry from a critical and theoretical point of view, and he considers the ancient practice of the ekphrasis as follows: “It was, then, a device intended to interrupt the temporality of discourse, to freeze it during its indulgence in spatial exploration” (Krieger 1992, 7). As a starting point of his study he accepts Spitzer’s definition of the ekphrasis. He proposes to expand the usage of the term in a wider context and he states: “Even while deferring the special connection between ekphrasis and works of the plastic arts, I will broaden the range of possible ekphrastic objects by re-connecting ekphrasis to all ‘word-painting’” (Krieger 1992, 9). The term “word-painting” that he uses stands for the descriptions of visual works of art. Thus, he applies the term ekphrasis not only to mere words that describe an “objets d’art” as Spitzer mentioned, but more extensively, to the capacity of the words within the language to describe pictorial works of art.
Exekias’ conformation with the know black-figure technique had the viewers’ of this amphora take him seriously and not have to wonder about any different or new techniques like red-figure painting. The viewers could focus solely on the craftsmanship that Exekias displayed in the painting of the figures and design. History knows of his “excellence of craftsmanship and brushwork, crispness and control of detail balance and power of composition” (Pedley page 198). The precise details that Exekias put into his painting made his pieces great for centers at large gatherings where people would be able to admire the work put in while discussing the scene that are depicted. The people at the gathering would have wanted reasons to admire the great work of art so they would start discussing it in detail.
Art can be all things or art can be very little. It all comes down to whether this society and the people inhabiting it believes it is. Most of the time, art is something that appeals to the audience. Although, there are specific things that the audience wants to see when they look for art. There are also many things that the audience wants to know about the work.
Ekphrasis and Aestheticism in Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wilde was a famous author and playwright, well known for both his literary works and the drama that surrounded his personal life. Born in Dublin in 1854, Wilde attended both Trinity College and Magdalen College, distinguishing himself early on as a classically talented individual. Upon graduation, he moved to London to pursue a literary career. With his charm and exuberance, he was quickly accepted into many prestigious social circles. His friend Frank Harris described him as “not only an admirable talker but […] invariably smiling, eager, full of life and the joy of living, and above all given to unmeasured praise of whatever and whoever pleased him (Harris 4).” As well as being charismatic and likeable, Wilde was extremely witty; he had a way with words that served him well both in his career and in his personal relationships.
Dickens uses three different stylistic techniques to convey his overall attitude towards the social conditions in France, which was contemplative. Dickens describes the landscape of France in great detail, highlighting the potential in the farmlands of France. The next technique that was used was syntax. Dickens repeated certain words in order to put a greater emphasis on them. Without this technique, the reader would not have the same understanding of the poverty of France.
Faulkner uses characterization to exhibit Emily’s isolation and resistance to change. It is apparent throughout the story she develops an attachment to those around her. For example, Faulkner shows the readers how she could not accept the reality of her father’s death. This is supported through this statement in the passage