Exploring the Tangible Conscience in The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Authors

Chasib M Mezban Alezeirj, FIUFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Major/Program

English

First Advisor's Name

Maneck H. Daruwala

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Michael Patrick Gillespie

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Third Advisor's Name

Michael Grafals

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

Conscience, Dorian, Wilde, Narcissism, Portrait, Language, Superego, Memory, Mask, Shield.

Date of Defense

11-10-2022

Abstract

Abstract

This thesis explores the Tangible Conscience in The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde and its roles and defines conscience to clarify many of the discussed concepts. The paper focuses on the psychological aspect of the novel, so I use psychoanalytic theory alongside definitions of conscience by Sigmund Freud, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Christine Korsgaard. I combine this with close textual reading to analyze parts of the story. This methodology also evokes queries about the latent psychic semantics and their relation to the text.

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a psychological hypothesis through which Oscar Wilde presents a visible, tangible conscience with a weight and a form that people can better understand and which allows them to imagine the conscience. Wilde also displays the power of language and its effect on the brain in changing behavior and habits, so he created the character of Lord Henry, who has a language that affects young people who have no principles. Finally, Basil is a talented artist who manages to paint the painting that creates the conflict, leading to his murder and Dorian's death while trying to kill his conscience. Basil's painting provides a visual and tangible definition of conscience. Moreover, it reveals the influences that affect it.

The Picture of Dorian Gray will continue to encourage people to pay attention to their actions, consult their consciences, and establish acceptable pasts so that the day may not come when remorse will be great, as happened to Dorian when he refused to accept his past and killed himself.

Identifier

FIDC010890

Recommended Citation

Alezeirj, Chasib M Mezban, "Exploring the Tangible Conscience in The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde" (2022). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 5182.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/5182