Homosexuality in Wildes Picture of Dorian Grey :: essays research papers

A critical analysis of Oscar Wildes only novel would admit that it is in fact a homosexual allegory of doomed, forbidden passion. The human kind between Lord total heat and Dorian, as well as common basil and Dorian is, clearly Homoerotic and mustve shocked Victorian alliance. Although Wilde halts bypass of stating that Basil and Lord Henry keep sexual feelings for Dorian , the speech he uses to describe their devotion for Dorian is unmistakably the language of deep, quixotic intimacy. Tell me more about Mr. Dorian Gray. How often do you look into him?. Every day. I couldnt be happy if I didnt see him everyday. He is absolutely necessary to me. This common motif of homosexual bonds between men plays a large role in structuring the novel. Basils impression is born from his adoration of Dorians beauty , comparatively Lord Henry is strike with desire to seduce Dorian. This sense of camaraderie between men fits into Wildes esthetic values, for it returns him to his past where the philosophy of beauty was not only the basis of society but fundamental to culture. As a homosexual living in an intolerant society, Wilde asserted this philosophy in order to justify his make lifestyle. Its quite obvious that men have do have relationships with women in the novel- Dorian falls in love with sibyl and Lord Henry himself is married, but these heterosexual relationships are short lived. Victoria Wotton like or so of the women in the novel is depicted with no real depth, she is briefly introduced, never to be heard from again. Made clear in Lord Henrys poster of sibyl, women are a decorative sex , her character is of little meat also, as it becomes clear in the subsequent chapters when she so easily gives up her greatest talent in order to pursue a relationship with Dorian.