The Picture of Dorian Gray is the only novel of Oscar Wilde. In the book, Dorian Gray, Basil Hallward and Lord Henry all deserve wide analyses. It has also attracted a large number of readers because of its beautiful ...The Picture of Dorian Gray is the only novel of Oscar Wilde. In the book, Dorian Gray, Basil Hallward and Lord Henry all deserve wide analyses. It has also attracted a large number of readers because of its beautiful language, affluent images, dramatic plot and strong sense of aestheticism. However, besides from such perspective of art, comparatively, seldom are there analyses focusing on the hero’s mental process to reveal his corruption. In this paper, the author attempts to explain Dorian Gray’s gradual mental erosion through Freudian theory of Eros and study of death instinct. Besides his ideas of hedonism which originates from his Eros, the death of Basil Hallward further reveals his cruel psychology which is part of Eros. And his final tragedy reflects his death instinct. By specific exploration, it is discovered that Dorian’s ending is mainly caused by his Eros, which calls for his cruel mentality to commit crimes and later leads to his death instinct with development.展开更多
文摘The Picture of Dorian Gray is the only novel of Oscar Wilde. In the book, Dorian Gray, Basil Hallward and Lord Henry all deserve wide analyses. It has also attracted a large number of readers because of its beautiful language, affluent images, dramatic plot and strong sense of aestheticism. However, besides from such perspective of art, comparatively, seldom are there analyses focusing on the hero’s mental process to reveal his corruption. In this paper, the author attempts to explain Dorian Gray’s gradual mental erosion through Freudian theory of Eros and study of death instinct. Besides his ideas of hedonism which originates from his Eros, the death of Basil Hallward further reveals his cruel psychology which is part of Eros. And his final tragedy reflects his death instinct. By specific exploration, it is discovered that Dorian’s ending is mainly caused by his Eros, which calls for his cruel mentality to commit crimes and later leads to his death instinct with development.
