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Homosexuality
Introduction
It is a well documented fact; homosexuality is the romantic and sexual attraction between members of the same sex. It refers to the person sense of social and personal identity based on attractions of the same gender. There two common adjectives used to refer homosexuality; lesbian and gay. Lesbian refers to women while gay refer to men. Without doubt; homosexual relationships is admired by some while condemned by some throughout history. In this regard, The Picture of Dorian Gray ‘is one of the books said to underlie homosexual tension. With this in mind, this paper seeks to analyze Picture of Dorian Gray using direct examples that portray homosexuality.
According to Wilde (10), the picture of Dorian Gray is a novel published by Oscar Wilde printed in 1890. In brief, the novel narrates the story of a young man named Dorian Gray subject to painting by artist Basil Hallward. In facts, Basil is impressed by Dorian’s beauty who later becomes infatuated with him with a belief that, his beauty is responsible for the new model in his art. Dorian begins to indulge in pleasure and immoral behaviors. With this and many more, The Picture of Dorian Gray is the novel that deserves credit as the pioneering of depiction of homosexuality relationships. It is with no doubt; homosexuality reader would respond to the book undercurrent of gay feeling in addition, would find the very name of Dorian in the sense that, it was Dorian tribesmen that introduce homosexuality into Greece.
In addition, Wilde’s said the main characters are a reflection of him. In this aspect, Wilde’s attitude toward homosexuality in the novel is seen in the portrayal of Basil Hollaward. He becomes infatuated by Dorian’s beauty. Hallward is also portrayed to be morally sensitive in the sense that, he represents the idealized Platonized homosexuality connected to the art and philosophy. In essence, Basil Hollaward love towards Dorian is best shown in his paintings based upon the adoration of the Dorian’s beauty.
Similarly, Gillespie (3) argue that, Henry is overcome by the desire of seducing Dorian by molding him into realization of a type. As a homosexual living within the prejudiced society, Wilde asserted this philosophy in an attempt to justify his lifestyle. In reality, for Wilde, homosexuality is portrayed as the sign of a refined culture and not a sordid voice. For example, he portrays this during the trial of the indecency between men as well the affection between a younger and an older man.
In conjunction with this, Lord Henry portrays homosexuality nature in the aspect of preferring the company of Dorian to that of his wife to the extent he consistently expresses the misogynist views. He goes to the extent of worshipping the youthful male beauty embodied by Dorian. As a result, he encourages Dorian to give full rein to his secret desires suggesting that, he acknowledges sexual attraction to men. The language used by Lord Henry describes the homosexuality attitudes best shown in admiring the people of the same sex (Gillespie 5).
Interestingly, both Lord Henry and Basil are attracted to Dorian Gray on account of the great physical beauty. It is a well-documented fact; Basil insists that his love for Dorian is intellectual, and noble and there is no reason for doubting him. In this case, he speaks about Dorian as in the facts of man who would speak about his lover. Additionally, he sublimates the erotic dimensions of his feelings to Dorian into his arts. It is with no doubt; the novel best presents the theme of homosexuality (Wilder 5).
Conclusion
In facts, the picture of Dorian Gray best portrays the theme of homosexuality. Underlying the homosexual tension is found between Basil, Lord Henry to Dorian. With regard, these characters reveal homosexual behavior. With this in mind, this paper has analyzed Picture of Dorian Gray using direct examples that portray homosexuality.
Work cited
Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. New York: Plain Label Books, 2009. Print
Gillespie, Michael. The picture of Dorian Gray: “what the world thinks me. California: Twayne Publishers, 1995. Print
Wilder, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray and Other Writings. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2005. Print
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