The use of ekphrasis in comparison of Edgar Allan Poes´s 'The Oval Portrait' and Oscar Wilde´s 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'

Dossier / Travail , 2007 , 21 Pages , Note: 2,3

Philologie Anglaise - Littérature

Two stories, two authors, two epochs – to compare them will be the purpose of this paper by focussing on the two portraits which are each the important element of their story. At the same time, confusing and paradoxical relationships between art, life and death constitute the thematic centre of both stories. The portraits, as pieces of visual art, are presented in a verbal or ekphrastic form. Why and how are they represented with words? To answer this questions I will first give an overview about ekphrastic theory, second classify the narrative situations, third compare the relations of observer and observed subject and finally by the discussion of their function and importance.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Ekphrastic Theory
• Analysis
  • The narrative structure of "The Oval Portrait" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray"
  • Who watches whom?
  • Ekphrastic characteristics
    • The Titles
    • "The Oval Portrait"
    • "The Picture of Dorian Gray"
  • The importance of the portraits
• Conclusion
• Bibliography

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to compare the use of ekphrasis in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Oval Portrait" and Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray." The analysis focuses on the two portraits as central elements of the stories and explores the complex relationship between art, life, and death. The paper examines the narrative structure, the roles of observer and observed, and the significance of the portraits in both works.

• The role of ekphrasis in literary storytelling
• The relationship between art and life
• The theme of death and its representation in art
• The concept of beauty and its impact on human perception
• The influence of aestheticism and decadence on literary works

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction provides context for the analysis by discussing the authors' respective literary styles and the historical and cultural influences on their works. It highlights the importance of the motif of the beautiful dead woman in Poe's writing and the rise of aestheticism and decadence in Wilde's era. The chapter also introduces the concept of ekphrasis and its relevance to the study of the two stories.

The chapter on ekphrastic theory explores the historical development of the concept, from its origins in ancient Greece to its evolution in the 18th century. It examines different perspectives on ekphrasis, including the epigram, the ekphrastic poem, and the emblem. The chapter also discusses the relationship between language and visual art, and the ways in which ekphrasis can create a sense of illusion and representation.

The analysis chapter delves into the narrative structures of "The Oval Portrait" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray," highlighting the significance of the portraits in shaping the stories. It examines the roles of observer and observed, exploring the power dynamics and psychological complexities of the relationships between the characters and their respective portraits. The chapter also analyzes the ekphrastic characteristics of the stories, focusing on the titles, the descriptions of the portraits, and the ways in which the visual art is integrated into the narrative.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The keywords and focus themes of the text include ekphrasis, "The Oval Portrait," "The Picture of Dorian Gray," Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde, art, life, death, beauty, aestheticism, decadence, observer, observed, narrative structure, portrait, visual art, literary analysis, and literary theory.

• Université: Technical University of Darmstadt (Institut für Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft)
• Cours: Hauptseminar "Literature and Visuality"
• Note: 2,3
• Auteur: Nancy Reinhardt (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2007
• Pages: 21
• N° de catalogue: V131489
• ISBN (ebook): 9783640372515
• ISBN (Livre): 9783640372157
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: Edgar, Allan, Poes´s, Oval, Portrait, Oscar, Wilde´s, Picture, Dorian, Gray