Introduction
“I speak the truth of tomorrow”i Lord Henry says on being asked to defend his “throne” as Prince Paradox. Although one of his usually witty answers in high society conversation, this indubitably self-confident statement leads to a general question: The “New Hedonism” as presented in Oscar Wilde’s novel The Picture
of Dorian Gray, does it anticipate developments and structures of our modern society? To find an adequate answer to the question is the task of this research paper. Starting with an analysis of the theory presented by Lord Henry Wotton, there follows an overall view of the philosophy’s intellectual background.
Afterwards, the look at Dorian’s life under the influence of the hedonistic model shall give first impressions of its practical effects. These three chapters therefore deal with the “New Hedonism” directly related to the novel itself and to its author Oscar Wilde.
The second part of the paper then centres around the present situation. After introductory clarifications to the term “Erlebnisgesellschaft” and to general social changes, it scrutinises modern society for parallels to the outstanding pillars of the
hedonistic programme. These are on the one hand self-realisation and the motive to be always seeking sensations, and on the other hand the cult of youth and beauty mania. Eventually, the findings of that examination end up in a conclusion which shall also serve as an outlook.
Concerning the research done in this special field, it astonishes that there was only one work to be found which explicitly dealt with the relation between the “New Hedonism” in The Picture of Dorian Gray and modern society, namely a chapter of Norbert Kohl’s Oscar Wilde biography. Due to this circumstance, the literature
consulted is clearly divided into two sectors: literary science and sociology. For the latter, it was the study “Die Erlebnis-gesellschaft” by Gerhard Schulze which was used as a main reference. Thus, syntactic fusion of German and English might be excused.
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The New Hedonism
2.1. “A fresh impulse of joy” – the theory itself
2.2. The background – the theory as philosophical heritage
2.3. Learning by doing – the theory in practical test
3. A “Dorian-Gray-Society”?
3.1. Live your life – a sensation project
3.2. A very demanding ideal: youthfulness and beauty
4. The truth of tomorrow? - The problem of today!
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This research paper examines whether the hedonistic philosophy presented in Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray anticipates the psychological and structural characteristics of modern society. By analyzing Lord Henry Wotton’s "New Hedonism" and Dorian Gray’s practical application of these ideals, the study draws parallels to contemporary social phenomena, particularly the focus on self-realization and the pursuit of sensations in an affluent society.
- The theoretical foundations of "New Hedonism" in Oscar Wilde’s work.
- The influence of philosophical heritage and Aestheticism on the protagonist.
- Sociological parallels between Victorian decadence and the modern "sensation-seeking society" (Erlebnisgesellschaft).
- The societal cult of youth and beauty as a substitute for experience and maturity.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. “A fresh impulse of joy“ – the theory itself
“The aim of life is self-development. To realise one’s nature perfectly – that is what each of us is here for. People are afraid of themselves, nowadays. They have forgotten the highest of all duties, the duty that one owes to one’s self (II, 25).” Thus, according to Lord Henry Wotton, the imperative of a full and satisfying life must be to live up all emotions, all desires one fosters freely:
I believe that if one man were to live out his life fully and completely, were to give form to every feeling, expression to every thought, reality to every dream – I believe that the world would gain such a fresh impulse of joy that we would forget all the maladies of mediævalism, and return to the Hellenic ideal – to something finer, richer than the Hellenic ideal it may be (II, 25).
Self-denial therefore results in emotional sickness, the restriction to “the standard of one’s age” is to be considered as the “grossest immorality (VI, 92).” Nothing but self-realisation is of importance – a culte du moi which centres around the subject and the impressions it gets from a particular situation. These impressions or rather experiences are all the more attractive, the more they appeal to the individuality and stimulate the subject. No wonder then that Lord Henry calls upon his pupil: “Be always searching for new sensations. Be afraid of nothing... (II, 30).”
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the research question regarding whether Oscar Wilde's "New Hedonism" anticipates modern societal structures and outlines the methodology combining literary analysis with sociological concepts.
2. The New Hedonism: This section analyzes the hedonistic theory propagated by Lord Henry Wotton, tracing its intellectual origins to Hellenic ideals and Aestheticism, and examines its practical implementation through Dorian Gray.
3. A “Dorian-Gray-Society”?: This chapter investigates contemporary society through the lens of Gerhard Schulze’s "Erlebnisgesellschaft," drawing parallels between Victorian ideals and modern behaviors regarding sensation-seeking and the cult of youth.
4. The truth of tomorrow? - The problem of today!: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, confirming that the hedonistic patterns in the novel are reflected in modern consumer behavior and the societal obsession with youth, while warning of the inevitable disillusionment inherent in such a lifestyle.
Keywords
Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, New Hedonism, Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian Gray, Sensation-seeking society, Erlebnisgesellschaft, Aestheticism, Self-realization, Cult of youth, Beauty mania, Modern society, Individualism, Moral deterioration, Consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the connection between the hedonistic philosophy depicted in Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray and the structural and psychological features of modern contemporary society.
What are the central thematic fields explored?
The study focuses on the "New Hedonism" as a philosophy, the sociological concept of the "Erlebnisgesellschaft" (sensation-seeking society), and the contemporary cult of youth and beauty.
What is the primary research objective?
The goal is to determine if the hedonistic program advocated in the novel serves as a precursor to modern societal developments, specifically the shift from utilitarian living to a focus on sensation and personal gratification.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The work employs a comparative methodology, integrating literary science with sociological studies—primarily Gerhard Schulze’s theory of the "Erlebnisgesellschaft"—to analyze the parallels between the fictional world of the novel and real-world social traits.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body examines the specific pillars of Lord Henry Wotton’s philosophy (self-realization and sensation-seeking), the historical and philosophical heritage behind these ideas, and how these concepts manifest in modern media and social life.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Oscar Wilde, New Hedonism, sensation-seeking, self-realization, cult of youth, beauty mania, and societal decadence.
How does the portrait in the novel function as a symbol for modern society?
The portrait represents the hidden decay resulting from the relentless pursuit of sensation, paralleling how modern society often masks the negative consequences of its superficial, beauty-obsessed ideals through constant novelty and consumption.
What conclusion does the author draw regarding the "New Hedonism"?
The author concludes that while the "New Hedonism" provides an alluring framework for the individual, it ultimately leads to a "circulus vitiosus" (vicious circle) of deception and loss of meaning, mirroring the problems faced by modern audiences who prioritize sensation above all else.
- Quote paper
- Geoffrey Schöning (Author), 2000, Oscar Wilde: The Picture of Dorian Gray - Youth Cult and Illusion of Beauty. The new Hedonism in Light of our Society of Experience, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/3151
