ENGLISH HOMEWORK

Lenor Vaknin

Professor Harrison

QS 115

18 November 2014

Wilde Gone Wild

Many people in the late nineteenth century viewed homosexuality as a sin and even believed that the individual, who identified as such, was possessed. In the past, if one were to commit acts of homosexuality, they were shunned upon. It was not only if people were to be interested in the same sex, but also if they were to speak on the subject. Oscar Wilde took an enormous risk by writing a novel with gay characters. This caused the book to be banned up until the 1960’s. In recent years, however, this book has been deemed “okay” for one to read. In fact, many people today do not find this book to be risqué, at all. Although Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray is now accepted, there were many reasons for the book to be banned when it was first released, such as its underlying sexual implications, which caused discomfort for many people.

From the very moment that Basil Hallward and Lord Henry Watton begin their conversation in chapter one of this novel, it is evident that Hallward has taken a liking to the man he has painted, Dorian Gray. When he mistakenly reveals Gray’s name to Lord Watton, he explains, “when I like people immensely, I never tell their names to any one” (Wilde 3). Hallward tells his good friend Watton that he likes Dorian Gray immensely. He then continues to describe that by not telling others the names of whom he fancies, it “seems to bring a great deal of romance into one’s life” (Wilde 3). In different circumstances, this would have been acceptable, in the 1800’s. However, since Basil Hallward is speaking of another male, it was seen as sinful and distasteful.

Being unfaithful was also seen as corrupt. Though Lord Henry Watton is not committing adultery, he still speaks of his marriage in an unjust manner. When the two allies speak of Dorian Gray in chapter one, Watton complains about his wife and Dorian retorts that he “hate[s] the way you talk about your married life, Henry” (Wilde 3). This implies that Lord Watton consistently speaks of his married life in a negative manner. Most likely, Lord Henry Watton is not content with his wife and how they are living together. This may lead to infidelity. Infidelity was seen as, and is still seen as, one of the worst things one can commit.

The Picture or Dorian Gray was banned in the late 1800’s until the 1960’s because of its underlying sexual implications. It was seen as morally wrong to being attracted to the same sex, especially.