Dorian Gray - devil or rebel?

Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2, University of Paderborn, language: English, abstract: Introduction This essay is a contribution to a seminar in English Literature studies in detail a seminar about novels of the 19th century. It is assumed that the reader of this essay is familiar with the novel “the Picture of Dorian Gray” written by Oscar Wilde and first published in 1891. As basic knowledge the reader should consider the circumstances in Great Britain during the reign of Queen Victoria including the prevailing moral views. Some key words to describe the Victorian Age are prudish, repressed and old-fashioned. However, this age was also the time when reforms, innovations and revolutions took place or were about to begin. “Above all it was an age of paradox and power” In this essay only some chosen aspects are taken into account for answering the topic question such as the character’s position in the Victorian Society, his violation of the code of conduct in that society and his resemblance of Lucifer. There are two main parts in this essay the first deals with Dorian Gray as a rebel and the second and last takes a closer look on Dorian Gray’s develish features. In the end the reader has read many pro and contra arguments and finds a brief conclusion as an answer to the question of the title.