Untitled - Vysoká škola technická a ekonomická v Českých ...

Šulistová, J.: Aestheticism principles based on Oscar Wilde’s 125manages to persuade him that it was not his fault and invites Dorian to joinhim in watching a theatre play. So instead of brooding over the sad matter,Dorian enjoys himself. Or similarly when Basil asks Dorian for explanationof all those gossips spread about him, Dorian gets angry with the painter andsimply kills him in a fit of rage. And his main worry is to dispose of the deadbody. And also the encounter with Alan Campbell illustrates this attribute.Dorian summons Alan, a scientist, to help him get rid of the body in the attic.If Allan refuses, Dorian is prepared to blackmail him. Mr Campbell does whathe was asked for and shortly afterwards he commits suicide. Dorian does notfeel sorry at all, still sure that he is not guilty.The Non-Responsibility PrincipleNext principle shows life free of responsibility. Dorian has influenced manyyoung men who look up to him and try to imitate his way of dressing, his manners,and his carefree attitude to life. They pay a high price for this adoration.Some of them are made to leave England, others lose their status in the societyor become drug addicted... . Dorian does not represent trouble for young menonly, he is a threat to young women as he leaves them heart-broken withouta slightest interest in their future. Lord Henry is a key example of this feature.Although married himself, he seeks love adventures (swept off his feet by Doriantoo) and gives people willing to listen to him advice on how to lead a happy life.”Nowadays most people die of a sort of creeping common sense, and discoverwhen it is too late that the only things one never regrets are one’s mistakes.” 4ConclusionThis book shows us a comeback of some Greek and Renaissance attributessuch as hedonism or homoeroticism which were supposed to boost the stiffVictorian period. On the other hand, it can serve as a warning against theleading of double life; the beginning was very promising, a young handsomeman with a possible bright future, full of optimism, enthusiasm and with greatexpectations. However, everything became spoilt due to his immense vanity,conceit and arrogance which were supported by Lord Henry (he representeda total loss of morality). He was a hunter who turned into a prey.The principles stated above can be seen in our society too. The beautifulappearance next to the youth can open many doors which have not been andwill not be open to those who lack them regardless their personal features. Thepeople like a painter Basil do not speak loud enough, so they are not voiced veryoften and also they seem to be too average. To be listened to. One usually hasto attract the attention in a negative way. The community sometimes resemblesthe novel in this respect. The non-regret and life free of responsibility principlestend to get more and more popular with certain social classes depending on agetoo.4 Wilde, Oscar: The Picture of Dorian Gray, Penguin Books,1994 London, p. 51