The Influences of Oscar Wilde The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Influences of Oscar Wilde Throughout his life Oscar Wilde had many strong influences exerted upon him. During his early childhood his mother influenced him and into college some of his professors and certain philosophers left a substantial impression upon him. Into adulthood these influences leaked out in his writing. These influences gave him ample ideas for writing The Picture of Dorian Gray. Wildes study of the Hellenistic ideals of Epicurus, his coddled lifestyle as a child and his devotion to the movement of Aesthetics and Moral Ambiguity have produced one of the most astounding works of horror fiction. Oscar Wilde more effeminate attitude toward life and the way he looked at beauty can be attributed to his mother, Speranza.†¦show more content†¦But the most important influence at Oxford was Walter Pater, Fellow at Brasenose College and the writer of the sensational Studies in the History of the Renaissance (1873). PaterS skepticism and the belief that followed, that the study of ones private experience is more fruitful than the study of a chaotic external world, represented an exciting contrast to conventional social and moral wisdom. For a sensitive young undergraduate like Wilde to learn that the aim of life is to cultivate the deepest response to what is beautiful profound, or curious is to place in front of him an irresistibly attractive way of life.(Ericksen 17) This indicates that Pater was a direct influence on Wildes insatiable love for beauty which spilled over into The Picture of Dorian Gray. During his college years Wilde also came across the teaching of Epicurus, a Greek philosopher who lived from 342-270 B.C.E. and taught that pleasure was the highest good. He was active during the Hellenistic period and had a defining influence on those defined as Aesthetes and Decadents, particularly Walter Pater and his occasional disciple Oscar Wilde.(Terpening 1) The Victorian aesthetes, such as Wilde and Pater concerned themselves with sense-perception, wholeness, and the soul. It was the belief of Wilde that the exterior beauty of a man conceals inner moral decrepitude to those who do not contemplate in earnest . . . Dorian GraysShow MoreRelated The Influence of Lord Henry in The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde2378 Words   |  10 Pages In analyzing Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, concepts such as influence and the origin of evil in Dorian Gray play an exceptionally valuable role in understanding the motives of the characters. Although some critics argu e characters such as Lord Kelso significantly influence Dorian’s corruption, Lord Henry Wotton’s toxic personality undeniably impacts Dorian the most. 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