Victorian Blog #1: Historical Context

Realism

"Some day I will show the world what it is; and for that reason the world chall never see my portrait of Dorian Gray." -pg 15

This quote from the book shows realism. Realism was taken on by the later Victorian novelists but the influence of romanticism did not completely disappear when realism appeared. In fact, most successful novelists combined both elements. In this quotes, Basil states that he will show reality to the world through his art and that is why he will not show the picture of Dorian Gray. Basil is saying that the beauty of Dorian is not realistic and that is why he will not exhibit the painting. He is also saying that the world is not as perfect as it thinks it is. This quote also shows irony in  a way. As Wilde talks of romanticism and the beauty of nature, he gives his character the the thought and power of realism. Wilde uses romanticism in his setting and realism in his characters. He uses both historical contexts and that is why it this important. The realism in the characters helps the reader get a better understanding of the plot of the story.

Victorian Blog #1: Historical Context

Influence of Romanticism

Through out the novel, Wilde uses a lot of imagery do describe the setting and the environment in which Basil works in. This is the influence of romanticism as it focuses on the awe-inspiring beauty of nature. Wilde never talks about the factories belching smoke and hungry children begging on the streets because it will then take away from the plot of the story. He instead talks about the beauty of nature. It is important to understand this because people, during the Victorian time, used writing to get away from reality. Life was not always abundant in joy and money like it was in the novel. In reality of things, not every one was rich, in fact, most of the population were poor. Wilde then took his imagination to the next level and created a world for people to get away from reality.

Victorian Blog #1: Elements of Romance

Dorian Gray and Basil Hallward

Dorian Gray and Basil Hallward meet each other at a crush at Lady Brandon's. When Basil first sees Dorian, he feels terror because he sensed that Dorian's personality is so powerful that it could absorb him. But when Lady Brandon introduces the two, they hit it off and become great friends. This relationship is important because Dorian inspires a fresh approach to art in Basil and  is "simply a motive in art" for him (Wilde 14). Basil sees everything in him and flatters him dreadfully. This obsession Basil has for Dorian then allows Basil to produce the best work of his professional life. Basil believes that without Dorian Gray by his side, he could not create as great of a work as he does. Basil says himself that Dorian's "personality has suggested to [him] an entirely new manner in art, an entirely new mode in style" (Wilde 13). Basil's passion towards Dorian also causes him to talk about him in a manner that makes others interested in Dorian, just as Lord Henry starts to take interest in him. This relates to the plot because Basil's obsession leads to the friendship of Lord Henry and Dorian Gray. A friendship in which Lord Henry influences Dorian to change drastically; or as what Lord Henry describes it is, he influences Dorian to bring out the true him.

Victorian Blog #1: Literary Elements

Imagery

"The wind shook some blossoms from the trees, and the heavy lilac blooms, with their clustering stars, moved to and fro in the languid air. A grasshopper began to chirrup by the wall, and like a blue thread a long thin dragonfly floated past on its brown gauze wings. Lord Henry felt as if he could hear Basil Hallward's heart beating, and wondered what was coming." - pg 9

This quote from chapter one is an imagery, or words or phrases that appeal to the reader's senses. Basil is about to confess "the secret of [his] own soul" and Wilde uses imagery to build suspense of what Basil is about to say to Lord Henry (Wilde 9). This imagery leads to the story of how Basil Hallward met Dorian Gray and it is what interests Lord Henry even more about this young lad named Dorian Gray. This imagery adds suspense and suspense keeps the reader on their toes and kept readers wondering what Basil is about to say.

Why?? (Chapter 23)

Elizabeth is dead. Dead! I really don't know what's going on anymore and I don't know what I'm going to do. Why does this happen to me?! To us?! First William, then Justine, then Henry, and now Elizabeth!!! They left for their honeymoon soon after the wedding. Happy. Joyous. And then I received a word from Victor that Elizabeth is dead! Victor told me that he found her in their bedroom. She was strangled to death. I can't do this... and what worries me the most is Victor. He has lost everything so dear to him. I'm so depressed, full of grief. I... I... aksldngbkahr; gbouasjnglka.jerkygtr;relnfsadkmnvwaegtfolwqkrng...

...Alphonse

Such a relief.. (Chapter 22)

Victor is finally home again. I am finally home. And I did what I needed to do and that is to keep my son safe... I proved him innocent. And I kept my promise. When I  was finally allowed to take Victor home, we first traveled to Le Harve, France from Ireland. From there we journeyed on to Paris where we spent a few days to  rest before continuing on to Geneva. I am quite worried about Victor. I can tell that he is still depressed and that something is still haunting his mind. I wish I could do something to help my son out. And it really bothers me that I can't.

During the stay in Paris, Victor had received a letter from Elizabeth. Something I never thought Elizabeth would do. Victor let me read the letter after he had read it. Basically, Elizabeth confessed her love for him and asked Victor if he had another love. She also asked if he really did want to marry her. I think it was a good thing that Elizabeth did write him. I could see that it brought Victor back to reality. Even if it was just for a little while. And now that we're back home, Victor assured Elizabeth that he is ready to marry her. The wedding is to be in ten days. I am really happy for the both of them and I really think that this marriage will bring Victor face to face with reality. Let's hope everything goes well.

Alphonse

Oh dear! (Chapter 21)

When I got home today, I once again received a letter regrading the welfare of Victor. Hoping it was some good news, it was the exact opposite. It was a letter from Mr. Kirwin, a town magistrate in charge of Victor's trial. Yes, a trial! My poor Victor was accused of a murder and is now sitting in prison extremely sick. And not just a murder of a complete stranger, but he was accused of the murder of his best friend. His best friend! Henry! Can you believe this? I know for a fact that Victor would never do such a thing, especially to Henry. I must go to Victor before this gets even worse, before it gets out of hand. I must do whatever I could do to help my poor son. He has lost almost everyone that was dear to him. First his brother, then Justine, and now Henry. What's next? I won't let this happen, I have to give it my all in helping him. After all, he is my son and I am his father.

Alphonse

A Letter from Henry (Chapter 19)

Even though Victor has left, my mind is more at ease knowing the Henry is with him. And surely Henry won't allow Victor to do anything out of the ordinary. But as soon as I got home today, I got a letter from Henry. Henry has told me that Victor was doing good at the start of the trip. They spent their winter in London touring the city and making plans to visit the rest of England. But then Henry started to realize that Victor wasn't really enjoying himself. All he really did was mope around and visit different philosophers. And on top of that, they were invited to visit Scotland by an old friend but Victor refused. He suggested to Henry that they should part ways. Now I can't really keep an "eye" on Victor. I hoped that this time around I wouldn't have to worry about Victor so much but as usual, it didn't go as planned. All I know now of Victor is that he is staying at an uninhabited island in the Orkney Island chain.  All I really hope for is that he is safe.

Alphonse

Love and Marriage (Chapter 18)

After a long time to think about Victor and Elizabeth's marriage, I have made up my mind. I want the two to get married as soon as possible. I truly believe that if Victor marries Elizabeth this family will feel whole again. Victor will feel obligated to stay as Elizabeth's husband and we'll be fulfilling Caroline's last wish. It all works out.

I finally had a talk with Victor and suggested to him that he should marry Elizabeth soon and with out delay. But he denied my offer. The first thing that came to mind was that I really did not know what to do anymore. But Victor explained that he wanted to pay a visit to England first then he promised to marry Elizabeth as soon as he returns home. After some thought, I finally agreed. I do not know why I did but I believe that he truly will return a restored Victor ready to marry Elizabeth. Let's just hope that this comes true.

I also had a talk with Elizabeth. We both agreed that our minds will be more at ease if someone came with Victor on his journey to England and decided that Henry Clerval should be Victor's companion. It was settled. Victor would depart to England with Henry at the end of September. Even though I am truly sad to see my son leave once again, I trust his word that he would come back home restored and ready to marry Elizabeth. Let's hope that it is soon.

Alphonse

Victor is Finally Home!!! (Chapter 18)

For days of worrying, Victor is finally home. Safe and sound. I expected him to be happy and okay again coming home from his long trip but was the exact opposite. I have been noticing Victor's mood. And upon his return, he has been miserable and depressed. He came back even worse than he was when he first came back home from the university. Its like he is suffering. I really want to ask him what is wrong but I have feeling I know what is on his mind. The deaths of our beloved family members, William and Justine. I could see in his eyes that he feels responsible for the death of the two. That if he came home sooner, he would have been able to stop what has already happened. Even though Victor is finally home and I thought my mind could finally rest, I'm still not at ease. Yes Victor is safe. But I know something is haunting him and I wish I could help my own son.

Alphonse

Waiting and Even More Waiting... (Chapter 16)

Victor is still not home and I'm really starting to worry. Last I hear is that he is with this creature. I try to ask him what is going on but he will not tell me anything else, which makes me even more worried. He won't tell me where he is either. I just hope he is safe and not in harms way. I don't think i could take another death, not after what happened to William. And I don't know if him leaving to clear his mind of his was such a good idea either. He probably should have just stayed home. Yes, stayed home... here with Elizabeth. I think she really needs him here with her. She will probably cope with the things that have happened better if Victor was here.

And about Elizabeth, she is also worrying me and I know that Victor is always in her mind. I just pray he comes home soon to ease all of our minds. Maybe I need to start planning Elizabeth's and Victor's wedding. That is what Caroline always wanted, for the two of them to marry. And I'm sure Elizabeth would also be happy to hear this. Maybe then Victor will stay home having the responsibility of being Elizabeth's husband. Well its just a thought, I'll think about it some more but I  really think it will be a good idea.

Alphonse

Victor is Missing (Chapter 13)

Victor has once again left us behind but this time he went to Ingolstadt to clear his mind. And I can see that a lot is on his mind. But he has yet to come back home and I am starting to worry. Why couldn't he just stay home? I feel that this family is starting to fall apart. My youngest has died and now my oldest has left us once again. And on top of that, Elizabeth is even more worried about Victor and I can see that it is affecting her. She is also starting to blame herself for Victor's departure. I tried to tell her other wise but she just wouldn't listen. Everything is just not going the way I wanted it to go. I just hope wherever Victor is and whatever he is doing that he is safe. I don't want what happened to William to happen to Victor.

Alphonse

Why does this have to happen to me? (Chapter 8)

The night did not go as planned. I do not even know why I have the strength to be even typing this down. My youngest son William has just died. It all happened during the evening stroll when him and Ernest ran ahead to play hide and seek. Next thing we know we can not find William and later find him "stretched on the grass livid and motionless; the print of the murder's finger... on his neck." I can not take in his death. I just can not believe it. We were gonna be a family again, complete and happy. Why does this have to happen now? I am just so sad and my mind is all flustered, I do not know what to do.

And on top of that, Justine Moritz was accused of William's death. I saw her as my own daughter and treated her as my own too, how could she do this to me? But deep down in my heart I just can not believe that it is true, that she was the one that killed my little William. But then again all the evidence points to her. A servant had found in Justine’s pocket a picture of my wife last seen in William’s possession. Could this be true? I am so confused, I do not know what to believe anymore. The trial for the murder is today at eleven. I hope that it is not true that Justine really murdered William. I pray it is not true.

Alphonse

A Family Again (Chapter 7)

I just sent my son Victor a letter to return home immediately now that we have gotten the house ready for him. I am really excited for him to come home from the university after six whole years. We could be a complete happy family once more. And on top of that, I am going on an evening stroll near my home later on with the rest of the family. Elizabeth, Ernest, and William are all excited as I am; excited for the night and excited for Victor finally coming home. I hope everything goes well and as planned.

Alphonse