How Does Oscar Wilde Show Imperialism

Oscar Wilde's Take on Imperialism

Oscar Wilde, a big deal in the late 1800s literary world, is famous for his wit and knack for poking fun at society’s norms. Sure, folks love his works for the humor and social jabs, but they also offer a sharp look at imperialism. This essay dives into how Wilde portrays imperialism in his stuff, especially in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "The Importance of Being Earnest."

The Characters' Reflection of Imperial Views

One way Wilde gets into imperialism is through the characters and places in his stories. In "The Picture of Dorian Gray," Lord Henry Wotton kind of shows off the British upper class's colonial mindset from back in the day. His cynical worldview and belief that Britain was better than everyone else pretty much nail what folks thought then. And Dorian Gray? He's influenced by Lord Henry, which shows how imperialism can mess with a person's mind.

Similarly, in "The Importance of Being Earnest," Lady Bracknell is used to mock the aristocrats’ sense of entitlement and superiority. Her snobby attitude towards lower classes and her obsession with status critique the imperialist mindset everywhere in British society during Wilde’s time.

Exoticism and Orientalism

Wilde also shines a light on exoticism and orientalism in "The Picture of Dorian Gray." Sibyl Vane, an actress who dazzles Dorian with her exotic charm, represents how non-Western cultures were objectified back then. Through Sibyl, Wilde shows how dehumanizing imperialism can be—for both those doing the colonizing and those being colonized.

Symbolism and Allegory

The symbolism in Wilde’s work adds another layer to his critique of imperialism. The portrait in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is a metaphor for the hidden costs of empire-building. It ages and shows scars from Dorian’s corruption while he stays outwardly untouched—much like how empires hide their ugly side behind success stories. The supernatural twist adds depth, hinting that the impact goes beyond just material things—it hits spiritual and moral aspects too.

The Theme of Duality

Then there's duality and deception in "The Importance of Being Earnest." This part could be seen as pointing out hypocrisy in imperial societies. Characters lie about who they are or get stuck on appearances—highlighting superficiality and moral bankruptcy that come with an imperialist view. By laughing at social norms and the fake attitudes of upper-class folks, Wilde questions if these power structures are really legit.

Wilde’s Personal Perspective

You know what's interesting? Wilde’s own life sheds light on his views about imperialism too! As an Irishman living in England, he felt firsthand those tensions between Britain and its colonies. Maybe facing discrimination himself influenced how he wrote about it all—injustice fueled his call for change!

So yeah—Oscar Wilde’s works give us lots to think about when it comes to imperialism: psychological stuff; social issues; moral implications—all wrapped up together neatly (or not so neatly). When we look at this through today’s postcolonial lens—we get why these themes still matter now more than ever before…power; privilege; identity—they’re timeless concerns worth exploring further!

References

• Bristow, J., & Mitchell, R., Eds. (2009). The Cambridge Companion to Victorian Culture. Cambridge University Press.
• Kohlke, M.-L., & Gutleben C., Eds. (2011). Nineteenth-Century Literature Criticism: A New Approach. Rodopi.
• Mighall R., (2003). A Geography of Victorian Gothic Fiction: Mapping History's Nightmares. Oxford University Press.
• Sloan J.W., (1996). The Politics of Oscar Wilde's 'Earnest', Modern Drama Journal.
• Punter D., & Byron G., (2004). The Gothic. Blackwell Publishing.