The Picture of Dorian Gray Question #8

I am not entirely sure how well the novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde reflects events in history during that time because I was not alive back then. However, considering the fact that this book is a classic, I strongly believe that the events are indeed reflected accurately. Another reason I believe that Wilde reflected them accurately is because the events that take place in the story seem very realistic for this time period. Some of these include the opera shows and plays that were attended, as well as, traveling from place to place by horse and carriage. Another thing I noticed about the book and its events is that the story takes place during the Aesthetic movement. "The Aesthetic Movement argued that art was not supposed to be utilitarian or useful in any practical sense. Instead, aesthetic experience is a fully autonomous and independent aspect of human life. Thus, art should exist soley for its own sake" (Buffalo Architecture and History, page 1, paragraph 2). The author Oscar Wilde, I have learned, was a great voice in this movement. This movement was probably what influenced him about the character of Basil Hallward and was also probably the reason why the portrait played such an important role in the book.

"Aesthetic Movement." Buffalo Architecture and History. Web. 10 Aug. 2011. .