Remember to: Balance clarity & mystery Visually, your book cover must demonstrate: The Macabre The elements of the Gothic present The unique elements of your story and what their purpose is Remember to: Balance clarity & mystery Cohen’s Crisis Categories: -Economic -Political -Cultural -Sexual -Racial Additionally, you must include an artist’s statement that clearly articulates how and why your art achieves these things, as well as a connection between the Cohen thesis and your story.

Victorian Gothic: Introducing The Picture of Dorian Gray

Beauty

Irish playwright, novelist, essayist 1854-1900 Oscar Wilde Irish playwright, novelist, essayist 1854-1900 Remembered for his epigrams, his novel (The Picture of Dorian Gray), his plays, and his death His parents were successful Dublin intellectuals Moved to London after university, became very successful socially and very culturally fashionable, a kind of early celebratory for simply being his kooky self (an early, and significantly better educated, Kardashian?)

Originally published in Lippincott’s Monthly in 1890 Literary Context Originally published in Lippincott’s Monthly in 1890 Revised, extended, and published in book form in 1891 The preface was added in 1891

The Victorian Era What do we already know about the Victorian Era? What associations do we have with this time?

What is the Victorian Era? The Victorian era of British history (and that of the British Empire) was the period of Queen Victoria’s reign from 20 June 1837 until her death, on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self- confidence for Britain.

The Victorian Era Crime On the rise Prostitution, violent crime, theft Glorified in the newspapers, became an entertainment of sorts Jack the Ripper First serial killer Prompted media obsession Brutal & public punishments Industrial Revolution Impressed by science & progress Technology was central to their way of life Reinforced class distinctions Rapid urbanization

The Victorian era Social Class & Gender Roles 4 class distinctions Upper, middle, lower, under Very strict gender roles Men were smart and cultured, women were to be seen and not heard Sexuality Unacceptable to be homosexual High standards of personal morality Prostitution was unacceptable, but were very prevalent Family & Home Life Housing was limited and very expensive Resulted in a lot of slums OR obscenely wealthy folks living in giant mansions Lots of child labor

The Victorian era Aesthetics An intellectual and art movement that supported the aesthetic values of a culture Decadent Believed that arts should convey refined sensual pleasure, rather than convey any sort of moral message Believed art had no purpose, needed only to be beautiful Sometimes referred to as the ‘cult of beauty’ The biggest problem with the movement: it was very limited because of money

aes·thet·ics esˈTHediks/ noun a set of principles concerned with the nature and appreciation of beauty, especially in art. the branch of philosophy that deals with the principles of beauty and artistic taste.

Epigram Pithy saying or remark expressing an idea in a clever or amusing way As you read, watch for Wilde’s use of the epigrams in his dialogue. They reveal a lot to us about the characters that say them.

The Preface Follow along as we read the Preface What stands out to you about Wilde’s writing style? What questions does the Preface leave you with? With a partner: Create a THESIS statement about what you think the purpose of Wilde’s Preface is. We will revisit these at the end of the novel!

If we can conclude that Wilde’s preface is stating that Art has no purpose and beauty is useless; and we understand the novel itself to be a work of art, can we believe in it? Why do you think Wilde might have added this preface?

Come prepared to discuss characterization Homework… Read chapter 1 Come prepared to discuss characterization