Aesthetic Principles and Literary Wit Analysis

Aesthetic Definition and Scope

Aesthetic: A combination of things that are pleasing to look at, relating to the enjoyment or study of beauty. It is used to talk about beauty or art, and people's appreciation of beautiful things.

Notable Epigrams

• “There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”
• “Being natural is simply a pose, and the most irritating pose I know.”
• “I make a great difference between people. I choose my friends for their good looks, my acquaintances for their good characters, and my enemies for their good intellects.”
• “The only difference between a caprice and a lifelong passion is that the caprice lasts a little longer.”

Analysis of Epigrammatic Structure

Let's examine why these work as epigrams. First, each contains an element of surprise, contradiction, or counter-intuitiveness. If being talked about is so bad that there is only one thing worse, then it's ironic that not being talked about is even worse. Second, each contains an element of truth. We probably all know people who take "being natural" to such an extreme that it's irritating. Third, one often must pause and consider whether the seemingly outrageous statement should be accepted, and to what degree. How can a "lifelong passion" be more short-lived than a caprice? The statement suggests that many who claim something to be a "lifelong passion" tend to abandon that passion in short order.

Literary Themes: Friendship and Influence

In the story, friendship is a double-edged sword. In the scene at the theatre, both Henry and Basil show a self-important, judgmental attitude about Sibyl's performance. As friends, they seem to be looking out for Dorian's interests, but the result is catastrophic, because this is the point where Dorian begins his self-destructive tailspin.

Later, Henry again tries to "protect" Dorian by telling him to move on, to relax and have dinner and go to the opera with him and other friends. Ostensibly, Henry, as well as preventing Dorian from becoming stuck in a morass of grief over Sibyl, is trying to protect him and to make sure the police have no reason to suspect he is mixed up in the girl's death. The effects and the probable intention of Henry's words, however, are to turn Dorian into the same type of cynical, cold-hearted person Henry himself is.

Basil's attempt later to befriend Dorian and help him get out of his "immoral"