Summary:
Oscar Wilde's impractical plot is discussed and evaluated as a coming of age story.
I would venture to say that the majority of older people would absolutely love to be young again. The good looks, the adolescent personality, the charismatic manner; who would not want to stay young? To be youthful again, one would almost give anything; but, what happens when someone is willing to give their soul? In The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, a man named Dorian Gray is willing to give his soul for his beauty. Though impractical, his wish was granted and the portrait showed the results of his sins and he remained young and attractive. Despite the fact that Wilde's plot is unrealistic, it relates to the theme of the book-- coming of age.
Although the novel's plot is implausible, it relates to the theme of coming of age. The story itself is unlikely, but the whole topic of growing up is what we all have to put up with.
Obviously, the story is not a typical plot, but it deals with a tough situation that adds to the stress of growing up. Wilde puts his characters in a state of confusion, fear, love, and hate to add even more troubles in to the story. Each character seems to have their own "conflict" that makes it harder for them to come of age. Throughout the novel, it is emphasized that the level of difficulty for these characters to mature is high. Using an odd and unreasonable plot, Wilde does well relating the theme of coming of age to the reader.
In conclusion, despite the fact that Wilde's plot is impractical, it relates to the theme of the book. Being that the plot is about a young man struggling to keep his youth and beauty, strengthens the theme of coming of age.
This is the complete article, containing 293 words
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