An Analysis of Wilde’s Aesthetic Thoughts on Art
——with the Special Reference to The Happy Prince
Abstract
Aestheticism is a popular trend of thoughts flourishing from the middle decades of the 19th century. It originated in poetry, and then seen in novels and dramas. The chief proposition of aestheticism is “art for art’s sake” theory. Aesthetic writing is skillful writing which separates from the real society.
The real representative of aestheticism is Oscar Wilde (1856-1900). He is the practical writer of aestheticism and the spokesman of it. The aesthetic fairy tales are an undividable part of Wilde’s writings. The loss and gain of fairy tales relate to aestheticism and without them we can not realize the essential value of aestheticism. The positive value of aesthetic fairy tales should hold our attention, for it provides us much experience to current fairy tale writings and has a positive effect to promote an artistic taste of fairy tales while enhances inartistic and charming work of art.
Key words: aestheticism; Oscar Wilde; art; fairy tales; the happy prince
Contents
中文摘要……………………………………………………………...…………i
Abstract………………………………………………………………………….ii
Acknowledgements………………………………..…………………………...iii
Introduction……………………………………………………………………...1
I. Aestheticism and Wilde……………………………………...………………..3
A. Brief Introduction of Aestheticism in History ………………………….3
B. Wilde’s Aesthetic Thoughts……………………………………………..4
C. The Historical Background of Wilde’s Aesthetic Thoughts…………….5
D. The Different Opinion about Wilde’s Aesthetic Thoughts………….…..7
II. Analysis of the Aesthetic Thoughts in The Happy Prince …........9
A. Brief introduction of The Happy Prince and its Symbolic Meaning..….9
B. Analysis of Aestheticism in The Happy Prince from the Aspect
of Selecting Material ………..…………………………………….11
C. Analysis of Aestheticism in The Happy Prince from the Aspect
of Technique of Expression……………..……………………………...12
Conclusion………………………………………………….….……..………..14
Notes…………………………………………………………………………..15
Bibliography…………………………………………………………………..16
