Poe was a writer of gothic novels and the influences of it can be seen in William Wilson. There are of course many different ways to interpret this story but this term paper focuses on the idea that Wilson’s double functions as his own conscience as well as society’s conscience. In order to have a better understanding of this concept, Freud’s psychoanalysis will be used as a foundation to this analysis.
The second chapter focuses on Oscar Wild’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. In this novel, the double takes on a completely different shape but symbolises the same inner conflict. This novel was written in a time, when the motif of the double was already in decline and it will be interesting to see in how far these two stories differ. In order to compare the novel to Poe’s short story the focus will be similar to William Wilson in so far as the role of the double will be analysed. Does Dorian Gray’s portrait act as a conscience as well? Here again Freud’s psychoanalysis as well as his essay the Uncanny will be regarded as a source. The Picture of Dorian Gray can be analysed in many different ways. There is the topic of Art and aestheticism as well as a “cult of the senses”. It is, however, the topic of the double, realised through a portrait of the Self, which is the focus of this term paper. Other topics will only be discussed in connection to the main focus.
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 William Wilson and the double as the super-ego
- 2.1 Wilson's conscience
- 2.2 being society's conscience
- 3 The Double in The Picture of Dorian Gray
- 3.1 Dorian Gray's conscience
- 3.2 The Double as the keeper of Dorian's secrets
- 4 Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper analyzes the motif of the double in Edgar Allan Poe's "William Wilson" and Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray," exploring how the double functions as both a personal and societal conscience within the narratives. It utilizes Freudian psychoanalysis to understand the inner conflict represented by the double in each story. The paper aims to compare and contrast the representation of the double in these two works, considering their historical context and the evolving understanding of the double in 19th-century literature.
- The function of the double as a representation of conscience.
- The contrasting depictions of the double in Poe and Wilde.
- The application of Freudian psychoanalysis to interpret the motif of the double.
- The societal implications of the inner conflicts portrayed.
- The evolution of the double motif in 19th-century literature.
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the widespread presence of the double motif in literature, from folklore to modern superhero narratives. It highlights the motif's representation of personality division and focuses on its prominent role in 19th-century literature, particularly within the Gothic novel. The chapter positions Poe's "William Wilson" and Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" as case studies representing different manifestations of the double but sharing a common underlying inner conflict. It briefly touches upon the historical context of the double motif and its connection to the growing awareness of internal psychological struggles. The introduction lays the groundwork for the subsequent analysis of the two chosen texts.
2 William Wilson and the double as the super-ego: This chapter delves into Poe's "William Wilson," focusing on the interpretation of the double as Wilson's conscience, a concept grounded in Freudian psychoanalysis. It introduces Freud's tripartite model of the psyche (id, ego, superego) and uses it as a framework for analyzing the interaction between Wilson and his double. The chapter argues that the double acts as Wilson's superego, embodying societal norms and hindering Wilson's attempts at wrongdoing. It establishes the groundwork for subsequent discussions on the double's role in representing both personal and societal conscience. The analysis foreshadows the comparative study of the double in Wilde's novel.
3 The Double in The Picture of Dorian Gray: This chapter shifts the focus to Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray," examining the different form the double takes in this novel and the significance of this difference compared to Poe's "William Wilson". The chapter will analyze how Dorian Gray's portrait serves as a reflection of his soul and acts as a conscience, or perhaps an external manifestation of the repressed aspects of his personality. While "William Wilson" explores the double as an internal struggle, "Dorian Gray" presents it as a physical representation externalized. The analysis will compare and contrast the functions of the double in both works, highlighting the evolution of the motif in 19th-century literature. The discussion will acknowledge the themes of art and aestheticism present in Wilde's novel, but it will ultimately focus on the double as the central element for comparative analysis with Poe's short story.
Keywords
Double motif, conscience, Freudian psychoanalysis, superego, id, ego, Gothic novel, 19th-century literature, Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde, William Wilson, The Picture of Dorian Gray, inner conflict, societal norms, personal identity, comparative literature.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of the Double Motif in "William Wilson" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray"
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the recurring motif of the "double" in Edgar Allan Poe's "William Wilson" and Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray." It explores how the double functions as a representation of both personal and societal conscience within each narrative, utilizing Freudian psychoanalysis to interpret the inner conflicts portrayed.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper examines the function of the double as a representation of conscience, contrasting its depiction in Poe and Wilde's works. It applies Freudian psychoanalysis (id, ego, superego) to understand the motif, considers the societal implications of the inner conflicts, and traces the evolution of the double motif within 19th-century literature.
How does the paper utilize Freudian psychoanalysis?
The paper uses Freud's tripartite model of the psyche (id, ego, superego) as a framework for analyzing the interaction between the characters and their doubles. It argues that the double often acts as the superego, embodying societal norms and representing the internal conflict between desires and societal expectations.
How does the paper compare "William Wilson" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray"?
The paper compares and contrasts the representation of the double in both works. While in "William Wilson," the double is presented as an internal struggle, in "The Picture of Dorian Gray," the double (the portrait) is externalized. The analysis highlights the different forms the double takes and the significance of this difference within the context of 19th-century literature.
What is the role of the double in "William Wilson"?
In "William Wilson," the paper argues that the double acts as the protagonist's superego, representing his conscience and societal expectations. The double hinders Wilson's attempts at wrongdoing, representing an internal conflict between personal desires and societal norms.
What is the role of the double in "The Picture of Dorian Gray"?
In "The Picture of Dorian Gray," the portrait serves as Dorian's double, reflecting his soul and acting as an external manifestation of his repressed aspects or conscience. The paper contrasts this external representation with the internal struggle depicted in "William Wilson."
What is the historical context considered in the paper?
The paper situates the motif of the double within the historical context of 19th-century literature, acknowledging the growing awareness of internal psychological struggles and the evolution of the double motif within the Gothic novel and beyond.
What are the key takeaways or conclusions of the paper?
The paper concludes by summarizing the comparative analysis of the double motif in both works, highlighting the different manifestations and interpretations of this recurring literary device, and its significance in understanding the psychological complexities of the characters and the broader societal context of 19th-century literature.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Double motif, conscience, Freudian psychoanalysis, superego, id, ego, Gothic novel, 19th-century literature, Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde, William Wilson, The Picture of Dorian Gray, inner conflict, societal norms, personal identity, comparative literature.
- Quote paper
- Lucia Vitzthum (Author), 2012, The Motif of the Doppelgänger in "William Wilson" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/452227
