Art Regression: On Unconsciousness Trend of The Picture of Dorian Gray

Abstract

As a most important representative of aestheticism, Oscar Wilde holds the view of “art for art sake”. His novel The Picture of Dorian Gray opens the dialogue between art and psychology, which reveals the dual functions of art in shaping personality from the unconscious level. On the one hand, art can bring people aesthetic experience; on the other hand, misreading to art can bring serious damage to both individual and society. By means of psychoanalysis, interpretation to this novel shows that Dorian Gray’s personality split comes from his personal unconsciousness development; his life experience, art obsession and sex impulse directly refer to the three developing stages: inferiority complex, psychological defense mechanism and fear of intimacy. They jointly construct Dorian Gray’s dual personalities. His unconsciousness encourages his desire expansion.