The symbol in question is the green carnation, which is worn by Lord Henry and later adopted by Dorian Gray in Oscar Wilde's novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray." The green carnation serves as a recurring motif throughout the novel, symbolizing decadence, artifice, and the superficiality of high society.
Through the use of the green carnation, Wilde is able to comment on and satirize society in a number of ways. Firstly, the green carnation represents the artificiality and facade that many characters in the novel hide behind. Lord Henry, in particular, is known for his witty and cynical observations about society, using his charm and wit to manipulate those around him. The green carnation serves as a physical manifestation of this artifice, highlighting the superficiality and insincerity that prevails in high society.
Additionally, the green carnation symbolizes decadence and indulgence, two themes that are central to the novel. The characters in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" are obsessed with beauty, pleasure, and the pursuit of aesthetic perfection. The green carnation, with its vibrant hue and exotic connotations, serves as a visual representation of these hedonistic desires, highlighting the lack of substance and moral decay that underpins the lives of the elite.
Furthermore, the green carnation acts as a marker of identity and belonging within the novel. When Dorian Gray begins to wear the green carnation, it signals his transformation from an innocent young man into a corrupted and morally bankrupt figure. The green carnation becomes a symbol of Dorian's descent into hedonism and vice, illustrating the destructive power of society's obsession with appearances and superficial values.
Overall, the green carnation symbol in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" allows Wilde to critique and satirize the shallowness and hypocrisy of high society. By using this symbol to highlight the artificiality, decadence, and moral corruption that permeate the lives of his characters, Wilde offers a scathing commentary on the values and morals of his contemporary society.
How does this symbol help Oscar Wilde to comment on and satirize society? Do not restrict your discussion to your reading for this lesson; include Acts I and II in your analysis and commentary.
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