Hardship and Connection: An Ecofeminist Interpretation of The Picture of Dorian Gray

Research Article
Open access

Hardship and Connection: An Ecofeminist Interpretation of The Picture of Dorian Gray

Xinlei Miao 1*
  • 1 College of Foreign Languages&Cultures, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, China    
  • *corresponding author 18981010401@163.com
CHR Vol.67
ISSN (Print): 2753-7072
ISSN (Online): 2753-7064
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-115-0
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-116-7

Abstract

Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece The Picture of Dorian Gray employs a distinctive aestheticist style to narrate the story of the protagonist Dorian Gray, who attempts to trade his soul for eternal youth, only for his moral transgressions to manifest on his portrait. The novel not only reflects Wilde’s profound meditations on human nature, art, and morality but also portrays a series of female characters, such as Sibyl Vane and Lady Brandon, whose emotions and destinies resonate with natural imagery, revealing intricate interactions between humanity and nature. This article adopts an ecofeminist perspective to unearth the latent ecological and gendered dimensions of the text, focusing on the intertwined representations of “ecology” and “the feminine.” It seeks to expose the oppression both endure under patriarchal structures and the intrinsic connections between them. On one level, the study examines the symbolic significance of nature in the novel, linking its degradation to Dorian Gray’s moral decay, thereby uncovering the text’s implicit anti-ecological critique. On another, it scrutinizes the female characters, analyzing their marginalized status within patriarchal society and their shared plight with nature. In a broader context, this analysis invites readers to reflect on contemporary ecological and gender issues, advocating for a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, as well as between men and women.

Keywords:

The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde, ecofeminism, binary opposition, patriarchy

Miao,X. (2025). Hardship and Connection: An Ecofeminist Interpretation of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Communications in Humanities Research,67,50-62.
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References

[1]. Xiong Ruiyi. “Oscar Wilde’s Aestheticism in The Picture of Dorian Gray.” New Documentary, no. 3, 2021, pp. 11–13.

[2]. Wang Hui, and Li Zhengshuan. “The Aesthetic Three-Dimensional Narrative in Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray.” Journal of Hebei University (Philosophy and Social Science Edition), vol. 39, no. 1, 2014, pp. 132–136.

[3]. Ma Zeren. A Study of the Devil Archetype in Faust and The Picture of Dorian Gray. 2017. Southwest Minzu University, MA thesis.

[4]. Wang Yunxia. “A Review of Karen Warren’s Ecofeminist Thought.” Journal of Dialectics of Nature, vol. 36, no. 2, 2014, pp. 93–97+127.

[5]. Yang Lixin. “On the Development of Western Feminist Theory.” Journal of Nanjing Normal University (Social Science Edition), no. 4, 2000, pp. 101–106.

[6]. Patmore Coventry. The Angel in the House. Poetical Works: Volume One. George Bell and Sons, 1906, pp. 28–32.

[7]. Beauvoir Simone de. The Second Sex. Translated by Tao Tiezhu, China Books Publishing House, 2004.

[8]. Wilde Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Translated by Sun Fali, Hunan Literature and Art Publishing House, 2019 (Reprinted 2023).

[9]. Zhu Yali. A Study of British Aristocratic Women in the Victorian Era. 2010. Hebei University, MA thesis.

[10]. Pepper David. Modern Environmentalism: An Introduction. Routledge, 1996.

[11]. Duan Fang,and Wang Shouren. “Wilde’s View of Women as Seen in An Ideal Husband.” Journal of Sichuan International Studies University, no. 5, 2006, pp. 13–17

[12]. Yang Shuo. “A Feminist Critique of Victorian Patriarchy’s Marriage Ideology.” Journal of Heihe University, vol. 13, no. 9, 2022, pp. 131–133.

[13]. Mi Haibo. “Reconstructing the Relationship Between Humanity and Nature: A Philosophical Reflection on Contemporary Ecological Ethics—With a Discussion on ‘Anthropocentrism’ and ‘Ecocentrism’.” Social Scientist, no. 8, 2023, pp. 31–35.

[14]. Peng Yinghong. “On the Garden Imagery in Victorian Women’s Novels.” Movie Review, no. 6, 2010, pp. 107–108.

[15]. Reid James. The Life of Christ. Translated by Jiang Qing, SDX Joint Publishing Company, 1998.

[16]. Brontë Charlotte. Shirley. Translated by Cao Yong, Shanghai Translation Publishing House, 1981.

Cite this article

Miao,X. (2025). Hardship and Connection: An Ecofeminist Interpretation of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Communications in Humanities Research,67,50-62.

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Volume title: Proceedings of ICLLCD 2025 Symposium: Enhancing Organizational Efficiency and Efficacy through Psychology and AI

ISBN：978-1-80590-115-0(Print) / 978-1-80590-116-7(Online)
Editor：Rick Arrowood
Conference website: https://2025.icllcd.org/Boston.html
Conference date: 12 May 2025
Series: Communications in Humanities Research
Volume number: Vol.67
ISSN：2753-7064(Print) / 2753-7072(Online)

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References

[1]. Xiong Ruiyi. “Oscar Wilde’s Aestheticism in The Picture of Dorian Gray.” New Documentary, no. 3, 2021, pp. 11–13.

[2]. Wang Hui, and Li Zhengshuan. “The Aesthetic Three-Dimensional Narrative in Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray.” Journal of Hebei University (Philosophy and Social Science Edition), vol. 39, no. 1, 2014, pp. 132–136.

[3]. Ma Zeren. A Study of the Devil Archetype in Faust and The Picture of Dorian Gray. 2017. Southwest Minzu University, MA thesis.

[4]. Wang Yunxia. “A Review of Karen Warren’s Ecofeminist Thought.” Journal of Dialectics of Nature, vol. 36, no. 2, 2014, pp. 93–97+127.

[5]. Yang Lixin. “On the Development of Western Feminist Theory.” Journal of Nanjing Normal University (Social Science Edition), no. 4, 2000, pp. 101–106.

[6]. Patmore Coventry. The Angel in the House. Poetical Works: Volume One. George Bell and Sons, 1906, pp. 28–32.

[7]. Beauvoir Simone de. The Second Sex. Translated by Tao Tiezhu, China Books Publishing House, 2004.

[8]. Wilde Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Translated by Sun Fali, Hunan Literature and Art Publishing House, 2019 (Reprinted 2023).

[9]. Zhu Yali. A Study of British Aristocratic Women in the Victorian Era. 2010. Hebei University, MA thesis.

[10]. Pepper David. Modern Environmentalism: An Introduction. Routledge, 1996.

[11]. Duan Fang,and Wang Shouren. “Wilde’s View of Women as Seen in An Ideal Husband.” Journal of Sichuan International Studies University, no. 5, 2006, pp. 13–17

[12]. Yang Shuo. “A Feminist Critique of Victorian Patriarchy’s Marriage Ideology.” Journal of Heihe University, vol. 13, no. 9, 2022, pp. 131–133.

[13]. Mi Haibo. “Reconstructing the Relationship Between Humanity and Nature: A Philosophical Reflection on Contemporary Ecological Ethics—With a Discussion on ‘Anthropocentrism’ and ‘Ecocentrism’.” Social Scientist, no. 8, 2023, pp. 31–35.

[14]. Peng Yinghong. “On the Garden Imagery in Victorian Women’s Novels.” Movie Review, no. 6, 2010, pp. 107–108.

[15]. Reid James. The Life of Christ. Translated by Jiang Qing, SDX Joint Publishing Company, 1998.

[16]. Brontë Charlotte. Shirley. Translated by Cao Yong, Shanghai Translation Publishing House, 1981.

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