Musical References
In chapter XI Wilde describes Dorian’s hobbies and obsessions, one of which reflects his interest in music. Dorian explores the sounds and rhythms of “some of the strangest instruments that could be found” and, in a room with a “vermilion-and-gold ceiling and walls of olive green lacquer”, organizes curious concerts with them. Perhaps Wilde refers to these ancient, savage instruments as a way of introducing the direction of the rapid change of Dorian’s nature.
“The harsh intervals and shrill discords of barbaric music stirred him at times when Schubert's grace, and Chopin's beautiful sorrows, and the mighty harmonies of Beethoven himself, fell unheeded on his ear.”
Through references to unfamiliar instruments, Wilde shows how Dorian is seduced by the mysteries of the unknown and the unaccepted when he bores from the commonly English and plain. The intense beating of drums and the, sometimes dull, sometimes sharp, sound of wooden wind instruments, concretize a mood which as you continue to read, becomes increasingly frightening and alien. These stirring rhythms appeal to the very essence of our inner savage and are sure to have been considered blasphemous in Wilde’s time. He writes that Dorian “felt a curious delight in the thought that Art, like Nature, has her monsters, things of bestial shape and hideous voices”. Since it has been stated that Life is like Art and that a part of Life is Dorian, this music of nature and beast must be a reflection of the beast in the nature and life of Dorian.
After some time he bores from these exotic instruments too and ultimately finds himself reappearing at the opera, “seeing in the prelude to that great work of art a presentation of the tragedy of his own soul.” Upon returning to society from his debaucheries, he seeks the very same pleasures as he earlier sought to escape. That these explorations satisfies him is a fact, but if they permanently leave him more complete and changed as a person or not, is, however, rather uncertain.
A.W.
“The harsh intervals and shrill discords of barbaric music stirred him at times when Schubert's grace, and Chopin's beautiful sorrows, and the mighty harmonies of Beethoven himself, fell unheeded on his ear.”
Through references to unfamiliar instruments, Wilde shows how Dorian is seduced by the mysteries of the unknown and the unaccepted when he bores from the commonly English and plain. The intense beating of drums and the, sometimes dull, sometimes sharp, sound of wooden wind instruments, concretize a mood which as you continue to read, becomes increasingly frightening and alien. These stirring rhythms appeal to the very essence of our inner savage and are sure to have been considered blasphemous in Wilde’s time. He writes that Dorian “felt a curious delight in the thought that Art, like Nature, has her monsters, things of bestial shape and hideous voices”. Since it has been stated that Life is like Art and that a part of Life is Dorian, this music of nature and beast must be a reflection of the beast in the nature and life of Dorian.
After some time he bores from these exotic instruments too and ultimately finds himself reappearing at the opera, “seeing in the prelude to that great work of art a presentation of the tragedy of his own soul.” Upon returning to society from his debaucheries, he seeks the very same pleasures as he earlier sought to escape. That these explorations satisfies him is a fact, but if they permanently leave him more complete and changed as a person or not, is, however, rather uncertain.
A.W.
Examples of musical instruments and compositions that Wilde refers to in The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Teponaztli: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XyuEyBVp-s
“The Teponaztli, that has two vibrating tongues of wood and is beaten with sticks that are smeared with an elastic gum obtained from the milky juice of plants”
Image Link: http://www.mexicanartdealing.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=29725964
The Jurupari: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsUxOgI3soU
“He had the mysterious Juruparis of the Rio Negro Indians, that women are not allowed to look at and that even youths may not see till they have been subjected to fasting and scourging”
Image Link: http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/musical-instruments/musical-instruments%20-%200168.htm
Image Link: http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/musical-instruments/musical-instruments%20-%200168.htm
Concert with Aztec music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiFljznibKo
One of Chopin’s beautiful sorrows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOcryGEw1NY
A mighty symphony of Beethoven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z4KK7RWjmk
Example of Schubert’s grace: http://www.y outube.com/watch?v=pGbh_oAwuOE
One of Chopin’s beautiful sorrows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOcryGEw1NY
A mighty symphony of Beethoven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z4KK7RWjmk
Example of Schubert’s grace: http://www.y outube.com/watch?v=pGbh_oAwuOE