Author's Social Anxieties: Gender Preference in The Picture of Dorian
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Author’s Social Anxieties: Gender Preference in The Picture of Dorian
Gray & The House of Mirth
Esmeralda Acatitla Velazquez*
B.A. Candidate, Department of English, California State University Stanislaus, 1 University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382
Received 16 April 2021; accepted 20 July 2021
Abstract
The rise of the LGBTQ+ community has become extremely popular today. Supporters claim that these individuals have existed
in our society, only gone into hiding because of social circumstances. The Victorian society was not as welcoming. They held on tight to
Christian values and pressured individuals to meet their social roles. Therefore, arousing fear and anxiety. The purpose of this study is to
explore the novels of Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth, to illustrate hidden gender
preferences when parallel to their characters. Authors consciously or unconsciously inject themselves into their creations to reflect their
desires. Many argue that self-authorship does not exist because characters come from imagination, making them a fictional experiment
rather than something real. A writer cannot write what they did not experience, understood, or thought. I expect that the writer’s social
environment influences their writing, and writers influence their characters.
Keywords: self-authorship, gender preference, Victorian society, LGBTQ+ community
Introduction possible influences society has on gender identities.
Previous research has proven that issues related to
the negative impacts of social cultures, such as oppression Background
and obligation, have altered the way individuals express Gomel’s (2004) study states that the self-
their sexuality. In more detail, earlier research shows that authorship theory would allow us to understand the
gender preference is hidden in the novels of Oscar Wilde’s relationship between the author and their written works.
The Picture of Dorian Gray and Edith Wharton’s The House This presentation reveals the personality of the real-world
of Mirth. The society from the author’s era differs from that author--even if they are not aware, known as the textual
of the modern world because it held on tight to Christian phantom 3. Such as it is like a ghost who affects the body or
principles and values. This heteronormative society was object it takes over. A discussion between Sir Arthur
very manipulative, constraining, and pressuring because it Conan Doyle and his challenger, C.Wl, to demonstrate that
forced people to follow normalized social roles. characters are no different from their authors. The
Homosexuality during the British Victorian was thought to characters portrayed in The Picture of Dorian Gray
be associated with prostitution, criminology, and those of impersonate their creator, Oscar Wilde. When examining
low ranks (Gagnier, 1991, p.71). An individual identified as the text of the novel, Gomel pointed out that there is a
a homosexual was attacked both physically and mentally. parallel between the author’s identity and their characters.
Although Wilde’s and Wharton’s novels and lives took Therefore, Gomel’s self-authorship theory supports that
place during different time frames, both periods connects the character’s identities to their authors. Wayne
demonstrated the heterosexual culture 1 that rejected and Booth’s comment supports this because he states how
denied anything otherwise. Ignorance and hatred blocked Wilde’s novel illustrates a real man (2004). A self-written
society from accepting other gender identities; therefore, piece can reflect the characteristics of the writer, as a
leading authors and characters in their novels to hide their painter to its piece of art.
real self (Gomel, 2004, para.3). The disadvantage of the Nakjavani’s (1981) study reports that the
authors comes with the issue of authorship 2. Past research literature theory of phenomenology opposes the concept of
incorporates evidence of how the author’s experiences authorship. Much of the connection between the author and
impact their works of writing; therefore, the personas in the characters is the view of an arrangement rather than a
their novels are also affected by their social experiences. relationship. Indeed, some suggest that the characters were
This complex situation that is embedded in the field of often structuralized rather than thought up. It’s known that
literature portrays important connections. It is a study of literature has its own set of rules to follow rather than
effort to provide and extend research with regards to the replying to one’s thoughts, expectations, and criticism.
practical gender fluidity following the effects of societal Others point out that this is not entirely true. Wilde says,
pressures on the individual’s sexual identities and life. This “Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life” (Wilde,
succeeding literature is better to use to understand the 1998, p. 254). By producing himself in his work, Wilde
*Corresponding author Email: eacatitlavelazquez@csustan.edu
1
Heterosexual culture is a social structure with the belief in relationships 3
Textual phantom is a relationship between the writer and their text.
with the opposite sex, emotionally, socially, and sexually.
2
Authorship is defined as a physically independent author who reflects
themselves into their text, with or without being aware of it.shows his viewpoints and hidden gender identity, causing these “real” identities the characters display is the view as
negative scandals and trials about the unresolved plots in a fictional experiment of the author rather than a real thing.
the novel. Indeed, it leads some to think that Wilde was interested in
The aspects of Gomel connect to the interpretation the imagination rather than the authentic self. Due to the
of Carroll’s (2012) study where she presents the society in social consequences, individualism brings about. Others
The Picture of Dorian Gray. A place where art is viewed point out that the experiment seems artificial. Wilde says,
as unmanly, weak, or even as degenerated with “This result not merely from Life’s imitative instinct, but
homosexuality. This attracts the attention to social from the fact that the self-conscious aim of Life is to find
anxieties, provoking a replacement of direct clues to their expression, realize that energy” (Wilde, 1998, pg. 254).
real forms of identity that link the author to their Therefore, Wilde shows that compassionate ties are a
production. When people find out that Wilde is producing personal responsibility for progress in life.
homosexuality in his novel, they begin to question his Davis’ (2013) study declares that the environment
gender identity, causing harmful scandals and trials. This plays a huge role in the individual’s outlook on sexual
fictional text turns against the body, and the dangers of identity. He observes the effects that come from the
pursuing the ideal self-take place in the Aesthetic exploration of the self, the individual’s knowledge and
Movement 4, known as Aestheticism, where the human thoughts. By diving into the features and characteristics of
body is limited, only being led by a soul (Gomel, 2004, the individuals in the novels, he finds a connection
para.15). Therefore, this movement serves as a between the “mind, body, and environment” (55). Qualities
counterargument to the oppressive forces that society of masculinity are part of social influence and pressure
implies in individuals. It supports the connection between affecting the character’s sexual identities meaning that this
the characters and authors. Carroll found certain sets of factor should be included in analyzing hidden genders
characteristic behaviors that involved personality and between the writers and society. Wilde’s self-image dives
cognitive psychology by considering Darwinism 5 (2012). It into the empathic human ties which create personal
shows the importance of the ever-changing environments responsibility (Wilde, 1998, p. 32).
where human nature emerges from the individual’s values Mehaffey’s (1994) covers the look on historical
and depicts the subject’s mutual relationship to the author. issues that point out sexuality components in Wharton’s
The three main characters, Basil, Lord Henry, and Dorian, text The House of Mirth. Desire connects and manipulates
develop hidden feelings for each other. Dorian is Wilde’s the gender of sexual metaphors. Textual evidence shows
secret soul of desires while Basil represents his artistic the position of women, how they have two sign-values
image, and Henry his class standard as an aristocrat such as in their father’s name and market exchange. Lily’s,
(Wilde, 1998, pp. 12-13). the main character, virginity makes her superior to Bertha
The concepts of Carroll attach to the interpretation who functions as an exchange of desire. In their society,
of Tuttleton’s (1982) study that proves how society’s men are the determining factors, implying that women are
pressures on the individual self and self-aspiration can seen as inferior objects to the male producer. The needs
relate to the real world. the books, The Picture of Dorian and desires of men promote homosocial in differences in
Gray and The House of Mirth, have sensual content such as earnings. This study’s limitations are due to the focus on
depicting the beauty in both men and women, pointing out gender, sexuality, and class in the characters (1994). It
homosexuality. Today’s society is more open to various does not consider the author’s individual or social
gender identities, but not globally. Nowadays, there are challenges that lead to her hidden gender identity.
some hidden gender identities; therefore, the characters and However, authorship provides Wharton’s position as a
their times are important to consider. By utilizing the feminist who opposes sexuality in place of the market
character’s behaviors, such as that of Dorian Gray and Lily because, like Lily, she refuses a desire for gender status.
Bart, similar variables are found upon a complex study of She desires for “her fluid sense of self” in “a room of her
the sameness and differences in their generation to the real own” (Von Rosk, 2001, p. 328). Lily, the main character in
world (1982). As the characters turn away from the Wharton’s book, was seen as purely superior to Bertha,
traditional viewpoints, they begin to explore their who was impure. In their society, men are the determining
individuality and prioritize their values. The results of factors, implying that women are viewed as inferior objects
social pressure increase the threats to self-image and for manipulation.
gender identities. This heterosexual atmosphere consists of Mehaffey’s idea of Wharton’s identification
same-sex feelings in the images of sensuality, male and further develops into the concept of environment in
feminine beauty, the character’s relationships, and sexual Singley’s (2003) study that shows the balance between
fidelity. Wharton began writing novels after her marriage, faith and reason in nationhood during the 19th-century. By
when she had a nervous breakdown, and writing became providing details of how the French people stood together
her therapy. This shows that Wharton wrote parts of herself in pain and suffering during the reign of Germany, gave
in her novels. way to the significance of nationhood. By comparing
Fritz’s (2013) study reports the artistic or America to France in terms of values and teachings,
performed nature of the self in various places. Some of Americans focus more on securing materialistic values and
4
The Aesthetic Movement, mid-19 century through the 20th century,
challenged the Victorian traditions of the Christian ethos of good faith.
5
Darwinism, behavioral genetics in species’ natural evolution, turned
into meaningful patterns.France on honesty and respect. Wharton stepped out of the affected the characters and their author’s gender identities,
selfish American culture to find alternatives, nationalism I used the evidence in the novels themselves. Literary
and acquired a global perspective that protected her from criticism discussions were quite useful as well. In Edith
modernity, from following a standardized life. In her book, Wharton’s The House of Mirth, I investigated the character
The House of Mirth, she expresses cultural value through named Lily and other married women who were subjected
the identities the characters adopted. Lily, a character, to gender roles. Wharton was known to have some lesbian
relied more on the natural selection of people and their affairs after being married for years. In Oscar Wilde’s The
identity; therefore, moved away from tradition and a Picture of Dorian Gray, the three main male characters
connection to her nation (2003). This study implies that developed feelings for one another. Wilde was secretly
culture in the 20th-century is changing and still slowly involved in an affair with another man while married.
developing to connect borders. In other words, there was I analyzed some works of Wilde, The Picture of
no dominant race or gender but shared humanity. Dorian Gray, and Wharton, The House of Mirth, through
Overall, Singley and the rest of the authors add up various techniques and methods of criticism from other
to Orlando’s (2017) study about the disconnection between scholars with similar perspectives. A three-layer outline of
art and morality. Every artistic mind should be connected my main theories used both the primary sources,
in some way throughout time, whether matching or autobiographies, interviews, or letters, and secondary
developing something better. Wilde was a man more sources, online databases, to investigate my hypothesis in-
socially connected to women because he would rather be depth. The first section drove into the social gender
talking and entertaining the world of art than going out to identities and pressures during the mid-19th century to the
hunt games or play cards. Wharton picked up on the 20th century. For this section, I searched online for
invitation and influences that Wilde began when letting Victorian homosexuality and found evidence in the texts to
women join the circle of artistic men. Wilde believed that compare and connect it. The second concept dealt with
women were natural beings in the literature and arts. He gender fluidity and its’ the beauty of the mind, body, and
was blamed for living a more emotional life than a real atmosphere. In this part, I searched online articles
one, to the point where he would think art was useless. depicting sensual content in a homosexual context. The
Wharton’s The House of Mirth showed the social classes third theory laid on the concept of authorship and how it
depending on the interior of people’s places, such as the handled the pressures of society in their novels. For this
covering of books and how many took for a beautiful piece, I read criticism books such as “women and Wilde”
appearance. People are influenced by their environment, and “men and Wharton” for deeper comprehension; as well
whether it is an art in their homes, as in Wilde’s and as evidence in the novel themselves and online discussions.
Wharton’s case (2017). Without the connection to our If gender identities were exposed to social pressures, I
environment, our society would be divided, and ignorance explained the conditions.
would spread covering the forms of beauty and potential in The type of research design that I applied to my
art. research question was a qualitative design with an
The lack of considering hidden gender identities, approach to phenomenology and textual analysis with
and the reports that fail to include the author’s link to some rhetorical criticism. Rhetorical criticism allowed me
current literature was the main point for this study-- to to measure my operationalized theories and concepts. I
include the pressures of society interconnected males and used the library’s databases, such as MLA Biography and
females. With this current research, it is hypothesized that One Search, to reveal the gender fluidity in the authors to
there are social pressures that led writers to hide their real their characters. They discussed the role of society and
identities in literature. Authors wrote about their revealed the parallel between the author and their
experiences or longed imagination; therefore, I expect my characters. The connection to real-life was effective
results to bring forth a parallel to how society played its through literary analysis of publications, such as the novels
role in the characters and writers of the novels. Wilde and online interpretations. These primary and secondary
should be compared with Wharton rather than someone sources that showed the social pressures, and the anxiety of
else because they both are escaping the pressures and the individual, led to hidden gender identities in the novels.
burdens of social obligations. If this is proven to be true, it This exploration of the personal life of Wilde and Wharton
could give a foundation of information for future research provided connections to convince my reader that my
in the effects and influence of society on the author and observations were relevant.
their text regarding gender fluidity with insights to hidden
gender identities in the novels. Results and Discussions
Experiment and non-experiments are idioms used
Methods for the social sciences and sciences but in my literary case,
Experiments and non-experiments are idioms used I found interpretations that uncovered the main connections
for the sciences and social sciences, where they used between the writers and their context. My research design
surveys or subjects for testing out their hypothesis. In my examined both Wilde’s and Wharton’s experiences as they
case of literature, I conducted interpretations to uncover the consciously or unconsciously wrote about a life they
most important concepts and connect the literature’s longed for. The authors showed the same social pressures
context with that of its authors. The use of primary and disguised differently due to their slightly different time
secondary sources helped to answer my research question. frames. I found scholarly journals, articles, and critical
To show that the social pressure of the 19th-20th century essays from databases for my data. This explorationprovided connections to convince my reader that my heteronormativity society versus queer theory, and the
observations of the personal life of Wilde and Wharton; as Aesthetic Movement versus oppressive forces. My cases
well as society’s pressure on their lives and works are were books by Oscar Wilde and Edith Wharton. The data I
important. worked with are related to the concept of authorship, the
There were limitations in criticism analysis, such attitudes of Christianity and heteronormativity in British
as the lack of communication since interpretations varied society, and the behaviors of gender-fluid individuals. As
in meaning. The authors were another limitation because time passes from one book to another, concepts such as
some believe that Wilde was not a good choice for a authorship still exist in numbers even if Christian beliefs
believer in the actual self. Even if the author demonstrated and oppressive forces decrease.
an artistic self, my point showed that society played a role My sample is large enough to generalize the
in their hidden gender identities. Wharton did not have larger population because it brings light to the types of
enough critiques or evidence on her sexual orientation, but oppression and burdens that take place in modern times
her novel served as evidence. I found some hidden gender concerning the LGBTQ community. Even though they are
identities that revealed the true implications of Wharton’s no longer hiding, other types of emerging labels are not
feminist position that opposed the desire for gender status entirely expressed. It is known that discrimination and
(Mehaffey, 1994). It showed how her characters were hatred are still alive within the community; therefore, the
objects to men; therefore, it pointed out society’s pressures greater categories obtain full power and control. For
and flaws. It led to individuals hiding their gender example, there are some Latino studs dating white studs.
identities. Also, it showed that there was a connection The community does not accept two studs together, and
between the individual and the actual world (Tuttleton, others feel uncomfortable with this intersectionality. In
1982). The behaviors of society influenced a similar acknowledging these hardships, the future for the rising
outcome to that of the characters and their times. LGBTQ+ authors and people look bright.
The literature theory of phenomenology went The ones who would be affected by my research
against the theory of authorship, but most authors created would be professionals in the literature (particularly, those
their own rules. Authorship linked to my research question in the Modern British field). My sources are relevant and
proved that the author is connected to their textural works reliable because they were backed up by others in the same
(Gomel, 2004). A writer cannot write about something they field and profession. Also, policymakers alter laws to
have not experienced or thought of, so there is bound to be protect students and victims of the LGBTQ community.
a connection with their writings. Simply, what influences This group of people is still struggling to be accepted and
the writer was reflected in what they wrote, therefore, we to fit in. They are obligated to fight for their rights from
saw how social pressures took a major role in the healthcare to working facilities because some of those
development of one’s sexual identities. The social anxieties people are working against them to downgrade and
of the characters in The Picture of Dorian Gray; especially, eliminate their desires for true happiness. Some companies
of Dorian whose anxiety showed in his self-portrait do not hire you or treat you if your gay or lesbian. History
(Carroll, 2012). The society in which this novel took place is repeating itself; therefore, we are still living in a
is during the Aesthetic Movement, where traditional heteronormative community; it only gets better at hiding
Christian ideas were being challenged, such as art seen as these issues by entertaining with television or games even
unmanly. Authorship created additional pressure for our phones are distracting from the real world. It helps
writers when dealing with social oppression because they make changes for better ideas and policies for the entire
could not hide anything from society. community. My research impacts most Universities,
My research helps promote basic research with a students, communities, and potentially law enforcers by
slightly applied finding. It affects the field of literature revealing the need for more understanding and protection.
because it exposed the comparison between Oscar Wilde Institutions understand the queer, authorship, and literature
and Edith Wharton. A lot is learned from the past for a phenomenology theories more; and how the past relates to
better future and a more understanding generation. When the present. The use of the actual and fictional identities of
the hidden past is undug, things like how Wilde and Wilde and Wharton gives a sense of environmental
Wharton escaped these burdens of social obligations help influences, whether pressures from Europe or America. It
educate the modern world. It teaches about the change in is important to spread awareness and save lives. The issues
gender roles that are happening nowadays. It proves that that lie in traditional values and the customs ways of
oppression and social pressures run through history, with perceiving things must be dealt with. When people come
no exemption for today. It is significant because it reveals together with the same goals, their ideas make a change in
the burdens, anxieties, hidden genders, and oppressions society.
that the social obligations imply on them.
The type of graphics that was best suitable for my Acknowledgements
project was the basic grouped bar chart. In Figure 1, a Special thanks to Dr. Suditi Gupta and Dr. Newton
visual representation of my concepts in groups and for guiding me through this step of my research, to the CSU
arranged bars was to show the differences in each category Stanislaus Honors Program for giving me this possibility,
throughout time to compare the values between bars and and to my mentors Professor Wolfe from the Modern British
divided segments. My variables were the 19th century Literature Department and Professor Davis from the English
throughout time. My subsets were authorship versus the Department for this guidance and expertise in literature; as
literature theory of phenomenology, Christianity and well as, the Stanislaus State Librarian, Tim held, whosuggested specific databases to search for information on my topic. References [1] Fitzsimons, E. (2015). WILDE’S WOMEN: How Oscar Wilde Was Shaped by the Women He Knew. New York: Duckworth Overlook. [2] Gagnier, R. (1991). Critical Essays on OSCAR WILDE. New York: G.K. Hall & Co. [3] Carroll, Joseph. "Aestheticism, Homoeroticism, and Christian Guilt in The Picture of Dorian Gray." Twentieth- Century Literary Criticism, edited by Kathy D. Darrow, vol. 272, Gale, 2012. Gale Literature Resource Center. [4] Gomel, Elana. "Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and the (Un)Death of the Author." Narrative, vol. 12, no. 1, 2004, p. 74+. Gale Literature Resource Center. [5] M. Davis. “Mind and Matter in the Picture of Dorian Gray.” Victorian Literature and Culture. Vol. 41, 2013, pp. 547-560. Languages and Literatures. [6] Mehaffey, Marilyn Maness. "Manipulating the metaphors: 'The House of Mirth' and 'the volcanic nether-side' of 'sexuality.'." College Literature, vol. 21, no. 2, 1994, p. 47+. Gale Literature Resource Center. [7] Orlando, E.J. (2017). “Perilous Coquetry”: Oscar Wilde’s Influence on Edith Wharton and Ogden Codman, Jr. American Literary Realism, vol. 50(1), pp. 25-48. [8] Singley, Carol J. “Race, Culture, Nation: Edith Wharton and Ernest Renan.” Durham: Duke University Press, vol. 49, 2003, pp. 32-45. Twentieth-Century Literature. [9] Tuttleton, James W. "Edith (Newbold Jones) Wharton." American Realists and Naturalists, edited by Donald Pizer and Earl N. Harbert, Gale, 1982. Dictionary of Literary Biography Vol. 12. Gale Literature Resource Center. [10] Von Rosk, Nancy. “Spectacular Homes and Pastoral Theaters: Gender, Urbanity and Domesticity in “The House of Mirth.” Studies in the Novel, vol. 33, 2001, pp. 322-350. JSTOR Arts & Sciences XI. [11] WHARTON, E. D. I. T. H. (2019). House of Mirth. S.l.: KTOCZYTA PL. [12] Wilde, Oscar and Page, Norman. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Broadview Press, Peterborough, Ontario, 1998.
Figures Figure 1. From authorship, the attitudes of a Christian society to the behaviors of gender-fluid people such as Queer individuals. They are grouped into two categories on the left, representing the books and their eras. Time passes from one book to another; these concepts still exist in numbers even if society decreases their Christian beliefs. The issues lie in traditional values and the customs ways of perceiving things.
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