Dark academia, an abstract notion that can only be defined through a search on Pinterest, is difficult to capture through material references to specific works. In an attempt to define an aesthetic, the Bookworm’s Corner turns to a work that will often be found resting on the bookshelves of those who embody the dark academia aesthetic.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is Oscar Wilde’s philosophical exploration into the themes of youth, hedonism, and morality. The novel is set during the 1800s in London as a young Dorian Gray agrees to have his youthful beauty captured in a portrait. Dark academia thrives within the confines of Victorian England, with the gothic architecture, dimly lit alleys, and dusty bookshelves of the rich. As Dorian Gray becomes increasingly concerned with thoughts of aging and the decay of his beauty, he agrees to an unnatural transaction that will ensure his everlasting youth. Dorian Gray removes his own mortality and places it onto his painted portrait. Throughout the novel, Dorian’s decisions and actions are reflected in his portrait, as it transforms to reflect his character. If you could physically see how your character morphs with every choice that is made, would your actions begin to change?
Through this novel, Wilde manages to capture the stark contrast of physical beauty and internal wickedness as Dorian Gray falls deeper into his narcissism and hedonism. Themes of love and regret intertwine with notions of greed, self-adoration, violence, and decay to create the epitome of dark academia literature. The darkness that lies within the thoughts and actions of the various characters holds an unsettling familiarity, forcing readers to turn inwards and examine their own portraits. The novel critiques the romanticised superficial beauty that society so often praises, revealing the hideous hollowness that rests below the surface. In 304 pages, Wilde places a mirror before society, forcing the reader to view the portrait of their character alongside Dorian Gray’s.
As a young adult, it is inevitable that you will find yourself grappling with thoughts of ageing and the, the awareness that youth and the beauty that accompany it will one day vanish. During these thoughts, this novel serves as a reminder that superficial beauty means little when there is no substance underneath. Our beauty lies in the actions we take and the characteristics we embody as we journey through the world. When students find themselves burdened with the anxiety of how well they are liked or held back by the fear of rejection that shackles them to the mundane, turn to Oscar Wilde. “Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about,” Wilde would say. So too, you are far too important a thing to ever take seriously. Everyone around you is so worried about what others think of them, more often than not they have not had the chance to think about you yet. If readers take anything from The Picture of Dorian Gray, let it be to live a life focused on developing your soul, rather than preserving your beauty.
