While I am reading the first few chapters of
A Picture of Dorian Gray, I am constantly reminded of a book I read a few years ago called
Steppenwolf by Herman Hesse. I will explain the connection shortly, but first, a few words on Mr. Wilde.
To me, Oscar Wilde is both a genius and a jerk at the same time. I am constantly overwhelmed by his words. Very few writers in the English language have the talent to express ideas so simply. He is fond of the literary maxim. No, not
this maxim, but
this one:
maxim |ˈmaksim|
(noun)
a short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct : the maxim that actions speak louder than words.
And the preface is made up of a long list of maxims that help set the scene of the book. Even the characters talk in maxims, such as this example:
"Laughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is far the best ending for one."
(p. 15)
While most of them are truly excellent summaries of what is important in life, many times Wilde comes off as elitist, egotistical and generally, well, a jerk! For example,
"Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope. They are the elect to whom beautiful things mean only Beauty."
(p. 5)
The cultivated? The elect? Nothing could be more elitist and undemocratic! Does that mean the rest of the world is worthless? This is a view that perfectly reflects the wealth and class divisions of Victorian England. Wilde seems to be saying that anyone who cannot find beauty in something beautiful, is somehow less of a person (i.e., not elect or cultivated). Basically, he dismisses anyone who is not like him! What about the people who work for a living? Does Basil Hallwood give a damn about them? Nope.
And this brings me back to
Steppenwolf by Herman Hesse. Published in 1929, the book is basically about this character who is so sad and depressed because he feels like he doesn't fit in with "regular people" in the world. Because he is a person who thinks about important things, he believes he is better than all the "poor souls" who do not see the truth of life and instead go on with their daily activities happily.
Like most German literature, it discusses some very serious and important philosophical questions (What if there really IS nothing more to life than just living?), but I became so disgusted and depressed when I was reading this book, that I was convinced these ideas brought me nothing but sadness.
The thought of being disconnected from other people is not a feeling I want. I find happiness in connection with people (teaching is great for that.) Maybe there is no God. And maybe there is no afterlife and when we die we just return to dust. But while I am alive, I'm going to do my best to make sure that I live my life as completely as I can. I want to meet and connect with people and make sure that I am benefitting those people in some way and that those people can benefit me.
I disagree with Oscar Wilde. There is no such thing as a "cultivated" person or an "elect" person who is different from others. I can probably learn something from Basil and Lord Henry (maybe) and Dorian, but I bet I can learn something from the non-cultivated and non-elect.
Anyone can find beauty in anything - especially the simpler things in life (love, anyone?) As Plato said, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
I enjoy this musical response:
