Camryn Dunlap
“There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book.” – Oscar Wilde
This aphorism was written by Oscar Wilde in the preface of his novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. Oscar Wilde was a believer in Aestheticism, the idea that art exists only for art’s sake and not for deeper meaning. The philosophy of Aestheticism is centered around being free from moral or immoral connotations within the realm of art. The Aesthetic movement spanned from 1860 to 1900 and focused on producing only beautiful art and avoiding a deeper meaning to the art. Art includes paintings, music, dance, and most importantly in the context of this aphorism, books. In Wilde’s aphorism he claims that books are never moral or immoral. While I agree that a book itself is not a living being, and therefore cannot commit moral or immoral acts, but I also believe that books teach us lessons about morality and have an effect on how we learn to behave and view the world.
In the beginning of The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian is very impressionable and naïve to immorality and to the world. He is not provided much depth as a character as he is primarily described by Basil Hallward, in a near obsessive manner, about all of the pieces he has posed for and is the epitome of angelic beauty. He is unaware of this ethereal beauty that he possesses until he meets Lord Henry “Harry” Wotton. Harry is a friend of Basil’s who meets Dorian in the studio one day as Basil is painting his portrait. It is in this studio that Harry has his first influential conversation with Dorian. In this conversation Dorian becomes aware for the first time of his beauty, and in his first moment of vanity he wishes that the painting would age rather than himself. He wishes that he would always remain as he is in that moment. From that moment Dorian becomes close friends with Harry and takes influence from him. He takes part in increasingly immoral acts. At one point Harry gifts Dorian a book that consumes his every thought. This book is implied to be a corrupting influence that Dorian comes to revere. It becomes such a guiding force in Dorian’s life, along with Harry, that it has a massive effect on how Dorian views life.
This book, while it may not be moral or immoral itself, has such a profound effect on Dorian that it changes his behavior and outlook on life and how it should be lived. He does not think of moral or immoral, but only in a hedonistic mindset of doing whatever will increase his happiness, the action be objectively good or bad. The book itself does not have morals, but it changes and shapes Dorian’s morals. We see this affect in everyday life. For example, fairytales have been used throughout history to teach morals to children. Cinderella is good and kind while the Wicked Stepmother is cruel and vain. Cinderella gets the happy ending. Children are read these books to learn right from wrong and good from bad. The books can be simple words on paper and have no moral values themselves, but they impress morals onto the reader.
The aphorism, “there is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book,” implies that books neither have nor contain morality. While they may not have morality themselves, the stories they contain have morals within them. Books are written by humans, and humans are intrinsically moral creatures. We create philosophies, religions, and ideas centered around right and wrong to cope with everyday life. My viewpoint goes directly against the philosophy of Aestheticism. I believe that books contain and teach morality. I also believe that it is in our human nature to look for meaning and understanding of ourselves and life within art, including books.
Hi Camryn,
I totally agree with your explanation. I find it very interesting how Wilde included this aphorism in his book meanwhile the book itself had such strong effects in the sake of being moral or immoral. I understand that books could be seen as not being moral or immoral but the stories that each book provides, shares more to us than we can ever imagine. Characters inside these books revolve around the idea of moral or immoral.
Hi Camryn,
I loved your analysis on the morality or immorality of books. Your example on children’s fairy tales was perfect as it shows that while the book cant choose a standpoint on morality as it is an object, it can teach lessons of morality to children and shape the way they view certain traits.