The Analysis Of Female Images In Oscar Wilde's Works

Oscar Wilde is a representative of Aestheticism of England in the 19th century. The forms of his works are quite rich. Among his works, fairy tales, fictions and dramas made him famous. In these works, Wilde created a series of female images. When we analyze these female images, we should not only be restrained in the view of Aestheticism, but also pay much attention to the Feminist consciousness demonstrated in his process of creation. Wilde concentrated on women at the beginning of his creation. Therefore, the women we read from his fairy tales are no longer the symbols signs of traditional ones. They have independent personality with current significance and value. From Sibyl to Salome, and to Lady Windermere and so on, the women in his works progressed gradually. They broke away from the identity of ornaments in the high society. They had independent human dignity and won respect and love from their husbands. Their ideas and attitudes towards life played a key role in their stable families and marriages. The thesis attempts to analyze the female images of Wilde's works and his understanding of Feminism. Wilde treated these women as media person between the new civilization and the old one. He advocated to solve the family crisis through women's tolerance and forgiveness. Wilde didn't depict these women as angels or witches, he showed his deep consideration and thorough understanding towards reality. All these proved that Wilde is not only a dramatist, but also a thinker.