Picture of Dorian Gray I: Preface

          In the preface of A Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde illustrates his belief that beauty arises from interpretation. For instance, he states that "those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming [and that] this is a fault" (vii). He claims that those who find ugliness in beauty are the poorer for it, in particular compared with the "cultivated," who "find beautiful meanings in beautiful things," and for whom "there is hope" (vii). He does acknowledge, however, that people may find beauty in different things; in particular,  he believes that the artist should be separated from the piece to avoid objectivity, supporting the notion of "Death of the Author," under which the author's intent is irrelevant and only the interpretation of the reader matters. He believes that different people can view different things as beautiful, but that those who find more beauty are more cultivated. he also states that some things are universally beautiful by the implication of his words "beautiful things"; he had previously stated that beautiful things are created by artists, and therefore could easily perceive everything as beautiful. Therefore, while beauty is subjective, those who find more beauty in everything are in general more "cultivated."
          His tone towards the audience in this passage is playful, but contemplative. He toys with the audience, providing direct contradictions, such as when he first states that "the nineteenth century dislike of Realism is the rage of Caliban seeing his own face in a glass," and then that the dislike "is not" said rage (vii). These show how he almost appears to make a point, provide an argument that can be argued with, allowing the audience to finally grasp a concrete statement, then withdraws that statement by claiming exactly the opposite. On the other hand, many of his statements are deeply philosophical, such as that "to reveal art and conceal the artist is art's aim" (vii). He seems to be involved with a battle of wits with the reader, in which he speaks many deep truths while making no argument; therefore, the tone of his writing is similar to that which on would find in such a battle: simultaneously humorous and thought-provoking.