ワイルドにおける芸術と宗教 ―童話と『獄中記』について―

Abstract

Victorian concept of dualism can be intrinsically found in the narrative construction of Wild's fairy stories. In examining some of them, we can assume that the philosophical or religious nature of his artistic works takes on the conspicuous character of traditional Christian morality. In his De Profundis the relationship between art and Christianity is vividly depicted in terms of Jesus Christ's amazing imagination specified in his literary abilities to form clear pictures or ideas as is shown in the Bible. Here Wilde found Christ's deep sympathy with common people suffering physical disease, poverty, and spiritual unhappiness of wealth. This reveals his unconscious desire to establish his identity as a zealous follower of Christ in relation to artistic creativity.