Abstract: The emergence of consumer culture inspires people’s pursuit of material enjoyment and the shift of their mind. This essay will analyze The picture of Dorian Gray from the perspective of consumer culture. By introducing the origin of consumer culture, the development of consumer culture, its related studies and its effects on Oscar Wilde, this paper attempts to let people better understand the background of The picture of Dorian Gray. This article will further reveal the main features of consumer culture by analyzing the consumption concept and consumer behavior of the main characters and the whole consumption environment. Finally, this article will discuss that it is inevitable for consumer culture to emerge and develop in Britain in that historical background.

Key words: material enjoyment; consumer culture; Oscar Wilde; the picture of Dorian Gray

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Brief Introduction of Oscar Wilde and The Picture of Dorian Gray-1

1.2 Studies on The Picture of Dorian Gray at Home and Abroad-3

1.3 Studies on Consumer Culture-4

1.4 The Significance of My Study-6

2. Consumer Culture-7

2.1 The Background of Consumer Culture in Victorian Society-7

2.2 The Effect on Oscar Wilde-8

3. Analysis of Consumer Culture in the Novel-9

3.1 Materialism-9

3.2 The Symbolism of Goods-12

3.3 The Influences of Consumer Culture-14

4. Conclusion-17

References-18