-
Essay / The idea of imagination in the works of William Wordsworth, Mary Shelley, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Coleridge
After ten weeks of in-depth study of a wide range of some of the greatest literary authors and their representative works , it is difficult to single out just four of these transcendental pieces in such a distinguished list. However, four of these works, as well as their authors, truly stand out and subsequently require further analysis; William Wordsworth's "Prospectus" on The Recluse, Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and Biographia Literaria, written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Although these four authors differ greatly in many aspects, including style and technique, one theme that seems to predominate in their works is that of imagination, a great power that has withstood the ages and continues to this day. Clearly, all of these exemplary writers consider the imagination to be a dominant influence in their work, an attitude succinctly corroborated by Coleridge, when he writes: "The primary IMAGINATION I regard as the principal agent of all perception human”, a powerful quote. this demonstrates the influence of imagination on these authors. The word "primary" is particularly important in the preceding passage, as Coleridge clearly believes that imagination is the most important aspect in the mind when the question of clarity is posed. He understands that a person's imagination allows the mind to be liberated, to see beyond the tangible and enter through the "doors of perception." Likewise, Wordworth understands Coleridge's point of view, writing lyrically "In our minds, in the mind of man - My den and the main region of my song". For Wordsworth, imagination resides in the subconscious of the mind, capable of emerging to bring clarity. Meanwhile, Mary Shelley and Oscar Wilde also incorporate the idea of imagination into their novels, allowing the reader to come to their own conclusion as to the role the mind's eye plays in their respective tales. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay In Frankenstein, Shelley creates one of the most creative and imaginative, albeit crazy, characters in modern literature with her protagonist ,Victor. , the genius behind Frankenstein the mythical monster. It is Victor's twisted imagination that leads him to attempt the incredible: to create and animate a being in the image of Man, contradicting everything that is considered natural and sacred. In devising his master plan, the eccentric scientist becomes convinced that his plan is blessed, commenting: "I myself have become capable of giving animation to lifeless matter." He continues, imagining the adulation that will arise from his epic discovery, growing more and more sure of himself, as he says: "My imagination was too excited by my first success to allow me to doubt my ability to bring life to a animal as complex and marvelous as man. » Although the fundamentals of the idea of imagination are similar in the three works reviewed so far, the word itself has distinct meanings. While for Wordsworth and Coleridge imagination is the ability to think outside one's own mind in the hope of seeking clarity, Shelley, through Victor, describes the idea of imagination as an innovation, with the discovery revolutionary as a cornerstone of the scientist's personal greatness. Ironically, Shelley writes from the imagination with far less creativity than either poet, as the reader is easily able to follow the developing plot. It is quite clear that the own.