Honors Theses

Document Type

Thesis

Date of Completion

Fall 12-2-2025

Academic Year

2025-2026

Department

English

Academic Major

English Education

Faculty Advisor

Michael Claxton, Ph.D.

Abstract

The novels Lady Audley’s Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon and The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde both present major themes of beauty, authenticity, and morality while maintaining their didacticism. This thesis comes as a surprise due to the beliefs and intentions of the authors, both of whom claim other motivations than the betterment of their readers. The parallels between these narratives ascribe to the fallible Victorian perspectives regarding external appearance and internal motivations. The danger of assumed authenticity becomes apparent in these authors’ works as they grapple with the realities of human nature. Wilde and Braddon each depict beautiful protagonists who are loved by others for the glamour of their physical features and their social allure. But as their individual stories progress, the true qualities of both Dorian Gray and Lady Audley are revealed; their sinful actions, the consequences thereof, and their ultimate exposure, lead to similar tragedies as the novels close. When the books are read according to the ideas of beauty and truth of the Victorian era, they form a simultaneous endorsement of moral character and remind readers of a warning for all times: do not judge a book by its cover.

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