Abstract
This study aims to disclose the homoerotic male relationship in Oscar Wilde’s novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray” using the genetic structuralism approach proposed by Goldmann. This approach was used in analysing: (a) the homoerotic male relationship; (b) the reason why homoeroticism emerged during the Victorian era; (c) the influences of the author’s biography on the novel; (d) the moral messages from the novel. The result of this study shows that there are three main characters in the novel as the doers of homoerotic relationships, Dorian Gray, Basil Hallward, and Lord Henry. They grow admiration of each other because of the beauty or aestheticism, which leads to the lust that is conveyed through gazes, over-closeness, and acting like more than just normal friends. The emergence of homoeroticism in the Victorian era was caused by the dominance of the male in society, the act of homosexuality, and the culture at that time. The author’s biography shares significant influences on this novel as Wilde states that he represents himself to the main characters. Despite the novel being about homoeroticism, this study finds that some messages could be learned from the novel.
References
- Adut, A. (2005). A Theory of Scandal: Victorians, Homosexuality, and the Fall of Oscar Wilde. American Journal of Sociology, 111(1), 213–248. https://doi.org/10.1086/428816
- Akudolu, L. O., Okwuosa, I. K., Okeke, I. J., Okolie, C. N., Ofoegbu, F. C., Ojiegb, V. N., Akpa, C. O., Solomon, K. C., Eze, H. O., & Okolo, C. J. (2024). Oscar Wilde’s Moral Philosophy: A Synthesis between Aestheticism and The Picture of Dorian Gray. Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education, 24(1), 158–164.
- Alina, G., & Alina, G. (2023). The theme of morality, beauty and false values in Oscar Wilde’s novel" The picture of Dorian Gray". https://dspace.kmf.uz.ua/jspui/bitstream/123456789/2904/1/Gerzanics_Alina_The_theme_of_morality_beauty_and_false_values_in_Oscar_Wildes_novel_2023.pdf
- Arinto, T. Y. (2008). The World View of Charles Dickens in Oliver Twist: A Genetic Structuralism Approach. Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta.
- Brinkley, E. S. (1998). Homosexuality as (Anti) Illness: Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray and Gabriele D’Annunzio’s Il Piacere. Studies in 20th & 21st Century Literature, 22(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.4148/2334-4415.1434 Bristow, J. (2015). The blackmailer and the sodomite: Oscar Wilde on trial. 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/1464700115620860
- British Literature Wiki. (2025). Social Life in Victorian England. British Literature Wiki. https://sites.udel.edu/britlitwiki/social-life-in-victorian-england/
- Carroll, J. (2005). Aestheticism, Homoeroticism, and Christian Guilt in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Philosophy and Literature, 29(2), 286–304.
- Danziger, M. K., & Johnson, W. S. (1961). An introduction to literary criticism. Heath.
- Daugherty, L. (2001). The Question of Topical Allusion in Richard Barnfield’s Pastoral Verse. The Affectionate Shepherd: Celebrating Richard Barnfield, 45–61.
- Dubé, J. (2005). BOY, OH BOY: HOMOEROTICISM IN THE ANCIENT GREEK NOVEL. THE MCGILL JOURNAL OF CLASSICAL, 3, 75.
- Eck, M. van. (2019). Female Gendering in Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891) and in the Plotline of Dorian Gray in John Logan’s Penny Dreadful (2014-2016).
- Elfenbein, J. (2012). On the Trials of Oscar Wilde: Myths and Realities | BRANCH. BRANCH: Britain, Representation and Nineteenth-Century History. https://branchcollective.org/?ps_articles=andrew-elfenbein-on-the-trials-of-oscar-wilde-myths-and-realities
- Endraswara, S. (2013). Metodologi Penelitian Sastra (Vol. 2). Center for Academic Publishing Service. Fanani, A., Eka Andini, R., Fidiyanti, M., Mohammad Romdlon, A., & Rosyidi, Z. (2024). WOMAN DISCRIMINATION IN OSCAR WILDE’S THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY. LIED: Lingustic, Literature and English Education, 4(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.55526/lied.v4i1.649
- Foucault, M. (1980). History of Sexuality Volume 1: An Introduction, trans by Rob Hurley (Vol. 1). Vintage Books.
- Gillespie, M. P. (1995). The Picture of Dorian Gray:" what the world thinks me" (A. Kiefer, Ed.). Twayne Pub.
- Goldmann, L. (1975). Towards a Sociology of the Novel (A. Sheridan, Ed.).
- Gomel, E. (2004). Oscar Wilde," The Picture of Dorian Gray," and the (Un) death of the Author. Narrative, 12(1), 74–92.
- Helgeson, V. S. (2012). Gender and health A social psychological perspective. Routledge.
- Houston, L. (2017). Behavior, and Not a Person—Homosexuality. http://www.banap.net/
- Hudson, A. (2021). LGBTQIA+ History Month – Male Homosexuality in Ancient Rome—History @ Bham. University of Birmingham. https://blog.bham.ac.uk/historybham/lgbtqia-history-month-male-homosexuality-in-ancient-rome/
- Iswanto. (1994). Penelitian sastra dalam perspektif strukturalisme genetik. In Jabrohim (Ed.), Teori penelitian sastra (pp. 78–84). IKIP Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta.
- Kersten, A. (2014). Gender and Sexuality in The Picture of Dorian Gray and Dorian Gray. Radboud University: Amsterdam.
- Kobis, D. C. (2019). A Comparative Study: Genetic Structuralism on Jane Eyre and the Great Gatsby. Jurnal Basis, 6(1), 1`12. https://doi.org/10.33884/basisupb.v6i1
- Kumiko, S. (2017). The Picture of Dorian Gray and Oscar Wilde as Critic of Shakespeare’s Sonnets. Studies in Comparative Culture, 131, 13–28.
- Lanigan, D. T. (2022). The Early Aesthetic Movement in England. https://victorianweb.org/painting/aestheticism/lanigan.html Laurenson, D., & Swingewood, A. (1972). The sociology of literature. Paladin.
- Magfirah, S. (2017). Analyzing Social Aspects in The Scarlet Letter Novel By Nathaniel Hawthorne (A Genetic Structuralism Approach). English and Literature Journal, 4(1), 29–36.
- Malti-Douglas, F. (2007). Encyclopedia of sex and gender. Macmillan Reference USA (Part of Thomson Gale).
- Manganiello, D. (1983). Ethics and Aesthetics in" The Picture of Dorian Gray". The Canadian Journal of Irish Studies, 9(2), 25–33.
- Mason, S. (1908). Oscar Wilde: Art and Morality: A Defence of" The Picture of Dorian Gray". Mundus Publishing.
- Matsuoka, M. (2003). Aestheticism and social anxiety in the picture of Dorian Gray. Journal of Aesthetic Education, 29, 77–100.
- Muniroch, S. (2007). Understanding Genetic Structuralism from Its Basic Concept. LiNGUA: Jurnal Ilmu Bahasa Dan Sastra, 2(1).
- Muriqi, L. (2007). Homoerotic Codes in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Lund University
- Nilsen, E. A., & Kudryavtseva, A. A. (2024). The cognitive model of ‘narcissism’ as represented in Oscar Wilde’s novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. VESTNIK IKBFU PHILOLOGY PEDAGOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY, 2, 41–55. https://doi.org/10.5922/pikbfu-2024-2-4
- Nunokawa, J. (1992). Homosexual Desire and the Effacement of the Self in" The Picture of Dorian Gray". American Imago, 49(3), 311–321.
- Nur’aini, W. (2009). Genetics structuralism analysis on Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis. Islamic State University of Jakarta.
- Onu, D., Kessler, T., & Smith, J. R. (2016). Admiration: A Conceptual Review. Emotion Review, 8(3), 218–230. https://doi.org/10.1177/1754073915610438
- Putri, D. (2016). The Shift of Minangkabau Cultural Values in the Novel Persiden by Wisran Hadi (a Genetic Structuralism Approach). Humanus: Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu-Ilmu Humaniora, 15(2), 120–130. https://doi.org/10.24036/jh.v15i2.6514
- Rollyson, C. Ed. (2003). “Oscar Wilde—Biography”—Critical Edition of Dramatic Literature. https://www.enotes.com/topics/oscar-wilde/biography/biography-biography/biography/cite
- Sanna, A. (2012). Silent homosexuality in Oscar Wilde’s Teleny and the Picture of Dorian Gray and Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Law and Literature, 24(1), 21–39. https://doi.org/10.1525/LAL.2012.24.1.21
- Schindler, I., Zink, V., Windrich, J., & Menninghaus, W. (2013). Admiration and adoration: Their different ways of showing and shaping who we are. Cognition and Emotion, 27(1), 85–118. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2012.698253
- Seagroatt, H. (1998). Hard Science, Soft Psychology, and Amorphous Art in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Studies in English Literature, 38(4), 741–759.
- Sociedad, M. (2014). Male homoeroticism desire, power, and subjection. Inter Press Service en Cuba. http://www.ipscuba.net/english-version/society/articles/male-homoeroticism
- Sponsler, C. (2025). Homoeroticism, Female/Male, Concept | Encyclopedia.com. Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender: Culture Society History. https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/homoeroticism-femalemale-concept
- Teeuw, A. (1984). Sastra dan Ilmu Sastra: Pengantar Teori Sastra. Pustaka Jaya. Townshend, K. (2016). Why Do People Blush? - The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/06/why-do-people-blush/489572/
- UK Parliament. (1885). 1885 Labouchere Amendment. https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/private-lives/relationships/collections1/sexual-offences-act-1967/1885-labouchere-amendment/
- Verstraete, Dr. B. C. (1977). Homosexuality in Ancient Greek and Roman Civilization: A Critical Bibliography. Journal of Homosexuality, 3(1), 79–90. https://doi.org/10.1300/j082v03n01_06
- Victorian Era. (2025). Roles of Women in the Victorian Era. https://victorian-era.org/roles-of-women-in-the-victorian-era.html
- Wilde, O. (2013). The Picture of Dorian Gray. Canterbury Classics/Baker & Taylor Publishing Group.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | British and Irish Language, Literature and Culture |
| Journal Section | Research Article |
| Authors | |
| Submission Date | June 20, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | October 10, 2025 |
| Early Pub Date | December 17, 2025 |
| Publication Date | December 17, 2025 |
| IZ | https://izlik.org/JA88BD82YA |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 7 Issue: 2 |
Aim & Scope
The Eurasian Journal of English Language and Literature (EJELL), published by the Department of Western Languages and Literatures , Karabuk University, Türkiye, is an academic, biannual periodical dedicated to advancing scholarly research and fostering intellectual discourse in the fields of English language, linguistics, and literature. The journal aims to:
- Promote disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and encourage the integration of linguistic, literary, and cultural studies to address diverse issues related to English language and literature.
- Provide a platform for academics, researchers, and practitioners from Eurasia and beyond to share innovative ideas, theories, and findings.
- Highlight the role of English language and literature in bridging cultural differences and promoting global dialogue.
- Create opportunities for experienced and early-career researchers to contribute to academic discussions and gain recognition in their respective fields.
- Encourage the diverse perspectives in literary research and publish high-quality research that reflects a wide range of theoretical approaches, methodologies, and perspectives in the study of English language and literature.
- Reach the highest standards of scholarly ethics, ensuring rigorous peer-review and adherence to publication best practices.
EJELL strives to be an inclusive and authoritative source of academic knowledge, contributing significantly to the study and teaching of English language and literature in a rapidly evolving global context.
The Eurasian Journal of English Language and Literature (EJELL) is a biannual academic journal that publishes high-quality, peer-reviewed research across a broad spectrum of topics in English language and literature. The journal’s scope encompasses, but is not limited to, the following areas:
English Language Studies:
-Applied linguistics
-Second language acquisition
-Language teaching methodologies
-Sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics
-Corpus linguistics
-Discourse analysis
-Literary Studies
Analysis of English and world literature:
-Comparative literature studies
-Literary theory and criticism
-Cultural and postcolonial studies
-Interdisciplinary approaches to literature
-Translation and Interpretation
Theories and practices of translation:
-Comparative studies in translation
-Language and culture in translation
-Cross-Cultural and Interdisciplinary Studies
The role of English in global and local contexts:
Literature as a medium for cultural exchange
Intersections of language, literature, and media
Historical and Contemporary Perspectives
Contemporary trends in English studies
The journal welcomes submissions from scholars, researchers, and practitioners worldwide, emphasizing originality, rigor, and relevance to the field. EJELL aspires to contribute to the academic community by promoting diverse perspectives and fostering meaningful dialogue on English language and literature in the Eurasian region and beyond.
Author Guidelines
APA style 6th edition.
Title: Times New Roman, 16
Abstract: (150 to 250 words) Times New Roman, 12
keywords: (3 to 5)
1. Introduction
2. Related Studies
3. Methodology
4. Findings
5. Discussion and Conclusions
6. References
Note: Please use the journal template (EJELL) when submitting your article to EJELL.
Note: Please use the copyright form (EJELL Copyright) when submitting your article to EJELL:
Ethical Principles and Publication Policy
Ethical Principles and Publication Policy
The Eurasian Journal of English Language and Literature (EJELL) is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct in academic publishing. We adhere to the principles of integrity, transparency, and fairness in all aspects of the publication process. The following policies outline the ethical responsibilities of authors, reviewers, editors, and the journal itself.
Ethical Guidelines for Authors
Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must ensure that their submissions are original works and have not been published elsewhere. Proper acknowledgment of the work and ideas of others must be provided through appropriate citations and references. Plagiarism in any form, including self-plagiarism, is strictly prohibited. All submissions will be screened using plagiarism detection software of ITHENTICATE and TURNITIN. We accept papers with less than 24 percent of similarity rate. (exceptions may occur, and will be discussed with the editor).
Authorship and Contribution: Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to the research and writing process. All co-authors must approve the final version of the manuscript and agree to its submission. Any changes to the authorship list after submission must be justified and approved by all parties involved.
Data Integrity and Reproducibility: Authors must provide accurate and reliable data. Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data is unacceptable. Authors should be prepared to share raw data, if requested, to support the reproducibility of their findings.
Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial, personal, or professional conflicts of interest that could influence the research or its interpretation. A statement regarding conflicts of interest should be included in the manuscript if necessary.
Ethical Approval: Research involving human or animal subjects must comply with relevant ethical standards and include a statement of approval from an institutional review board or ethics committee. Upload it saparately during the submission progress as additional file.
Ethical Guidelines for Reviewers
Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential documents and not share or use the information for personal gain.
Objectivity and Fairness: Reviews should be conducted objectively, without personal bias or criticism of the author. Reviewers should provide constructive feedback to help authors improve their work.
Timeliness: Reviewers are expected to complete their evaluations within the agreed timeframe. If additional time is needed, they should inform the editor promptly. If not operated or informed on time the review offer will be withdrawn.
Reviewers must decline to review a manuscript if they have a conflict of interest with the authors, institutions, or funding sources associated with the research.
Ethical Guidelines for Editors
Fairness and Impartiality: Editors must evaluate manuscripts based on their academic merit, without regard to the authors' race, gender, nationality, or institutional affiliation.
Confidentiality: Editors must ensure the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts and not disclose any information about them to unauthorized individuals.
Decision-Making: Editorial decisions should be based on the quality of the manuscript, its relevance to the journal's scope, and the feedback from peer reviewers.Editors must not use unpublished information from submitted manuscripts for their own research without the authors' explicit consent.
Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where they have a conflict of interest.
Publication Policies
Peer Review Process: All submissions undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process to ensure the quality and validity of the research. The review process typically takes 8-12 weeks, and authors will be notified of the decision along with reviewers' comments. However, this will take longer depending on the responses of the reviewer invitations.
Open Access Policy
EJELL is an open-access journal, meaning all published articles are freely available to readers without subscription fees. Authors retain the copyright of their work and grant the journal a non-exclusive license to publish the article.
Retraction and Corrections: In cases of ethical violations, significant errors, or fraudulent data, the journal reserves the right to retract or correct published articles. A notice of retraction or correction will be issued to inform readers. However DERGIPARK systems allows a week for such corrections. No changes could be made after the issue is released. The editor will ask for a final check.
Archiving and Preservation: EJELL ensures the long-term preservation of its content through DERGIPARK digital archiving systems.
Handling Ethical Concerns
Any ethical concerns or complaints regarding the journal's policies or published content should be directed to the Editor-in-Chief and Management Editor. All concerns will be investigated promptly and fairly, following academic ethical guidelines.
Compliance with International Standards
EJELL adheres to the ethical standards set by international organizations, including: APA, MLA, YÖK, and ÜAK.
By adhering to these ethical principles and policies, EJELL aims to foster a culture of integrity and excellence in academic publishing. We welcome contributions that advance knowledge in the fields of English language and literature while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
*The journal offers free access as well as a free publication for articles related to the English language and literature.
*All submitted articles must not be under review nor have been published by other journals.
*The acceptance of the articles since the first submission takes from 3 to 5 months.
Price Policy
Publication is free of charge.
Indexes
Journal Boards
Editorial Board
Dr. Senturk holds a BA in English Language and Literature from Kafkas University as the top student (class of 2010). Having pursued his MA studies in Postcolonial Literary and Cultural Studies at the University of Leeds in 2013, he received his PhD in English Literature from the University of Leicester, UK in 2019. Dr. Senturk was selected to represent the University of Leicester in a HeForShe United Nations project (2016-2019) against gender-based violence on campus. He was also the recipient of an award for "The Best Graduate Student Essay" contest organised by the Doris Lessing Society in 2017. His research interests lie in issues relating to gender, race and class in contemporary British fiction. He is specifically interested in critical social theory and critical literature pedagogy. He currently acts as the vice chair of the department, and as the deputy director in the School of Foreign Languages.
I have a PhD in English Literature and more than fifteen years of experience in various fields
Advisory Board
Dr. Senturk holds a BA in English Language and Literature from Kafkas University as the top student (class of 2010). Having pursued his MA studies in Postcolonial Literary and Cultural Studies at the University of Leeds in 2013, he received his PhD in English Literature from the University of Leicester, UK in 2019. Dr. Senturk was selected to represent the University of Leicester in a HeForShe United Nations project (2016-2019) against gender-based violence on campus. He was also the recipient of an award for "The Best Graduate Student Essay" contest organised by the Doris Lessing Society in 2017. His research interests lie in issues relating to gender, race and class in contemporary British fiction. He is specifically interested in critical social theory and critical literature pedagogy. He currently acts as the vice chair of the department, and as the deputy director in the School of Foreign Languages.
