Introduction
In today’s world of booming technologies, we face a serious problem: how to effectively utilise technology so that we can become its master instead of its slave.
A vagabond wanders alone through the streets, clutching a drawing board in his hand, still chasing after the elusive God of Art with eyes eager to discover beauty. He is, undeniably, a drifter in the age of materialism—a living embodiment of the “poor artist” archetype, one often dismissed as an outcast, yet standing as an unyielding testament to creative perseverance. This image may evoke heartache and dismay, yet it is also the reality that many artists in modern society face, navigating an existence where passion must battle pragmatism. However, with government support, artists can sustain their craft, and their livelihoods may be preserved. In my view, such an act is not merely generous—it is an affirmation of the intrinsic value of artistic expression in human civilization.
It is quite interesting to think about the motivations of Juvenalian satirists. The famous declaration made by Jonathan Swift, “to vex the world”, instead of being born from the simply attributed “cynicism” or “misanthropy”, ironically enough, actually originates from the innate belief in the possibilities of improvements in human society and the essential goodness of human nature. If one is merely cynical, it would make no sense at all for such fierce moral indignation, instead, one would simply shrug indifferently and walk away, which is exactly opposite to the vehement acts of a Juvenalian satirist, who is a true vindicator of social justice and liberty. Juvenalian satire is like the rallying cry of ancient prophets, full of energy and determination.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is a philosophical novel written by the Irish writer Oscar Wilde. It tells us that hedonism and amoral actions will eventually lead the tempted to decay and death without ever trying to tell it. Oscar Wilde wrote it without any moralistic intention due to his belief in aestheticism, which claims art itself is useless thus without any social implication. Bearing this philosophy of art in mind, this work destines to be a book of open interpretations, a book elevated or deprecated by the view lens adopted by different people, a world full of possibilities, just like every other great novel ever written.