personal reflection

Chapter 2 of "Three Versions of the Salome Legend" begins with a discussion of interpretations of literature that take into account authors' lives. The author of this thesis feels that an understanding of Wilde's personal life is useful to the interpretation of his art. Particularly this relates to the ways in which Wilde attracted attention but veiled his inner life from the public eye. This is reflected in Wilde's art: "It is easy to see how this system of camouflage relates to one of the central motifs in Wilde's work--the theme of mask. A mask will attract attention while diverting it from what lies hidden behind. The imagery that highlights this topic varies but always within the framework of self-reflection. The symbol may be a narcissus, a pool, a mirror, a portrait, the moon, or the eyes of another. It does not imply a mere examination of the external but rather indicates an attempt to find the relation between the external appearance and the internal self, between mask and reality. The question is one of self-reflection and self knowledge" (55-56).