A Comparative Study of European Decadent Literature: Pater, Huysmans, Wilde, and d’Annunzio

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the different outcomes of the decadent movement through a comparative study of some of the most representative authors of fin de siècle Europe, namely Walter Pater, Joris-Karl Huysmans, Oscar Wilde, and Gabriele d’Annunzio. To begin with, I briefly outline the European cultural and literary framework from the beginning of the 19th century to the first decades of the 20thcentury in order to provide a comprehensive background in which the fictional works of the aforementioned writers developed and influenced one other. Secondly, I analyse “Marius the Epicurean” and “Imaginary Portraits” by Pater in their main themes of philosophy, religion, beauty, love, and decay, so that it becomes clear how these works paved the way for following decadent writings. Then, I consider the contribution of “À rebours” by Huysmans, whose corrupted hero represents a model for the dissolute individuality characterizing the main figure of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Wilde. After juxtaposing Dorian to the protagonist of “Salomè”, I examine the decadent nature within Andrea Sperelli, the exemplarily immoral character of “Il Piacere” by d’Annunzio, through the comparison between the two main female figures of the novel that at first appear as opposite entities. To conclude, I summarily delineate the predominant features of these literary works in order to highlight the peculiarities that determined the success of fin de siècle decadent literature.