S ONE STRANE LAKANOVOG OGLEDALA: DORIJAN GREJ PROTIV PORTRETA – PSIHOLOŠKI PROFIL JEDNOG (SAMO)UBICE

Abstract

Even though the theme of narcissism in The Picture of Dorian Gray is not foreign to literary criticism, the substantial part of that research focuses on the intertwining of it with other aspects of the novel. In such light, the criminal undertone of Dorian’s character can get lost and thus be in danger of being justified. This paper aims toward shedding some light on the dark side of a literary criminal, with an important accent on disregarding the eponymous hero’s sexuality, since it plays no significance in the analysis and, in such a manner, removes itself from the hyperproduction of papers centered around it. The methodological basis for this research is primarily found in J. Lacan and his Mirror Stage, as well as in forensic psychology and psychiatry. Taking into account contemporary scientific findings as well as the specific time and place the novel was created, this paper’s goal is to outline a psychological profile of a narcissistic criminal. In that way, the paper explores aspects of psychology and psychiatry in the novel that have been somewhat neglected in the main current of research.