The Study of Social Gaze in Salome and its Enlightenment for Contemporary College English Majors

Abstract

This paper takes Oscar Wilde’s tragic masterpiece “Salome” as the primary analytical object, delving deeply into the enlightening insights that the social gaze depicted in the play offer to contemporary undergraduate students majoring in English literature. By employing the framework of Gaze Theory, it meticulously analyzes the intricate relationships among gender, power dynamics, and identity construction within the narrative. Through this analysis, the paper uncovers the profound challenges and resolute resistance displayed by female characters to the oppressive gaze of male authority, shedding light on the enduring relevance of Wilde’s work in the context of contemporary gender studies and cultural critique.