Hypocrisy

Definition

Hypocrisy refers to the act of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform. It often involves a disconnect between what individuals or institutions profess and what they actually practice, highlighting a form of deceit and insincerity. This concept is crucial in understanding social dynamics and the critique of societal norms, especially within literature that scrutinizes character and morality.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In the novels of Charles Dickens, hypocrisy often manifests through characters who portray themselves as virtuous while engaging in morally questionable actions, revealing societal flaws.
2. Dickens critiques the social institutions of his time by exposing the hypocrisy of characters like Mr. Bumble in 'Oliver Twist,' who abuses power while pretending to uphold moral standards.
3. Oscar Wilde employs hypocrisy in his works to satirize Victorian society, showcasing how characters publicly adhere to strict moral codes while privately indulging in vice.
4. Wilde's characters frequently embody the tension between appearance and reality, illustrating how societal expectations can lead to hypocritical behavior.
5. The exploration of hypocrisy serves as a lens for both Dickens and Wilde to comment on broader social issues, such as class disparity and moral duplicity in their respective societies.

Review Questions

• How do Dickens’s portrayals of hypocrisy serve as a critique of Victorian society?
  • In Dickens's works, characters often exhibit hypocrisy by presenting themselves as morally upright while their actions contradict these claims. For instance, Mr. Bumble in 'Oliver Twist' pretends to be a benevolent figure but exploits those he is meant to help. This contrast not only highlights individual character flaws but also critiques the broader societal norms that allow such duplicity to thrive, suggesting that social institutions themselves are often complicit in maintaining these hypocritical standards.
• Discuss how Wilde’s use of hypocrisy reflects the tension between public morals and private behavior.
  • Wilde's literature frequently illustrates the gap between public morality and private indulgence. His characters, like Dorian Gray in 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' outwardly conform to societal expectations yet engage in morally corrupt behaviors behind closed doors. This duality emphasizes the absurdity of rigid moral standards that ignore human complexity and the reality that many people live hypocritically. By doing so, Wilde invites readers to question the authenticity of societal values and the pressures that compel individuals to lead double lives.
• Evaluate the impact of hypocrisy on character development in both Dickens’s and Wilde’s narratives.
  • Hypocrisy plays a significant role in character development for both Dickens and Wilde, acting as a catalyst for personal conflict and moral questioning. In Dickens's stories, characters like Fagin illustrate how hypocrisy can lead to degradation and exploitation within society. In contrast, Wilde often portrays characters like Lord Henry Wotton as charismatic figures who manipulate societal expectations for personal gain, creating tension between their charming facade and inner turmoil. This focus on hypocrisy allows readers to see how societal pressures shape identities and influence ethical dilemmas faced by individuals, ultimately contributing to their downfall or transformation.

Related terms

Irony: A literary device where the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning, often highlighting contradictions or discrepancies in behavior or belief.

Satire: A genre that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock individuals, institutions, or societal norms, often revealing hypocrisy.

Moral Integrity: The quality of being honest and having strong principles, serving as a contrast to hypocrisy and emphasizing the importance of aligning actions with values.