INTRODUCTION: During the Victorian era, the upper class was known for their etiquette. Although numerous customs and guidelines existed, certain behaviors were prohibited because they were considered inappropriate for various reasons, ranging from subtle flirting to outright indecency. It was often considered impolite or impolite to ask or imply certain things about a person, especially since the rigid class system of Victorian era England served as a barrier between the sexes and social classes. It was around this time that florigraphy, also known as the language of flowers, became commonplace in their culture. Florography was used in England to convey certain meanings, typically to convey romantic interest, but depending on the flowers and/or their arrangement, it could suggest a more negative message. It was a fairly common communication tactic during the Victorian era. Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray is, at first glance, a novel about the death of a young, handsome man as he journeys into a world of self-indulgence, immorality, and wickedness. Although the overriding motif of beauty versus ugliness is the main point to be learned, Wilde's use of symbols, especially flowers, cannot go unnoticed. From characterization to the depiction of religious allusions, flowers are often used in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Clearly, the novel's use of roses, orchids, lilacs, and the like has an underlying meaning, which will be explored and analyzed in this essay. Due to the popularity of flowers in Victorian England, Wilde's use of floral imagery was intentional and had some effect. on the public as a whole. Even stylistically the language of the novel is flowery and dreamlike. The question is, why did Oscar Wilde use floral imagery in The Pic... middle of paper... This essay discusses the Picture of Dorian Gray enough to explain how the floral imagery influenced the meaning of the novel. Wilde's use of floral imagery and symbolism earned him a place as one of the greatest and most influential writers of all time. Bibliography/Works Cited "The Picture of Dorian Gray". Novels for students. Ed. Ira Mark Milne and Timothy Sisler. vol. 20. Detroit: Gale, 2005. 146-165. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Network. September 5, 2013.Laufer, Geraldine A. Tussie-mussies. New York: Workman, 2000. Print.Smith, Emily Esfahani. Wilde in an hour. 1st ed. Hannover: In an Hour, 2009. Print.Solomon, Danielle. "Dorian Gray's Orchids." Np, 04 December 2012. Web. 11 October 2013. .Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. New York: Barnes & Nobles, 2003. Print.