concentrated on myself."(p.205) Thus,both Echo and Sibyl represent images ofthe feminine endeavouring to waken their respective male protagoniststo eros- that is,relationship through sexual commitment.Narcissus and Dorianrepresenta protagonist unable to relate to such an image of the feminine The Persona and the Authentic Unconscious 10 The part played by the unconscious in shaping Wilde's novel can scarcely be doubted,in spite of his conviction that he knew what he was about.For,as Lord Henry says: It was the passions about whose origin we deceived ourselves tyrannized most strongly over us.Our weakest motives those of whose nature we were conscious.It often happened when we thought we were experimenting on others we really experimenting on ourselves.(p.59) If Basil is Wilde's persona,his fear of showing Dorian's portrait in public is well-founded:"The reason I will not exhibit the picture is that I am afraid that I have shown in it the secret of my own soul"(p.5).Between 1888 and 1891,much of Wilde's work is concentrated on myself." (p. 205) • Thus, both Echo and Sibyl represent images of the feminine endeavouring to waken their respective male protagonists to eros —that is, relationship through sexual commitment. Narcissus and Dorian represent a protagonist unable to relate to such an image of the feminine. The Persona and the Authentic Unconscious The part played by the unconscious in shaping Wilde's novel can scarcely be doubted, in spite of his conviction that he knew what he was about. For, as Lord Henry says: It was the passions about whose origin we deceived ourselves that tyrannized most strongly over us. Our weakest motives were those of whose nature we were conscious. It often happened that when we thought we were experimenting on others we were really experimenting on ourselves. (p. 59) If Basil is Wilde's persona, his fear of showing Dorian's portrait in public is well-founded: "The reason I will not exhibit the picture is that I am afraid that I have shown in it the secret of my own soul" (p. 5). Between 1888 and 1891, much of Wilde's work is 10’