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The picture of dorian gray
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In conversation with Lord Henry, Dorian says, “I was terribly cruel to her. You forget that.” then quickly follows up with, “You have explained to me myself, Harry, I felt all that you have said but somehow I was afraid of it, and I could not express it to myself.” (Wilde, 90). Dorian is continuing on the path of no return.
Throughout The Picture of Dorian Gray, author Oscar Wilde consistently discusses the idea of ignorance. Ignorance is an overarching theme that affects both the thoughts of primary characters and their actions. A character greatly affected by ignorance is Dorian Gray. As his policies on life change due to his eternal youth, the primary character of Dorian Gray gradually becomes less and less knowledgeable. During his conversation with Basil, Dorian displays an increase in ignorance caused by his eternal youth through the examples of his ponderings on “serious topics” as well as gossip related to him.
His dismissal of Sibyl proves that he was putting her beauty and his pleasure of her acting before the real purpose of falling in love. To him, it does not matter if it really is love; it is what she portrays and the pleasure she provides for him that matters. Since she does not meet Dorian or society’s ideals of a woman, she is not a prospect for marriage. Dorian’s cruel dismissal of his relationship with Sibyl and her death act as a catalyst in his double
After writing his only novel, whose editors’ views aligned with the homophobic social conventions of the time, Wilde claimed that each of the main characters contained a bit of himself in them, and that “Basil Hallward is what I think I am” (Carroll). Within the novel, Basil is depicted as a character who is consumed by his naive love for Dorian, so much so that he claims that Dorian’s “personality… would absorb [Basil’s] whole nature, [his] whole soul, [his] very art itself,” foreshadowing the fact that his affection for Dorian will bring about his own death (Wilde 21). While Basil’s murder may indicate that his attraction to Dorian is a characteristic flaw, Wilde utilizes it to create a tragic romance comparable to that of Romeo and Juliet; taking into consideration Wilde’s identification with this character, it is clear that Basil’s portrayal in the story is one of an impassioned gay artist, like Wilde, serving as an example of his message that homosexuality does not compromise a work’s potential for
‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ is the title of this book which wrote by a great author named Oscar Wilde. Oscar Wilde had writing many books based on his experiences and most of his genre is quite dark and mysterious, same as this book he wrote which contain gothic genre. I found this story had gothic genre because the storyteller, which is Oscar Wilde illustrating supernatural event in this story such as the Dorian’s wish seem like coming true as the portrait was the one that kept aging instead of Dorian Gray himself. Thus, the portrait has reflected as Dorian Gray’s soul and his personality grew darker and more evil as his life continued. This book that I read has quite artfully as it is like engaging me to keep reading more to know the
Dorian does not take responsibilities for his own actions which then ultimately lead him to his death. Not only is corruption present in the novel, but it is also part of the society in the Victorian era. Although prostitution was a sinful act, it was acceptable behavior in the nineteenth century. Men were known as decision makers while women were their property. Since the day Lord Henry laid eyes on Dorian, Henry was determined to change Dorians life, and change his values immoral.
Dorian is a young man who is not yet fully formed in his thinking and has a very handsome appearance. Basil is instantly taken with him and finds that he wants Dorian all to himself. The way Basil influences Dorian isn 't through words but rather through his actions. He idolizes him.
Dorian Gray is a handsome, narcissistic young man enthralled by Lord Henry 's new enjoyment. He satisfies in every pleasure of moral and immoral life ultimately heads to death. Henry tells
As soon as Dorian enters in Chapter 2 of The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wildes’ one and only novel, its is evident that there will be a battle between who will have the most influence on his pure, untouched soul. Basil Hallward, a painter and worshipper of art is an optimist and sees only the good in even the wickedest of people, such as Lord Henry. Lord Henry is a charming, self-indulgent aristocrat that shapes and molds Dorian to lead a life devoted to pleasure. Both Basil and Lord Henry represent two important opposing forces in the novel, good and evil. The greatest struggle in The Picture of Dorian Gray is inside Dorian; he himself embodies both pure good and pure evil.
Lord Henry’s painting showed Dorian the reality of life and all the sins he had committed. With the picture, Dorian destroyed it plus his own life because he could not bear the fact that his beauty was going to fade. In addition, Henry influences Dorian by manipulating him because; he carries on with his idea of remaining youthful. This is evident when he says, "To get back to my youth, I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early, or be respectable" (Liebman 300). Lord Henry had everything to do with Dorian’s obsession of wanting to remain young especially with the picture and his philosophy.
From the beginning of the novel we get to see a model of poor and unconventional morality, Lord Henry Wotton, a man who is moved by an ethic current called “New Hedonism” which taking into account society’s ethics (specially the ones from the Victorian Era) is quite immoral. The New Hedonism basically consists in looking for the individual’s best comfort, pleasure and happiness (based on beauty), leaving aside the other’s comfort and what should be morally done. This character with poor morality is who guides the book’s main character Dorian Gray along his adventure. However, it is vital to take into account the fact that Dorian Gray is never forced to follow New Hedonism and that Wilde never influences or invites the reader to follow New Hedonist
All actions have an inverse action that can be acquired. The novel, The Picture of Dorian Grey, significantly portrays the inverse options in life. Superficial happiness is the leading cause for double standards. The main character preservers through an abundance of difficult situations, while retaining his beauty. This is all due to his double life that he has come accustomed to living.
Wilde writes about it being “perfectly charming”. The chapter then is corrupted by Lord Henry's influence on page 17. This structure of chapter continues through the first 10 chapters and then shifts to fill a more gothic idea. The setting becomes more ominous with the environment having blinding “fog” (Wilde 147) and the “cold rain”(Wilde 184). As corruption is about to take over Dorian's life he becomes blinded by the “lovely night” and environment again.
Basil has come to ask Dorian about all the horrible rumors surrounding him, and hopes they turn out false. Basil also asks about the portrait and why Dorian hides it, so Dorian decides to show him his “to see your soul. But only God can do that—you shall see it yourself to-night!”. Dorian then takes Basil to see his picture, which at first cannot be recognized by Basil, but soon he realizes the true horror of the situation, “an exclamation of horror broke out from the painter’s lips as he saw in the dim light the hideous face on the canvas grinning at him” (Wilde 113). Dorians soul has become rotten to the core with selfishness and pleasure, mainly because of Lord Henry’s poisonous words.
Not one blossom of his loveliness would ever fade. Not one pulse of his life would ever weaken. Like the gods of the Greeks, he would be strong, and fleet, and joyous.” (Wilde 98). Through this scene, Wilde makes it clear to the reader how corrupt Dorian’s world perspective is.
