Ignorance In The Picture Of Dorian Gray Essay

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. During his conversation with Basil, Dorian shows that his eternal youth has led him to be apathetic about topics of importance or seriousness, making him more ignorant. To elaborate, right as Basil walks into Dorian’s house on page 130, Dorian asks Basil to not “talk about anything serious” because “nothing should be [serious]” (Wilde 130). Within this quote, Dorian seems to neither care nor inquire about “serious” topics, demonstrating his increased ignorance. Later in the conversation, after Basil states that he shall be speaking about a relatively serious topic, Dorian exclaims “What is it all about?” while “flinging himself down on the sofa” (Wilde 130). Dorian’s

When Basil brings up the topic of rumors surrounding Dorian, Dorian calmly replies that “scandals about myself don’t interest me” and they do not have the “charm of novelty” (Wilde 130). Dorian seems to have lost interest in yet another issue, in this case his public appearance. Additionally, Dorian himself even states that he “[doesn’t] want to know anything about [the rumors]” (Wilde 131). Not only has Dorian shown lack of interest in the topic, but he is also intentionally trying to avoid rumors surrounding himself, resulting in increased