The Metamorphosisy's A Picture Of Dorian

shows Basil as a very possessive man. Though he is far more caring, and considerate than Lord Henry, Basil’s intentions and influence to Dorian are just as prominent. Basil is a man of secrets and he wanted Dorian to be one as well. Ironically Basil tried to keep Dorian from Lord Henry but his constant disapproval of him led Dorian to seek more of Lord Henry. Basil’s influence was sometimes beneficial but never turned out they way he or the audience expected. Lord Henry noticed Basil’s “...portrait of [Dorian] has quickened his appreciation of the personal appearance of other people” (Wilde 81), rather than his appreciation for Basil and returning the same feelings Basil has for him. Basil longed for the companionship of Dorian and the more

Basil advice ultimately leads him to his death. Dorian tries to avoid his old friend, as Basil waits for him before he leaves for Paris. Before he leaves Basil wishes to lay his sights upon his portrait of Dorian in hopes that he will have permission to exhibit his work. Dorian shows the portrait and “An exclamation of horror broke from the painter’s lips as he saw in the dim light the hideous face on the canvas grinning at him. There was something in its expression that filled him with disgust and loathing”(Wilde 170). Basil realizes that his over infatuation with Dorian was his own vice as Dorian’s vice was his beauty. Basil tries to persuade Dorian to pray and repent with him but this angers Dorian further. Dorian and Basil’s inability to face all that the portrait comes to represent destroys both Basil and Dorian (Gillespie

Of course you would have treated her kindly. One can always be kind to people about whom one cares nothing.” (Wilde 109.) Lord Henry talks Dorian into believing her death was merely a beautiful ending in a Shakespeare tragedy and she has played her last role. His persuasive nature makes Dorian believe that Sibyl showed the ultimate price of love. Dorian, taking the lead from his mentor, brushes off Sibyl’s death as a minor incident of a commoner simply because once she lost her value to society as an actor she was worthless. Lord Henry’s influence only increases once he sends Dorian a yellow book. Dorian succumbs to the dialect of the novel and buys one in different colors so he can read it based upon his mood. Dorian realizes that he is infatuated with Lord Henry and Lord Henry declares “Yes, Dorian, you will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you have never had the courage to commit”(Wilde 87). Lord Henry sees himself as more than a mentor to Dorian, he sees himself as what Dorian desires to be. The manner of Lord Henry’s presentation further underscores the effectiveness of diverse response (Gillespie 387) Ironically, Lord Henry goes against his own rules he stated in the beginning of novel when speaking to Basil. He encourages Basil not to stray away from his standard in society but develops Dorian to be