DorianGrayMeaning
JesusGonzalez
ArtAppreciation103
12/11/2016
ResearchWritingAssignment
IvanAlbright
PictureofDorianGray
1943/44
Oiloncanvas2159x1067cm(85x42in)
Thepaintingisaself–portraitofthefictionalcharacterDoriangray.Thepaintingwasusedinthe filmwherethecharacterhadaskedaportraitofhimasahandsomeman.Doriangraytradesinhis soulforhimtoremainforeveryoungandhandsome.Graylivesalifewherehedoesthingsthatare morallycorrupt.Graycontinuesnottoagebutthepaintingstartstochangeshowinggraysmoral corruptionInthecenterofthepieceyouaredrawntothefigureofDoriangrayThefigureshows agingandmarksofdamageinhisface.Themainfigureiswearingawardrobethatshowshisclass andwealth.Theclotheshoweveralsohavetearandfadingcolorsthatshowagingeffectincontrast toGray.Inthebackgroundamixtureoffadingcolorsisseen.Theredrugatthebottomisshown ruffledandnotperfectlysetintheground.Atthebottomofthepaintingandbelowtherugthereisa handthatisshownreachingoutThehandisplacedtosaythattherearebodiessweptundertherug thatshowhiscorruptionandsins.Oneofthemostinterestingbackgroundpiecesisthestatueofthe cat.DuringtheRenaissancedogswereusedtomeanloyalty.Thecatinthebackgroundisusedto meantheoppositeofthatandspeakofgraysvaluesAnothercontrastcomparedtotheRenaissance isthatthecatisastatueandnota
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Howshouldindividualssatisfytheirambitions?InTheGreatGatsby,writtenbyF.ScottFitzgerald, andThePictureofDorianGray,writtenbyOscarWilde,thethemeofdesiresisaddressed.The GreatGatsbyisanovelaboutJayGatsby,amanwhowantstoreunionwithhispastlover,Daisy ThenovelisnarratedbyNickCarraway,Gatsby'sneighbourandfriendwhowitnessesGatsby's romanticdesires.Similarly,ThePictureofDorianGrayisanovelaboutthedevelopmentofDorian, frominitialinnocencetoultimatebrutality,afterheacquirestheabilitytostayeternallyyoungwhile lettinghisportraitsuffertheconsequencesofhissins.Overall,thetwobooksaresimilarinnaturein termsofthethemespresented.Initially,thetwo...showmorecontent...
WhenNickisdescribingGatsby'selaborateparties,hesays,"Peoplewerenotinvited–theywent there...OncetheretheywereintroducedbysomebodywhoknewGatsby"(Fitzgerald41).Gatsby doesnotcarewhoattendshisparties,ratherhissolepurposeistoattractpeopleandtomakehimself knowninthecommunity.Incontrast,whenDorianhostsdinners,hecarefullyselectspeopleto attendandhandpicksthedecorations.Throughattending,peoplefeelthatDorianhas"allthegrace anddistinctionandperfectmannerofacitizenoftheworld"(Wilde130)Dorian'shostsdinnersnot togainpopularity,buttostrengthentheadmirationthatpeoplehaveforhim.Ingeneral,Gatsbyand DoriandifferintheiraspirationsforpersonalmotivesandimagesinsocietyHowever,despitethe differencesinambition,bothcharactersactsinfully.Tobeginwith,bothcharactersactheartlessly. AfterDaisyhitsMyrtleWilsonwhendrivingGatsbyhome,sheescapesfromthescene.Later,when GatsbyhearsaboutMyrtle'stragicdeath,hesays,"Ithoughtso;ItoldDaisyIthoughtsoIt'sbetter thattheshockshouldallcomeatonce.Shestooditprettywell"(Fitzgerald143).Gatsbyis completelyunconcernedaboutthetragedythathasoccurredtoMyrtle,allhecaresaboutisDaisy's wellbeing.Also,afterDorianshowsBasiltheportraitthatreflectsallhissins,he"rushedat[Basil], anddugtheknifeintothegreatveinthatisbehindtheear,
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SocialMasksin1984andThePictureofDorianGray
Manypeopleintheworlddesiretopossesscharacteristicsaboutthemselvesthattheydonotown. Socialmasksallowpeopletochangethewaypeopleviewthem.Peopleattempttoputonsocial masksbylying.Thenovels1984andThePictureofDorianGraybyGeorgeOrwellandOscar Wildecreateconnectionsbetweenthecharactersthroughtheuseofsocialmaskstoprotect themselvesfromthedangersoftheirsocietiesandtheirownself.WinstonSmiththinksagainstthe Partythroughoutthenovel.Thepenaltyforhisthoughtsconsistofdeathortorture.Toprotect himselffromtheseinhumaneconsequences,hemustusesocialmasksPuttingonasocialmask meanslyinginhiscase.OneofWinston'sobligationsconsistsofeditingandrewritinghistoryinthe formofvariousmediatoaccommodatetheParty'sversionofthepastandpresent.GeorgeOrwell writeshow,"ItwasthereforenecessarytorewriteaparagraphofBigBrother'sspeech,insucha wayastomakehimpredictthethingthathadactuallyhappened"(Orwell38–39).Smithgoes againstwhathebelievestosatisfythePartyWhatWinstonactuallybelieveswhileherewritesthis wouldresultinhimtorturedordeath.HeliesandtellsthePartywhattheywanttoheartoprotect himself.OscarWilde'snovelpaintsapicturesimilartothesituationthatWinstongoesthrough. DorianGrayputssocialmaskstoprotecthimselffromhimself.Wildequestions,"Cultureand corruption...Ihaveknownsomethingofboth.Itseemsterribletomenowthattheyshouldeverbe foundtogetherForIhaveanewideal,HarryIamgoingtoalterIthinkIhavealtered"(Wilde259) Possessingbothcultureandcorruptionexemplifiestheuseofsocialmasksinthebook.Flipping backbetweeneachone,heprotectshimselfdependingonthesituation.Ifasituationpopsupwhere hemustretaincorruptqualitiestosurvive,thenhemustputonthatparticularsocialmaskThis couldleadtoconfusionknowingthecharacteristicsofoneself.Graygivesexamplesofthismany times.AsDorianputsonsocialmasksthroughoutthebook,heincreasinglystartstoknowlessabout himself.Changingthewayheactstoprotecthimself
1984AndThePictureOfDorianGrayAnalysis
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Theactionsofindividualsofteninfluencewhathappensandexistsintheworld;someinfluencesare direct,andsomeareindirect.InThePictureofDorianGraybyOscarWilde,influentialfactorsplay animportantroleThemaincharacter,DorianGray,isinfluencedbymanyforces,oneofthe strongestbeinghismentor,LordHenry;butwhileconstantinfluenceslikehisfriend'sareobvious, thereisasubtle,morediscreetinfluenceinhislife:Dorian'sfirstlove,SibylVane.Despitehershort appearance,itisherpresencethatallowsthefundamentalchangeinDorianGray'scharacter,and drivestheplot.Sherevealsallthepossibilitieshislifecanhave,aidsinthedevelopmentofhis corruptnature,anddetermineshisfate.From...showmorecontent...
TheirrelationshipcreatespatternsinDorian'slifethateventuallydeterminehisfate.Anexampleof thisisDorian'sinnerdiscordbetweendoingwhatisrightandordoingwhatiswrong.Thisexample isseenintheiraffairsoonafterDoriancruellydropsSibylFollowinghisimmoralactions,Dorian hasaninternalconflictbetweentakingresponsibilityforhisactionsandignoringthesituation.His thoughtschangebetween"Hadhebeencruel?Itwasthegirl'sfault,nothis"(88)and"afeelingof infiniteregretcameoverhim"(88)QuestioningthishappenstoDorianmultipletimesthroughout theyearsofhisdebauchedlife.Theexistenceofthispatternestablishesthatthislifestylewillnot lastThestruggle,firstseentheirrelationship,betweengoodandevildoesprevail,andeventually theconflictrisestoapointwhereDoriandecidestodrophisself–indulgentbehaviour. Unfortunately,thesimpledecisiontodrophiscorruptwaysisnotenoughtocompensateforallhis wrong–doingsWhatDorianneeds,issinceregoodnessThesecondinstanceofsituationsechoing aspectsoftheirrelationship,isDorian'smoralitytriumphingdespitehiscorruption.Althoughhe ruthlesslybreaksSibyl'sheart,helaterdoesdecidetodowhatisright:returntoher,apologize,and marryherlikehepromised.Thisdecisionmaynothavelasted,butitexistednevertheless.The
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Insipid,gray,andrestrained–thesearethewordsthatcometothemindsofmostwhentheythinkof theVictorianera.Strictsocialcodesofrefinedsensibilitiesandausteritydictatedthetime,andtoact unseemlyoroutoflinewassynonymouswithcommittingsocialsuicideYet,theVictorianerawas alsoatimerunrampantwithsensationalism,druguse,andpromiscuity.Thejuxtapositionofthese conflictingmoralslendstoaperiodrifewithhypocrisy,asreflectedinOscarWilde'sThePictureof DorianGray
TheVictorianerahadaloveaffairwithsurfaces.Upholdingapristinereputationandesteemamong peerswasoftheutmostconcern,andasBasilsays,"everygentlemanisinterestedinhisgoodname" ().ThesereputationswereusedasmaskstoconcealtheunpalatableactionsVictoriangentlemen committedbehindcloseddoorsDrugsinparticularwereafavouredviceamongVictorians,and opiumwasaspopularasalcohol.Laudanum,amixtureofherbs,wine,and10%opium,wassold freelybychemistsandusedintreatmentofheadaches,asthma,menstrualcramps,andevenasa soporifictoquietcryingchildrenButforthosewhohadastrongertasteforthedrug,opiumdens alongLondon'sseaportsofferedadiscreethavenforaristocraticaddictswhodidnotwanttobe seenbuyingopiumintownDorianGrayhimselfhasanafflictionforopium,andseekscomfortin anopiumdenaftermurderingBasil,sothat"thememoryofoldsinscouldbedestroyedbythe
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Manypeopleinfluenceourlives,shapingthewayweact,talk,andeventhink.Peoplecanaffect othersinmanypositiveways;however,theycanalsocorruptthepeoplearoundthem.InOscar Wilde'sThePictureofDorianGray,LordHenryinfluencesDorianGraytothepointwhereDorian losesallrespect,dignity,andintegritythathehadandeventuallyleadshimtoexperiencehis downfallInWilliamShakespeare'sOthello,Iagoclearlyfeelsnoallegiancetoevenoneother characterintheplayyethemakeseachfeelasifheishisorherpersonalconfidantandmost trustworthyfriendandadvisor.DorianGrayinfluencesoverunfortunateyouthsandleadsthemto theirdestructionFinally,thesocietyhasaprofoundinfluenceoverAlanshowmorecontent Throughthis,WildeshowsthedangerscausedbyLordHenry'sinfluence.Italsoshowsthatthe DorianGray'sindividualismislostbecausehehasnofeelingsofguiltasaresultofhavingno consequencesforhisactions.LordHenrycontinuouslyfillDorian'smindwithimmoralideas.After SybilVane'sdeath,LordHenryassuresDorianthatSybil'sdeathwasbeautifulbecause"notoneof thewomenIhaveknownwouldhavedoneformewhatSibylVanedidforyou"(p99)Dorian choosesnottobeaffectedemotionallybyherpassing.FromthisinstanceofinfluencethatHenry exercisesoverDorianonecanseethatinfluencedoesnotallowapersontoactorthinkas themselves,butrathertheyactandthinkbasedonthewordsofothers.OnedayLordHenrygives Dorianacopyoftheyellowbookasagift.Dorianbaseshislifeandactionsonguidelines establishedbyLordHenryandtheyellowbook"Foryears,DorianGraycouldnotfreehimself fromtheinfluenceofthisbook"(p.123).Thebookrepresentstheprofoundanddamaginginfluence LordHenryhasoverDorianandservesasawarningtothosewhowouldsurrenderthemselvesso completelytosuchaninfluenceSimilarly,IagomanipulatesCassioDespitesuchwrongsthatIago has,inreality,committedagainstCassio,hisapparentsincerityandfriendlinessblindsCassiotohis truenature.Forinstance,itisIago'scalculated
ThePictureofDorianGrayEssays
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Influence,CorruptionandConscienceinThePictureofDorianGray
OscarWilde'snovel,ThePictureofDorianGray,exploresthethemesofinfluence,corruptionand conscience."TheobviousinfluenceofLordHenryuponDorianshowshowonemaycorruptanother tosuchanextentthatone'sownconsciencewithersanddies"(Weintraub116).
BasilHallward,apainter,knowsthecorruptiveinfluencethatLordHenrycanimposeuponhis model,DorianGray.BasildoesnotwantLordHenrytoevenmeetDorianbecauseheisafraidthat Dorianwillbeinfluencedandruined.BasilbegsHenrybysaying,"Don'tspoilhim.Don'ttryto influencehim.Yourinfluencewouldbebad.Theworldiswide,andhasmanymarvelouspeoplein itshowmorecontent
LordHenrybelievesthat,"Conscienceandcowardicearereallythesamethings.Conscienceisthe trade–nameofthefirm"(Wilde5).Inessence,LordHenryfeelsthatlisteningtoone'sconscience anddoingtherightthingshowsweaknessandcowardiceinaperson'scharacterSinceWildecreates anevilcharacterwhoholdsthesebeliefs,onecanimplythatWildefeelsquitetheopposite.Wilde mustfeelthathavingaconscienceandlisteningtoitshowsstrengthinaperson'scharacter Nevertheless,LordHenrypersistsincorruptingDorian.
LordHenryfeelsthat,"TheonlywaytogetridofatemptationistoyieldtoitResistit,andyour soulgrowssickwithlongingforthethingsithasforbiddentoitself..."(Wilde13).LordHenrytries topersuadeDoriantobelievethatlisteningtohisconsciencewillonlybringhimpain.Dorianmust giveintotemptationifhewantstobehappy.DorianlistensacutelytoHenry'swords.Doriannow hasajustificationforignoringhisconscienceandactingsinfully.SlowlyHenry'sinfluencetakes overDorian'sconscience
BasilbeginstonoticethiscorruptioninDorian'sfacerightafterDorianmeetsHenry.WhenBasilis paintingDorian,henoticesachangeBasil"deepinhiswork,andconsciousonlythatalookhad comeintothelad'sfacethathehadneverseentherebefore"(Wilde13).Dorianisloosinghis innocenceandpurityduetoHenry'sinfluenceandBasilcandetect
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ThePictureofDorianGray "Thesoulisaterriblereality.Itcanbeboughtandsold.Itcanbepoisonedormadeperfect.There's asoulineachoneofusIknowit"ThisisastatementmadebyDorianGraytohisbestfriend,Lord Henry,afewhoursafterherealizesthathisbehaviorofthelasteighteenyearshasbeenabsolutely terrible.
AfterSybilVane'sdeath,theyoungladwasfirstseizedbyterribleremorse.Afterabandoningherin thetheatrewithmostshowmorecontent
Oneevening,eighteenyearslater,JamesVane,Sybil'sbrother,whohasvowedtotakerevengeon Dorian,finallymanagestodiscoverhimAsDorianseeshim,itisasifheperceivedhisown consciousness,whichhasbeenneglectedforsomanyyears.Itisindeedagreatshocktohim,andhe faints.Afterwards,ashereturnshome,hefirsttriestoreassurehimselfbythinkingthatitwas merelyanillusion,thatheisprotectedbyhisbighouse,hisservantsandhisyoungface Ashekeepsthinkingaboutitthough,hisassurancebeginstoalter:"Andyet,ifithadbeenmerely anillusion,howterribleitwastothinkthatconsciencecouldraisesuchfearfulphantoms,"What sortoflifewouldhisbe,ifdayandnight,shadowsofhiscrimeweretopeerathimfromsilent corners,"Andthen,suddenly,herealisesallhissins:"Asthethoughtcreptthroughhisbrain,he grewpalewithterror,...Oh!Inwhatawildhourofmadnesshehadkilledhisfriend!(...)Hesawitall again.Eachhideousdetailcamebacktohimwithaddedhorror.OutoftheblackcaveofTime, terribleandswathedinscarlet,rosetheimageofhissin"
Soonafterthatrealisation,Doriangoeshunting ...Getmorecontent...
FirstIshallexplainthewayDorianGraylosthisabilitytobegoodandhowhefounditagain eighteenyearslater
Thebookwas,inpart,areflectionofOscar'slife.Filledwithscandal,pain,love,anddespair,it couldbeamirror.WhatWildewrotewasneverjustastory,butinsteadareflectionofhissoul.It reflectswhatyouthinkandfeels,aswasthecasewithDorianGray.Thebookhashadalasting influenceforthisreasonandseveralmore.Thesubtextisoneofthese.EverythingWildeWrotehad anotherstoryinsideofitDorianGraywasnoexception,andthatispartofwhatmakesitso influentialandsoveryfascinating.Itstartswiththetitle.Itwasthefirstclueintothestorybehind thebook.WildeexcelledinGreekandRomanstudies,anditwasnoaccidentthatthemaincharacter wastobenamedDorianTheDorianswereapartoftheGreekpeoplelongshowmorecontent However,inGreekdaysanintimaterelationshipbetweensuchapairingwasnotuncommon.This ideaisfurtheredbythewayBasilspeaks.Onmanyoccasions,hespeakstoDorian.Ononesuch occasion,hesays"Itisquitetrue,Ihaveworshippedyouwithfarmoreromanceoffeelingsthana manshouldevergivetoafriend,somehowIhaveneverlovedawoman...FromthemomentImet you,yourpersonalityhadthemostextraordinaryinfluenceoverme"(Wilde,ThePictureofDorian Gray).ThesubtextinDorianGrayplayedapartinWilde'slastingsignificance.Thestoryisonethat canbereadandrereadamilliontimes.Somepeopleidentifywiththecharacters;othersare fascinatedwiththegrimtransformationthatDorianTakesthroughoutthestory.Nomatterone's initialcauseforreadingthestoryonefactthatisundeniablytrueisThePictureofDorianGrayisa storythatcanbeanalysedinamilliondifferentwaystogetamilliondifferentanswersThisability tobeinterpretedamilliondifferentwaysfromSundayinthebeautifulthingthathelpedWilde createaninfluenceafterhispassingonNovember30,1900.Ithelpedturnhimintothelegendhe
ThePictureOfDorianGrayResearchPaper
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InOscarWilde'sPopularnineteenthcenturynovel,thePictureofDorianGraydemonstratesthe importanceoftheaestheticmovementinVictorianEngland.Thissuggestsyouthandphysical attractivenessisemphasizedandarevaluableadditionstosociety.Therefore,whatmattersto Dorian,isnottheinternalgoodnessanindividualpossessesbuttheappearancetheypresent. Consequently,Dorianisabletoforgettheviolentactshecommitsaslongasheappearsbeautifulon theoutside.Sinceexternalbeautyisvalued,Wildearguesthatpeopletendtolosetheir individualismandconformtosociety'sexpectations.Withthisinmind,Doriangraygrowsmore corrupt,self–centeredashefocusesmoreonthepleasureforhimselfashebecomesmorevulnerable tohisownmisgivings.Heloseshisindividualism,becauseheisconformingtosociety'sformof asethics.IagreewithWilde'sarguementaboutDorianGray,thatindividualslosetheirsenseof idenitywhenconformingtosociety'sinfluence,suchasintoday'sbeautystandardsportrayedon socialmedia,racismdescribedthroughfacism,andLGBTQrightsviolatedbyintolerantindividuals. (toowordy)Mediademonstratescertainbeautystandardsthatwomenareexpectedtomeet,similar toDorianGray'sobsessionwithyouthandbeautytoconformtosociety'sideals.DorianGray idealizesLordHenry,thereforeheisinfluencedbyLordHenry'sviewonhispassionforyouth. Henryexemplifiesthat,"foryouth[he]woulddoanything
ThePictureOfDorianGray
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Modernism,anunstableandconstantlydebatedterm,isaphilosophicalmovementthatarosefrom thelate19thandearly20thcenturies.OscarWilde'snovel,ThePictureofDorianGrayisa prominentexampleofhowaestheticismwasusedduringthe19thcenturyVictorianEraWildewas abletodevelopaplotthatrevolvesaroundtheideaofbeautyandaestheticsduringatimethatthese issueswereconsideredtaboo.Wilde'smaincharacterseachusebeautyasameansoftranscendence, eitherasawaytoglimpsethemetaphysicalworldorasarelieffromthepaintheyfindinherentin humanexistence,thusdemonstratingthatwhileaestheticobsessioncanbedestructive,beautyitself remainsapowerfulandtransformativeforce(McLeod2–3).Throughtheuseofornamentalobjects, spectatorcharacters,andadeceivableprotagonist,Wildewasabletodemonstratemodernismasan aestheticmovement.
Theperpetualuseofornamentalstylethroughoutthenovelallowsthereadertodetecthow modernismcanbeseenasanaestheticmovement.ThenovelbeginsinaLondonstudiowherethe readerisintroducedtoahumbleartistbythenameofBasilHallward.Basil,whoatthetimewas paintingaportraitofhisthenbestfriendDorian,tellsthereaderwhyheisnotwillingtoexhibit Dorian'spicturetothepublic.Hearguesthat,"everyportraitthatispaintedwithfeelingisaportrait oftheartist,notofthesitterThereasonIwillnotexhibitthispictureisthatIamafraidthatI ...Getmorecontent...
TheVictorianSocietyinThePictureOfDorianGray WorksCitedMissingTheVictorianagewasthetimewhentheBritishEmpirewasatitsstrongest andgreatestPeopleofBritainfeltbetterandmorespecialthenotherpeoplefromdifferent countries.ThenatureofEnglandhadbeguntochange,thefarmingindustrybegantodeteriorateand Englandstartedtobecomeamanufacturingindustry.Itwasthetimeofcontrastespeciallywherethe richwereextremelyrichandthepoorwereextremelypoorAristocracywaseverythinganditwas whateveryonewantedtobeeventhoughthe...showmorecontent...
IntheupperclassworldtheweatherisalwayspleasantbutwhenWildeisdescribingthelifeinthe lowerclassitisalwaysdarkandcoldandfoggy.
"Theslimypavementlookedlikeawetmackintosh"
Theopiumdenisdescribedwithunpleasantseedyadjectivesanditmakesyoufeellikeitisa horribleplacetolive
"Greasyreflectors""…stainedwithdarkringsofspiltliquor"Thismakesyoufeellikeitisa ghastlyplacetoliveinbutisthesqualorthatthemajorityofEnglandlivedin.
IncontrasttothishorribleandhideousmagethatWildeportraystousaboutthelowerclassesof Victoriansociety,wealsoseewhatitislikeintheupperclasswhereDorianGraylives.
ThearistocratsinVictoriansocietyleadveryindolentliveswheretheyfrownuponanymeansof work.Astheythereforespendalotoftimedoingnothing,theyamusethemselveswithscandaland gossipamongsttheirfriendsThisiswhyscandalisveryimportantandnotfrowneduponinthe upperclass,astheylovetoknowanyoneinvolvedincrimeandtheyregarditmainlyas"exciting".
ThearistocratsoftheVictorianagehaveaveryrelaxedandsedentarylifestyleTheydonotdo muchexceptforgoingouttodinnerandsocialising.
"AsIloungedinthePark,orstrolleddownPiccadilly"
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"Ishouldliketoknowsomeonewhohadcommittedarealmurder"(LordHenry)
"Nowomenisagenius,Womenareadecorativesex.Theyneverhaveanythingtosay,buttheysay itcharmingly",spokenbyLordHenry,isjustoneofthemanywaysOscarWildespeaksofwomen asinferiortomeninhisnovelThePictureofDorianGray.InVictorianEngland,awoman'srights, andstandinginsociety,wasbasicallyjusttobethe"angelofthehouse".Theyweretocook,clean, andpleasethemansexually,whiletheguysdoeverythingelse
OscarWildewasborninDublin,Ireland,onOctober16,1854.Hewashomeschooleduntiltheage ofnine,butthenwenttoaneliteprivateschoolinIrelandWhileincollege,Wildewasmarkedthe topstudentinhisdepartment.HeHadalotofsuccesswritingnovelsandevencameto americashowmorecontent
Notlongafter,theyhadtwosons.AroundthesametimeWildewasenjoyingallofhisfameand successfromhisliterarywork,hegotsentencedtotwoyearsinprisonforanaffairwitha manEveryonebelievedittobe"gross",nomanshouldbewithanothermanromanticallyAfter prison,Wildewasbrokeandhadnothingleft.Helivedinfriendsapartmentsanddidn'twrite anythinghislastfewyearsbesidesapoemofwhathistwoyearsinprisonwaslike.
FromthewaythatWildemakesthecharacterstalkaboutfemale's,tothewaytheyact,it'sclearthat womenareconsideredinferiortomeninhisnovelthePictureofDorianGrayWomenhadvery littlesay,theyareconsideredtobe"caged"andthey'rebasicallyjustgoodforsex.Maleshavelittle respectforthefemalesandtheyhavenochoicetodoanythingontheirown.
Furthermore,inhisnovel,Wildereallyhitshomewiththefactthatduringvictorianages,women hadnosaywhatsoever.AnothersayingofLordHenryis"Womenhavenothingtosay,buttheysay itcharmingly".Womenwerealwaysthoughttobelesserthanman.Everyonebelievedthatwhata femalehadtosaywasunimportantandwasn'tworthlisteningto,or
ThePictureOfDorianGrayEssay
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OscarWilde'snovelThePictureofDorianGrayshowsusthetriumphofacorruptinginfluenceover avirtuousone.Inthenovel,LordHenry'sinfluenceoverDorianoverpowersBasil'sandleadsto Dorian'seventualdemise.InanalyzingOscarWilde'sThePictureofDorianGray,thethemeof goodversusevilreflectsoffofLordHenry'sandBasil'sinteractionswithDorianandDorian's internalstruggles,thusexemplifyingthatapersonwithweakvirtueswillfalterinthefaceof hedonistictemptation.
InThePictureofDorianGray,Dorian'sinternalstrugglebetweentemptationandvirtueprovestobe destructivetohischaracter.Inthebeginningofthenovel,BasildisplayshisadorationforDorianas thesubjectforhisart.WhenLordshowmorecontent
Intheassertion,theauthorsstatethat"theportraitultimatelybecomesthematerialtraceofhisinner andouterdegradation".UsingtheportraitasthematerialtraceofDorian'sdegradationwehavea tangiblewayofmeasuringDorian'sfalltohedonismduetohisinternalstrugglebetweengoodand evil.AsDorianwasnotavirtuouspersonbeforeLordHenrybecameinfluentialtohimheisquick tosuccumbtoevil.ThesechangesbecomeevenmoreapparentwhenBasilvisitsDorianand confrontshimabouthisportrait:
DorianGrayturnedslowlyaround,andlookedathimwithtear–dimmedeyes.'Itistoolate,Basil,' hemurmured
'Itisnevertoolate,Dorian.Letuskneeldownandtryifwecanrememberaprayer.Isn'ttherea versesomewhere,'Thoughyoursinsbeasscarlet,yetIwillmakethemaswhiteassnow'?'[Basil replied]
'Thosewordsmeannothingtomenow.'
'Hush!don'tsaythat.Youhavedoneenoughevilinyourlife.MyGod!don'tyouseethataccursed thingleeringatus?'(Wilde206).
WhileitistruethatDorianwasneveratrulyvirtuouspersonwecanseeglimpsesofhisregret.
Dorian'seyesare"tear–dimmed"meaningthathemustholdregretoverofhischoiceswhile acceptingthatitistoolateforhimtorepentlikeBasildesires.Dorian'sinternalstruggleilluminates mostclearlyinthisconversationwhenitistoolateandevilwon.Hisdefeatedand
ThePictureOfDorianGrayAnalysis
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"Iwasn'tlikethisbeforeImetyou.''Likewhat?''Ididn'tfeellikethis.Ididn'tthinklikethis.You–youdidthistome...("Fallenoracle")."ThisquotefromthetelevisionseriesQuanticodoesan effectivejobofexpressingwhatLordHenry'sinfluencedoestoDorianGraythroughoutthe philosophicalnovel,ThePictureofDorianGraybyOscarWilde.Whilesomemightarguethat Dorian'sactualnaturedoesnotchangesignificantly,anadditionalperspectiveisthatDorianGrayis adynamiccharacterwhogainsnegativecharactertraitsbybecomingvainofhisyouth,increasingly paranoidofsomeonelearningofhisportraitaswellasthecrimeshehascommitted,andattempting togainpleasurefromanumberofdepravedacts.
TheoccurrenceofvainnessinDorianbyLordHenrydirectshimtodevelopanumberofother negativecharacteristics.AsDorianrealizeshowbeautifulheis,hebeginstoformattachmentsto otherwinsomethings,suchasSibylVaneThisfauxloveawakenshimtotheexcessiveamountof influencehehasoverpeople.WhenSibylVaneactshorriblyonpurposeonstageDorianresponds with,"Ilovedyoubecauseyouhadgeniusandintellect,becauseyourealizedthedreamsofgreat poetsandgaveshapeandsubstancetotheshadowsofartYouhavethrownitallawayYouare shallowandstupid"(Wilde,84).DoriansuccessfullyconveysthathelovedSibylbecauseofher theatrics,andwhenshefailsatwhathefindscaptivatingaboutherheretaliates
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ThePictureofDorianGreyasanovelintheVictorianErawasshockingtoreadersofthetimedue totheopennatureoftopicslike:sexuality,greedandcorruption.AFreudianperspectiveofthe characters:Basil,LordHenryandDoriancanbeseenastheId,EgoandSuperEgoBasilisthe SuperEgo,heconformstoacertainextentandtriestomakeDorianleadamorallifewhenitcomes todesperatetimesofthelossofthe'realDorian';LordHenrycanbeseenastheId,theimmoral characterwhotriestoconvinceDoriantosubmittohisnaturalurgesandpassions;Dorianisthe Ego,onewhointhebeginningisinbetweenthetwoandhasapowerstrugglewithinastohowhe shouldactasacharacterinthenovel.Inansweringthisquestionandexploringtheconflictsshown inthenovelonemustlookatthegender,identityandsexuality.
OneconflictshowninDorianGreyistheconflictofidentityportrayedinthenovelbyOscarWilde. ThecharacterBasildescribesLordHenrytobeaveryinfluentialcharactertoanother'sidentity,for example,'Don'tspoilhim.Don'ttryinfluencehim.Yourinfluencewouldbebad.'SpoilingDorian showsthatheispure,andshouldnotbetaintedbyLordHenry'scharacter;thisshowsthatLord HenryisimpureinthoughtandinhisactionsandthisimpactshisapproachtowardsothersAsBasil saysthis,itshowsthatheunderstandstheflawsinLordHenry'scharacter,butalsohispowerin manipulation,especiallytowardssomeonelike ...Getmorecontent...
OscarWilde'sonlynovel,ThePictureofDorianGray,revolvesaroundayoungmanwhohashis wishofeternalyouthgranted.Hisageandsinsareabsorbedbyhisportrait,whileheremains youthfulandphysicallyuntouched.Ultimatelythrowingimmortalityawaybynotlivingasaproper humanwithmorals,butbysullyinghissoul,demonstratedbythegrowinghideousnessofhis portraitthroughouthishislifeWildebyusingfoilcharacters,choiceofdictiontoemployemotional response,andanallegorywithinhisnovel,showcaseshumannature'ssusceptibilitytocorruption. Surroundingtheprotagonist,DorianGray,aretwojuxtaposingcharacters:BasilHallwardand HenryWottonThesetwomenrepresenthumanformstoSigmundFreud'sshowmorecontent Specificallyreferringtothe"lapsesofinterestinthenovelreflect[ing]lapsesofinterest[with]inthe novel:theennuiitinducesmirror[ing]theennuiitdescribes"(Nunokawa).Inotherwords,thebook itselfhasuninterestingsegmentsastomakethedesireforascandalofsomesorttoappear, demonstratingthathumansalsofindcorruptionquiteentertaining.DorianGraybecomeseasily boredinhisdailyroutine,asdomostpeople,which,iswhyhechoosestoattainasortofadrenaline orpleasurebygoingtoopiumdensandsleepingwithcountlesswomen.Theaudiencemustalso endurethisboredomuntiltheprotagonistdecidestodosomethingworthhisfancyandscandalousto arousesomeexcitementfromthereaderaswell.Inthenovel,Wildededicateschaptereleventothis point,wherehedescribesinfartoomuchdetail,toelongatetheprocessofgettingtotheendresults, allofthenewlyfoundinterestsDorianwouldundertakeandquicklyloseinterestinInthesenew interestshewouldchooseto"abandonhimselftotheirsubtleinfluences,andthen,having,asit were,caughttheircolourandsatisfiedhisintellectualcuriosity,leavethemwiththatcurious indifference,"(137)Meaning,theywerejusttopassthetime,whileattemptingtodiscover somethingthatwouldthrillhimstohisverycore.Also,allowingforthedescriptivedictiontosettle intothereaders'headsthattheyalsowishforDorianGraytofeelthatthrillsotheymayalsofeel that
DorianGrayAllegory
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Whatgooddoesitdoamantogainthewholeworldyetforfiethissoul?None,perfection,thegoal weallreachfor,yetisitreallyattainabletobecomeperfectwithoutgivingsomethinginreturn, possiblyyoursoulThisisathemechallengedinthenovelThePictureofDorianGraybyOscar Wilde.WeseethetragedyofayoungbeautifulEnglishman,DorianGray,whobecomesavain sinnerdedicatedtopleasure.Dorian'sinnersecretsandweaknessofmindbecomeshisdownfall.In thisnovelDorianGray'sapparentperfectionisdestroyedbyhisweaknessofmindandnaiiveness, whichbecomesthedownfallofhissoulashismindisopenedtosinandHedonismbyLordHenry Wotton.Dorian'sapparentperfectionisexpressedtous...showmorecontent...
HeiseventoldbyLordHenryheisfartoocharmingtogointophilantropy.Thisremarkmaybethe beginningoftheflatterythatopenedDorian'sminduptohiscorruption.Dorianisbeingmovedby Harry'sspeechaboutcherishingyouthandenjoyingitHismindwasbeingchallengedbythe thoughtofhisownpassionsuntilthepointwhenheproclaimed"stop!Youbewilderme.Idonot knowwhattosay.Thereissomeanswertoyou,butIcannotfindit.Donotspeak.Letmethink.Or ratherletmetrynottothink"DorianallowshimselftobecorruptedHebeginstofearagingand beginstothinkthateverythingwillbelosswiththelossofhisyouthandbeauty.Doriangoesfrom noworriestothisthoughtasHarryspeaksHewasconvincedthatthis"newHedonism"wasthe way.Thisshowstheweaknessofhismindinhisyouthitisalsothebegginningofhisfate.Withthis flawofcharacter,Dorianseemedtowritehisfateunknowingly.WhenBasilHallward,thepainter, rewardedDorianwiththeportraithereplied"IfIweretobetheonealwaysyoung,andthepicture growold!Forthat–forthat–Iwouldgiveeverything!...Iwouldgivemysoulforthat!".Thiswasjusta pleaatthedepthofhissorrow,aremarkmadetotallythroughwhim.Asthenovelgoesonsodoes Dorian'slife.HebeginstobeunderthecontrolofLordHenrytosomedegree.Healsobegin'sto spendmoretimewithLordHenry,whois
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