Analysis of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray

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Oscar Wilde’s 19th century “The Picture of Dorian Gray” portrays a young, naive man, Dorian Gray, who begins to change because of Lord Henry’s negative influence on him. Wilde first portrays Dorian as a sweet, sensitive man whom everyone admires, he was described as a “wonderful young man”. Dorian was not concerned with money or power, however, once he met Lord Henry Wotton through a mutual friend, Basil Hallward, it was simply the beginning of the end of him, because eventually Lord Henry’s influence pollutes his mind. Lord Henry gives Dorian a book about a man who seeks beauty in evil pleasures, Dorian slowly, but steady becomes his “prey”. This essay will examine the dynamic personality and changes that happen to the character of Dorian Gray as a result of Lord Henry’s impact on him, Dorian’s own attempts of transformation and lastly, his realization of corruption. Although Lord Henry states that, “all influence is immoral”, he nonetheless changes Dorian. Lord Henry, who enjoys manipulating people, spots Dorian’s vulnerability and innocence and immediately goes to work. He soon has planted the seeds of terror in the young man, an unreasonable and immature fear of growing old and losing his youthful beauty. Basil is a good friend of Dorian Gray and he is the one who introduces him to Lord Henry. Basil begs Henry by saying “Don’t spoil him. Don’t try to influence him. Your influence would be bad” (Wilde, 10). Right from the beginning, Wilde begins to portray what type of person Lord Henry is. Lord Henry makes Dorian his new goal to have great influence over, and he sees him as psychological case, as a puppet whom he can easily control. “You are too charming to go in for philanthropy, Mr. Gray- far too charming” Henry tells him... ... middle of paper ... ...ated and influenced by Lord Henry throughout most of his life. When Dorian compares his friendship with Basil with his friendship with Lord Henry, he sees that Basil has never influenced him in a noticeable way, he is the same person with or without Basil's friendship. Lord Henry, on the other hand, has given him new ideas and feelings, he always knew that Lord Henry's influence on him will be profound yet, he still accepted him. He also acknowledged that Lord Henry was merely stirring thoughts that were already somewhere inside of him. Dorian must have already been somewhat corrupted himself, to continue being Lord Henry’s victim seeing that Basil was not at all persuaded by him. Dorian allows Henry to gain such great impact on him, as well as he follows him, and once he recognizes his foul soul, he gives up, and does not for once influence himself for the better.

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