Dorian Gray Filibusterism

874 Words2 Pages

Basil Hallward, the artist who paints the soul of Dorian Gray, can be seen as the book’s only positive character. Basil seems to be too pure for the aesthetic period that surrounds him. When he paints what can clearly be called his masterpiece, Basil offers to give it away instead of showing it off, where it would grant him fame and fortune. He gives the painting to Dorian because his is afraid that he revealed too much about himself on the canvas. Dorian is worried that the viewers will be able to tell of his extraordinary interest, and even his love of the model in the picture. Basil proves many times in his limited appearances that he is a man who is too quick to see the good in people, and slow to give up on those who seem too sinful to …show more content…

Basil has far fewer interactions with Dorian than Henry does, and each one has a different tone. Their first interaction comes before Dorian is corrupted by Henry, and is a model working for Basil. Basil is surprised and upset with Dorian’s attitude, and blames Henry for Dorian’s new attitude. Before Dorian leaves, Basil urges him to cancel his plans with Henry, and instead dine with himself that night. Basil knows that Henry with only continue to fill Dorian’s head with malicious and selfish thoughts. The next time Basil shares dialogue with Dorian is the day after Sybil's death. Basil can see that Henry’s influence on Dorian has continued to change the naive young man that he had one painted. Basil is shocked with the new Dorian, and says “You look exactly the same wonderful boy who, day after day, used to come down to my studio to sit for his picture. But you were simple, natural, and affectionate then… Now I don’t know what has come over you. You talk as if you had no heart… It is all Harry’s influence”(Wilde 105). Basil decides it is time to tell Dorian the truth, in a last-ditch effort to save him from Henry’s influence. Basil admits that his feilings for Dorian are much stronger than friendship, and also much different than love. Basil sees Dorian as a virtuous perfection, too pure for the outside world. Unfortunately Dorian only responds by saying Basil’s confession was disappointing, showing he shares Henry’s love for good drama, and cares nothing about real

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