Dorian Gray Marxism

Furthermore, Faustus and Gray are driven to pursue their desires and use their ‘powers’ without having any consequences. As the fiction The Picture of Dorian Gray progresses, this is represented through association with vulnerable characters. Firstly, he catapults spiteful words towards Sibyl, leaving the once blooming lover that "lay there like a trampled flower". In this simile, it is evident that Gray used his patriarchal power to stamp over the female's career and love to the point of no return. The verb "trampled" means to crush or treat with contempt. The flower is a metaphor for women and has positive connotations of innocence as well as a sexual nature; this would have been typical of the Victorian era as women were viewed as sexual

A Marxist audience would see that Gray is of a higher class because he inherited money and his appearance hence he is the most elite, whereas Sibyl is a lower class female, therefore she is inferior. The Marxist view alters one’s interpretation of Gray’s behaviour. Gray deserved to behave that way because he was rich and that was the stereotypical behavior of the wealthy. Unfortunately, for Sibyl her performing continues off stage and out of the spotlight; she "mimics a passion". She still had to perform a role to please Gray; she has to abide by his rules as he is the patriarch of society. Despite what he says about her acting on stage, her true talent excelled when she was in the presence of Gray and consequently, he has terminated her purpose as a female character. By acting this way, Sibyl is fueling Gray’s poor reaction. Due to society indulging Gray, rather than reprimand him, this gives him an excuse for his response. As humans, one responds to those around and adjusts their behaviour accordingly; therefore he is only behaving as society dictates he