Plot Summary The Picture of Dorian Gray began with Basil Hallward, a painter, and his friend Lord Henry Wotton discussing why Basil would not send the painting of Dorian Gray, the main protagonist, to an exhibit. Dorian then entered Basil’s studio, so he could finish the portrait, and Lord Henry charmed him with his words. Dorian begged for his youth to extend after Lord Henry convinced him beauty mattered more than anything else. Having his wish granted, his youth would persist while the painting aged. He discovered this after he broke the heart of Sibyl Vane, an actress, who acted poorly after falling in love with him. He returned home to see the painting changed from kindness to cruelty. Years passed and Dorian’s youth endured as the painting, …show more content…
After spending time with Lord Henry his motives, once pure and innocent, changed to immoral. Dorian’s picture took on the attributes that should have affected him. He would have a grotesque appearance if not for the portrait. Sordid definitely fits the theme in that aspect. Audacious (adj) - 1. Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks 2. Showing an impudent lack of respect "Oh! she is audacious enough for anything, my dear. And what is Ferrol like? I don't know him." (Page 222-224) Dorian exemplifies the word audacious. He takes bold risks such as lying bold-faced to James outside of the opium den and lacks respect for those around him. He blatantly rejects Sibyl and shows no remorse for breaking her heart. Dorian also takes risks not solely with people, but with his money as well. Overall, Dorian becomes an audacious young man throughout the novel. Idyll (n) - An extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque episode or scene, typically an idealized or unsustainable one "I should think the novelty of the emotion must have given you a thrill of real pleasure, Dorian," interrupted Lord Henry. "But I can finish your idyll for you. You gave her good advice, and broke her heart. That was the beginning of your reformation." (Page …show more content…
Dorian went on a ten-page rant about gemstones, tapestries, and other similar objects he fancied. The highlights in the book revolved around the action, such as when Dorian murdered Basil or ran into James. The characters also pulled the reader into the story with their vivid personalities. I wish other characters had time to develop further, such as the Duchess. Only a handful of times she received mention. The ending of the book possessed a bittersweet and quick conclusion which cheated me out of a slow, elaborate finish. I knew Dorian’s death would happen eventually, but it seemed like a cop-out in the worst way; unintentionally and by his own
In the beginning of the book, Dorian seems to be an innocent, charming, beautiful young man, and even referred to as “a wonderful creation” (ch 2). Dorian is described as this amazing person, with looks comparable to a God, charm that could swoon any woman, and a mesmerizing persona about him with the ability to draw anyone near, yet he seems to be so imperceptive to himself. His attitude of simplicity causes readers to be fond of him, passing their first judgments that he could not possibly be evil. As the story moves along readers see the first inkling that Dorian may not be so perfect. Dorian comments on “how sad it is…[that he] shall grow old, and horrible, and dreadful. But the picture will remain always young” (ch 2). This statement lets readers inside Dorian’s thoughts, showing how shallow and frivolous Dorian views life to be. He places so much value and esteem on looks alone, forgetting that being painted should be an honor, or at the very least...
In conclusion, both novels have the “monster” theme and show us society and its preconceptions and that society judges by appearance. The monster was mild and beautiful inside, but "ugly" and horrible outside and therefore everyone feared him. They never gave him a chance to prove his gentle nature. Dorian was stunning but had an awful inside, yet everyone loved him and spoke well about him. This shows us that anybody could be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. People are more than their appearances; therefore appearance isn’t enough when you’re trying to get to know a person. As Shakespeare said “All that glisters is not gold”.
of this book. Dorian begins by being a very naïve lad. He is very easily
Although Wilde halts short of stating that Basil and Lord Henry have sexual feelings for Dorian , the language he uses to describe their devotion for Dorian is unmistakably the language of deep, romantic intimacy. “Tell me more about Mr. Dorian Gray. How often do you see him?”. “Every day. I couldn’t be happy if I didn’t see him everyday. He is absolutely necessary to me”. This common motif of homoerotic bonds between men plays a large role in structuring the novel. Basils painting is born from his adoration of Dorians beauty , comparatively Lord Henry is overcome with desire to seduce Dorian. This sense of camaraderie between men fits into Wildes aesthetic values, for it returns him to his past where the philosophy of beauty was not only the basis of society but fundamental to culture. As a homosexual living in an intolerant society, Wilde asserted this philosophy in order to justify his own lifestyle.
From the moment that Dorian makes his desperate plea in Basil Hallward’s studio – “If it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! …I would give my soul for that!” – he is a grand Gothic experiment (Wilde 28). Even prior to this, Dorian was a test subject of Lord Henry’s, who wanted to see how many of his own ideas he could inject into the boy. This influence rapidly planted in Dorian the ideas of eternal youth and beauty, and led to the encasement of his soul in Basil’s portrait of him. After the switch, Dorian is still under Lord Henry’s influence, but he is also Oscar Wilde’s subject. In his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde manipulates Dorian, his surroundings, and his circumstances to capture a realistic portrayal of the character’s downfall by depicting the nature of the body, mind, and soul, and the relationship between them.
Wilde, Oscar, and Michael Patrick. Gillespie. The Picture of Dorian Gray: Authoritative Texts, Backgrounds, Reviews and Reactions, Criticism. New York: W. W. Norton &, 2007. Print.
The artist, Basil Hallward, painted a portrait of Dorian and has an affection for Basil and his art work. Basil introduces Dorian to a man named Lord Henry. Lord Henry gives Dorian a long lecture about how Dorian will start to grow old day by day. Dorian is choleric by this idea and he wishes his own soul to remain youthful. He also wished that the portrait of himself starts to age and not himself.
From my point of view, I think that this book is reflect his true heart, Basil Hallward reflect his truly personality, Dorian Gray is the character that Oscar desire to be, and Lord Henry is show his image that look by the society.
Dorian Gray's life is dictated by his physical appeal. His beauty lies within his youth. Dorian's perception of beauty allows him to love. He is convinced that his beauty allows him to accomplish anything he desires regardless of the consequences and still be loved by his friends. He uses his beauty to mitigate his evil actions. Dorian says, “I don't wish to know anything about them. I love scandals about other people, but scandals about myself don't interest me. They have not got the charm of novelty.” Youth and beauty are the most precious things to Dorian. In his life, beauty is of utmost importance. Then he sees the picture of himself, painted by Basil, absorb his sins and this changed his view. “I hope it is not about myself. I am tired of myself tonight. I should like to be somebody else,” Dorian said. He aspired to have had a good life rather than one filled with artificial meaning and beauty. The moral beauty of Doran lies within the portrait of himself. The portrait imitated his life. He finally realized that beauty cannot help him escape his evil actions. He deeply lamemted his wish that the portrait bore the burden of his age an...
Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” introduces the idea that aesthetics – the love and attraction to beauty- can taint the purest soul. The irony that this notion brings forth is evident in Wilde’s story of the young and beautiful Dorian Gray. The protagonist, Dorian Gray, is introduced to a life of luxury, egotistical ideals, and the ultimate appreciation of life and beauty with help from Lord Henry “Harry” Wotton. After witnessing Basil Hallward’s portrait painting of Dorian Gray, Lord Henry had the intense desire to meet the young man. However, due to Lord Henry’s reputation and vile persona, Basil had no interest in introducing his friend Dorian to Lord Henry.
Throughout Oscar Wilde’s novel, The Picture Of Dorian Gray, the idea of negative influence and the long lasting effects it can have on one’s morals is portrayed continuously. As the story develops, Lord Henry’s hedonistic values and ideas influence him to seek pleasure and self benefit in any way he sees possible. This leads him to look for joy through the corruption of pure and innocent souls, in this case, Dorian Gray. Dorian is characterized by his dear friend Basil Hallward, as a young,charming, and uncorrupted boy. Basil realizes Henry’s possible intentions, and pleads with him, “Don’t spoil him.
This is the first step in Dorian becoming a morally ambiguous character. Dorian’s new-found vanity built a foundation for him degradation from a protagonist to an
Along with Dorian’s moral decline, his extreme beauty also served as an influence on people’s judgment and actions, especially on Basil Hallward, a renowned painter. Early in the novel, Basil had the opportunity to paint a portrait of Dorian for which he considers his artistic “masterpiece.” In our society, art generates judgment for those who view it and similarly people are judged too. It is arguable that a person is most likely to give the benefit of the doubt to someone who is neat, clean, charming, and beautiful. The same principles apply to Dorian, which Basil clearly proves when he said; ‘At least, I can't believe them when I see you.
The Picture of Dorian Gray was a remarkably well-written book due to the reaction of its themes by society. In the preface of the novel, Wilde introduces the opinion that "...there is no moral or immoral book. Books are well written or badly written. That is all." Numerous views can be taken upon this fastidious comment. Many would agree that Wilde is justifiably correct because the preface was written with the intention that his readers understand the deeper meaning of the themes than worrying about whether it is considered morally acceptable; or perhaps, the view that it could be considered moral or immoral by the impact it has on the readers' lives. Even though there are several positions held on what The Picture of Dorian Gray's most important meaning is about, the most prominent is the novel as a moral book. Lord Henry Wotton immediately begins to corrupt Dorian's mind after they first meet by forcing his immoral thoughts of "yielding to temptation" which allows Lord Henry to hold his attention. After listening for quite a while to Lord Henry's views, Dorian begins to change his own to match them, and therefore begins to live a life of immorality. The yellow book is a device that Lord Henry uses to further corrupt and drive Dorian deeper into the pits of sin. Through Lord Henry's influence, the changes in Dorian Gray, and the impact of the yellow book, Oscar Wilde efficiently reveals The Picture of Dorian Gray as a moral book.
Careful examination of Dorian’s initial susceptibility to influence, willingness to commit sin, and interactions with other characters prove Lord Henry plays the biggest role in transforming Dorian from pure to vicious. With his cunning theories and brainwashing comments, Dorian cannot muster the strength to resist Lord Henry’s dominating nature, showing there are no limitations in relationships when it comes to influence. The topic of which character primarily influences Dorian to turn to a dishonest lifestyle is undeniably significant in understanding the purpose of the characters as well as the deeper meaning of the text.