Picture of Dorian Gray
"The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its ownshame." (p. 224) This quotation by Oscar Wilde truly defines the essence of his novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. Written in 1891, this novel created much controversy due to its implicithomosexual content and its open criticism of the Victorian society. Since Wilde was a passionate aesthetic supporter, he argued that art does not serve a purpose other than appealing to the senses and being beautiful. In contrast with that belief, Victorian morals suggest that art should be used as a tool for moral and social education. As a result of this difference in ideologies, Wilde was forced to endure the disgrace that Victorian England had attached to his name. Despite this, he decided to proceed with writing his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. Dorian Gray, a central character, becomes consumed with the idea that he will one day lose his beauty and youth and as a result, he commits suicide. Lord Henry Wotton, a high-class aristocrat, is the man responsible for leading Dorian down a path of disgrace and shame. Through the character development of Dorian Gray, Wilde demonstrates that vanity, Lord
143) Through the obtainment of material possessions, Dorian experiences a sense of contentment which, in turn, helps him to rationalize his disregard for morals and humanity. Lord Henry does this by declaring, "The moment I met you, I saw that you were quite unconscious of what you really are, or what you really might be. In addition to Dorian's vain character, Lord Henry Wotton's corrupting influence over the boy is also an essential factor that leads to Dorian's degeneration. wonderfully handsome, with finely curved scarlet lips, frank blue eyes and crisp gold hair. Dorian is extremely vulnerable to the corrupting influence of Henry and as a result, he decides to drown his soul in sin and eventually, to commit suicide. were to be to him means of forgetfulness, modes by which he could escape. Once again, Lord Henry is a representative of this society's views: ". As a result, people cannot believe that he is capable of doing evil. 4As Dorian continues to see Lord Henry, he assimilates Henry's ideologies regarding pleasure and applies them to his own life; in a way they become a guideline for how Dorian would live his life. 210) Unfortunately, it is too late for Dorian to abandon Henry's philosophies and start a new life because, in a way, they have become a part of him.
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