Who are we really? The influences that shape us.
             In the dictionary influence is described as, a power affecting a person, thing, or course of events, especially one that operates without any direct or apparent effort. This definition can directly relate to the Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde. However, in the end influence proves to be so much more than a definition it proves to have dictated peoples lives and changed them forever. The influences throughout the book, whether it be to another character, or a painting lead to every characters destruction.
             Joyce Carol Oates portrays in her criticism the type of person she see's Wilde as well as the characters he has created. Dorian was corrupted at a young age and never was the same afterwards. The impact and impression that was left on him from Lord Henry stayed with Dorian throughout his life. As Joyce says in her criticism "Before meeting Lord Henry, and his own likeness Dorian is indeed a brainless and beautiful creature. He is somewhat spoiled, but spoiled in a childlike way; he is good-natured ,spontaneous, and generous, an absolute innocent."(10) Joyce as does Wilde describe that before meeting Lord Henry Dorian was a untouched naive young boy who had not been burden by the dangers of the outside world. Lord Henry exposed Dorian at such a young age that even if he wanted to Dorian could never remain the carefree youth he once was.
             The influence is also prevalent in Dorian's troublesome relationship with Basil Hallward. Basil's obsession with Dorian and Dorian's obsession with the portrait that Basil did of Dorian proved to be to much for their relationship. As Oates states " Basil Hallward is not in love with Dorian Gray but with his own image of Dorian, which is to say his own "motive" in art". Both characters are in love with images, Dorian being in love with his own and Basil in love with the image of Dorian. These portrays lead to Basil and Dorian influencing eac...