Picture of Dorian Gray
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 burd
The influences throughout the book whether it be to another character, or a painting, lead to every characters destruction. All she ever did was love him and Dorian who is to in love with himself could never love another therefore hurting anyone he came to be close with. Dorian's regard for her feelings and for anyone else's shows he can only come to love him self. 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. Dorian however was not just a innocent bystander in the corruption through out the book. This is referring to Dorians part in the death of Sybil Vane. As Joyce says " young men handsome as they are, with the power to move others deeply while remaining unmoved themselves, are allegorical figures whose fates are meant to symbolize the sterility of an advanced civilization". Oates describes in her criticism how Lord Henry in many ways corrupts Dorian and robs him of much of his youth. These portrays lead to Basil and Dorian influencing eachother and causing them to grow apart and eventually leading to the despise of one another causing Dorian to kill Basil. The Picture of Dorian Gray, proves the ripple effect and how one person can change the lives of many others. Both characters are in love with images, Dorian being in love with his own and Basil in love with the image of Dorian. As Basil says in the book," Dorian don't pay much attention to what Lord Henry says, he has a very bad influence over all his friends with the exception of myself. Each character influenced another and through trials and tribulations they were all set up for a downfall. You are nothing to me now", speaking to Sybil. Right there Basil puts so much of his happiness in the hands of Dorian and sets himself up for destruction.
Common topics in this essay:
Lord Henry,
Dorian Gray,
Basil Dorian,
Sybil Dorian's,
Carol Oates,
,
Oscar Wilde,
Henry Dorian,
lord henry,
Sybil Vane,
Henry Basil's,
dorian gray,
basil dorian,
picture dorian,
throughout book,
influences throughout,
influences throughout book,
picture dorian gray,
oates describes,
throughout book character,
characters destruction,
lead characters,
painting lead,
book character painting,
meeting lord henry,
|
Acceptance Essays
