In the books The Picture of Dorian Gray and Dr. Faustus, both protagonists are lured into the world of evil, but by different forces. Dorian Gray and Dr. Faustus both sell their souls to the devil. However, Dorian Gray deals with the devil unknowingly, and Dr. Faustus conjures the devil. After Dorian sells his soul, he becomes an immoral criminal, and even resorts to murder. After Dr. Faustus sells his soul, he lives frivolously and entertains himself through practical jokes. So who is more evil? An innocent young man corrupted by the ideas of another? Or, a man who is bored with the world, and seeking excitement calls upon the devil? Dorian Gray is clearly more evil, because even though both he and Faustus were corrupted by knowledge Dorian destroys peoples lives and commits felonies, whereas Faustus just does things for his own pleasure.
             The protagonists in these works are intellectuals. They read many books and have an immense amount of knowledge in many areas. Dr. Faustus knows everything about the material world and is dissatisfied with it. So, he becomes infatuated with the spiritual world. This is why he wants to sell his soul. His desire for knowledge overcomes his sensibility. Dorian Gray read many books about fields he was interested in like art. These books did not corrupt him; he was just thirsty for knowledge.
             Many other factors lead to the eventual downfall of both characters, but books and written documents have an especially strong effect on the characters. Doctor Faustus has a Book of Magic that first turns him onto black magic and the devil. Furthermore, Faustus never would have been forced to have his meeting with the devil, if it hadn't been for that book. The devil doesn't come because the spell works, but because he knows he has something to gain if he answers the call. Similarly, Dorian has a little yellow book that Lord Henry gave him. Doria
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