phorisms and paradoxes in Wilde's celebrated word play. Dorian becomes infatuated by Lord Henry and appears receptive to his theories and values. Readers soon see evidence of the corruptive influence of those theories and values in Dorian's behavior. Dorian becomes smitten by a young actress in a seedy theater. He returns with Basil and Lord Henry to watch her perform, but this time is disappointed by her acting. After the performance the actress declares to Dorian that he has helped her to see how false her world of acting is-the false world of the stage- and she declares her love for him. Dorian, however, spitefully dismissed her, claming that she has thrown away her artistic genius and poetic intellect. Now she "simply produce(s) no effect."
             Upon returning home, Dorian observes a slight change in the portrait basil had painted of him. He notes "a touch of cruelty in the mouth." It becomes evident that the painting shows the outward signs of sin and aging, while Dorian himself does not change in appearance. Although first horrified by this, Dorian eventually learns to take advantage of the situation. The narrative traces an ever-worsening degradation of Dorian's soul. He lives for sensations of self-gratification without regard for the consequences of his actions upon others. He is seemingly unbound by any sense of morality-indeed, the very notion of violating moral strictures seems to be an attractive prospect for him. Near the climax of the story, Dorian goes so far as to murder Basil. (Critical Survey of Long Fiction)
             The story thus raises provocative questions about morality and self-imposed restraint. There seemed to be a consensus that the book itself was immoral, that it somehow promoted indecent behavior. Yet the truth is just the opposite of this conclusion. The story clearly emphasizes the costs of self-indulgement and immoral behavior. It literally shows this in the...