The (Shallow) Picture of Dorian Gray Essay example

Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray presents a keen question on morality: can one cleanse the senses by the means of the soul, and the soul by the means of the senses? Dorian Gray lives out this epigram of Lord Henry’s in an attempt to justify a life of hedonism and over-objectification of beauty. Wilde introduces Dorian as a young man whose beauty rivals the â€Å"invention of the oil painting† itself (Wilde 7). Basil Hallward, the painter, claims that Dorian is â€Å"absolutely necessary† to him and showers Dorian in compliments as he paints him in Greek and Roman idealizations (7). Lord Henry tells Dorian that when his â€Å"youth† and â€Å"beauty goes,† he will discover there are â€Å"no triumphs left† for him (16). Because of his good looks,†¦show more content†¦Upon arriving home, Dorian notices the physical disfigurement of his soul in his painting due to his treatment of Sibyl and claims, as his portrait is now a â€Å"visible emblem of conscience,† that he will change his ways by resisting temptation and not seeing Lord Henry anymore (67). He vows to â€Å"go back to Sibyl Vane, make amends, marry her, and try to love her again† (67). Dorian attempts to change his mode of life and forget his pursuit of p leasure in favor of moral soundness. It is in this moment that Dorian could been seen as repentant, as a man who recognizes his sins and would like to make amends for the sake of his own soul. However, the next morning, while contemplating his guilt, Dorian reminds himself that there are â€Å"opiates for remorse, drugs that could lull the moral sense to sleep† (70). He writes a letter to Sibyl and feels â€Å"forgiven† for his harsh words (70). Lord Henry then arrives, and assuming that Dorian has already heard of Sibyl’s death, says that he’s relieved Dorian is not â€Å"plunged in remorse, and tearing that nice curly hair† of his (71). By â€Å"tearing his curly hair,† Dorian would be destroying his beauty on account of moral principles, an act that would violate the Lord Henry’s philosophy. After Lord Henry tells Dorian that Sibyl has killed herself, Dorian is initially horrified but eventually calms himself by saying that though Sibyl has died, â€Å"the birds sing just as happily† in hisShow MoreRelated Inner and outer beauty in Dorian Gray Essay1495 Words   |  6 Pagesthe real beauty and ugliness are hid den. The notion of inner and outer beauty is perfectly presented in the novel ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ by Oscar Wilde. The story described in this book shows how the external attractiveness influences people’s behavior and corrupts the inner beauty. The plot situated in the XIX England perfectly describes the higher class of this period. Shallow and two-faced society is concentrated only on the esthetical values of the surrounding. Youth and beauty are the mostRead MoreInner and Outer Beauty in Dorian Gray1512 Words   |  7 Pagesbeauty and ugliness are hidden. The notion of inner and outer beauty is perfectly presented in the novel ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. The story described in this book shows how the external attractiveness influences peoples behavior and corrupts the inner beauty. The plot situated in the XIX England perfectly describes the higher class of this period. Shallow and two-faced society is concentrated only on the esthetical values of the surrounding. 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Contemporary texts such as the 2004 film The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen (based on the comic book of the same name) directed by Stephen Norrington, not only visualise the character of Dorian Gray but also easily assimilateRead More Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray Essay examples1731 Words   |  7 Pa gesOscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Picture of Dorian Gray is a novel by Oscar Wilde. The genre of this novel can be classified as a comedy of manners or a gothic novel. The Picture of Dorian Gray was first published in 1890 in Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine. Another version with an additional six chapters was published in 1891. One of the major themes in the novel was the Supremacy of Beauty and Youth. 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