Dorian Gray Innocence

Throughout numerous works of literature, a plethora of authors have strategically exemplified the transition from a state of innocence to one of experience within their characters. Such a conversion manifests itself through the evolution that transpires once characters are no longer sheltered from the true nature of their surroundings. Through witnessing or experiencing cruelty firsthand, characters evolve little by little until they obtain knowledge that greatly differs from the innocence that they once acquired. These characters withstand a journey that strips them of their guiltlessness as they gain exposure to new and unfamiliar experiences. Described as a state of moral purity and vulnerability, innocence symbolizes a general lack of awareness

In Wuthering Heights and The Picture of Dorian Gray, both Emily Bronte and Oscar Wilde display the loss of innocence within their characters and thus reveal the inevitability of this transition.

A loss of innocence denotes the loss of distinctions that associate one with chastity and virtue, often common among the beginning stages of life. Thus, childhood remains central to the development of Wuthering Heights throughout the entirety of the novel. In the beginning, the narration focuses on the early life of Heathcliff, who endures suffering when he is first ostracized by his new family. Although he is adopted by a wealthy Englishman named Mr. Hareton Earnshaw, Heathcliff experiences difficulties during the dawn of his adolescence. To commence his loss of purity is the contempt that Catherine and Hindley-Mr. Earnshaw’s children- have toward him upon his arrival at the family’s home. At one point, Nelly tells Lockwood that Heathcliff “‘bred bad feeling in the house’” the moment he arrived (55). Both Catherine and Hindley originally have an aversion to the child and resent his presence within the family. Although Catherine eventually learns to love Heathcliff, a more

Growing up, Heathcliff and Catherine acquire an adoration for one another. Nelly describes Catherine as “‘much too fond of Heathcliff,’” stating that the “‘greatest punishment we could invent for her was to keep her separate for him’” (42). Heathcliff’s life takes a turn for the worse after Catherine returns from the Linton manor proclaiming her love for Edgar Linton. After some time, she accepts a marriage proposal from Edgar, symbolizing a turning point in Heathcliff’s development as a character. After hearing this news, Heathcliff is devastated and opts to leave Wuthering Heights to fend for himself. Following this, their relationship evolves and becomes more and more complex, depicted by the intricate narration throughout the novel. Despite the fact that she marries Edgar, however, Catherine states that Heathcliff is more herself than she (50). She exclaims, “‘Whatever our souls are made of, [Heathcliff’s] and mine are the same, and [Edgar’s] is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire’” (50). Perhaps the most tragic aspect of the complicated relationship that Heathcliff and Catherine share is the fact that they are never truly together despite their mutual love for one another. This in itself allows Heathcliff to transition from innocence to experience, because he is not only exposed to