Dorian Gray Narcissism

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The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is his first and the only novel. This is a Faustian story of a man who commits a contract with demon in exchange of the purity of his soul for eternal youth. It has been written in 1889 and first published in the literary magazine Lippincott's Monthly in July, 1890 (Drew ix). This has been a shorter version not including the preface or chapters 3, 5, or 15-18 that are added in later publication in 1891. The novel when first published started to be known for a breathtaking amount of depressing criticism. Detractors condemn its homosexual undertones and apparent embrace of hedonistic values. The preface has written by the author in response to the unkind critics of the first edition, blaming them for failing to grasp Wilde's belief that art should be appreciated on purely aesthetic terms, without consideration of morality. …show more content…

Some characters have some input in the destruction of the protagonist while others become victims of Dorian’s aggression. Oscar Wild has created a piece of work manifest the danger of narcissism. Dorian Gray, who is once beautiful in mind, body, and soul, turns into a adaptation of Lucifer. Dorian incarnates the face of an angel with the mind of the devil. This can also be noticed that Dorian’s conversion is not entirely his own. He is a blend of Basil Hallward’s artistic abilities and Lord Henry’s influence which has brought Dorian into a tragic fall. Lord Henry tells Dorian about his epicurean views on life. He convinces him of the value of beauty exceeding all other things. The young and vulnerable Dorian is greatly moved by Lord Henry's words. Secondly, came his immoral

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