The Picture of Dorian Gray – Chapter 20 Commentary

In chapter 20 of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian reflects on his past and wonders whether he will ever regain his innocence. In this passage, Gothic elements underline the idea of the pursuit of individualism. Dorian’s wild, racing emotions clearly show how much he is driven by his readiness to fulfill his desires under any circumstance. Through this, the use of specific words and punctuation markings also highlight Dorian’s personal yearning to let go and forget about his past.
Dorian has evidently changed as a character in contrast to the beginning of the book. In this chapter, he aims to cleanse his soul and start new. However, Dorian still strives merely for what he wants instead of thinking for others. He is willing to take risks in order to accomplish his own goals no matter how negatively others are affected. Dorian’s decision to leave Hetty was simply a response to the desire of returning to his innocent state. It is written, “Perhaps if his life became pure, he would be able to expel every sign of evil passion from the face…he would be good and the hideous thing…would no longer be a terror to him” (211). The way Dorian focuses primarily on eliminating the repulsiveness from his face indicates that he prevented Hetty’s corruption solely for the benefit of retrieving his beauty. In all, his actions are far from being due to the good intention of helping others.
The central idea in this passage is morality of beauty. Dorian’s concerns remain solely on the appearance of his soul. Dorian’s personal feelings, desires and worries are highlighted. It mentions, “It was better not to think of the past. Nothing could alter that. It was of himself, and of the future he had to think. James Vane was hidden in a nam...

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...hat merely concern him. Additionally, negatively connotated words such as evil, hideous and terror are used when Dorian expresses his emotions. This contrasts with his reaction to those he had killed. While he regrets the mistakes he makes concerning himself, he shows no remorse for having a negative influence on others.
Conclusively, Dorian Gray’s overwrought emotions are apparent and draw attention to his selfishness. His emotions cause him to focus solely on his own concerns. He reduces the gravity of the deaths of Basil, Alan, James and Sibyl by expressing his relief that their murders had not affected him in any way. Dorian directs the focus on his life and not towards others, no matter what extent they had been affected by him. In all, Dorian’s selfishness is evidently portrayed through Wilde’s use of Gothic elements in character, style and idea development.