Themes In The Picture Of Dorian Gray
analytical Essay
1036 words
The picture of Dorian Gray is a book which fascinated people ever since it first came out. Even today this novel influences and captivates minds all over the globe. This is because there are some very clear similarities in Dorian as a character and our own modern society. The obsession with youth and beauty has never been more prominent than today. The way that Dorian is trying to look perfect to everyone around is also very common in today’s society and it shows how the peer pressure of the demand for beauty affects everyone. There are many parallels between Dorian’s character and the world we live in. At the start of the novel Dorian is a very innocent and young character and it’s not a surprise that Basil fears that the young man can be easily influenced. Soon, Dorian let’s himself get transformed by Lord Henry’s ideas and opinions. Dorian is intrigued by the old man’s views and morals, well lack of said morals. Soon he starts to believe that the only path to success is looking young and beautiful. Dorian loses his innocence as his obsession with his looks grow. We can easily see this parallel in modern day society too. These days, perhaps more than ever before, people believe that people with good looks have an easier life and are more prone to success. People tend to think that success is something reached thanks to good looks or to some people they think of success as achieving this youthful appearance. We see this on daily basis. Let’s say social media, people login and almost everywhere they see example of these perfect beautiful people which most of the time aren’t even real. Social media and the painting of Dorian Gray therefore have a lot of notable similarities. A …show more content…
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the picture of dorian gray fascinated people ever since it first came out. the obsession with youth and beauty has never been more prominent than today.
- Analyzes how dorian's innocence and obsession with his looks lead him to believe that the only path to success is looking young and beautiful. people use social media to showcase the most beautiful version of themselves.
- Opines that dorian and today's people are being bombarded by messages that say that looks are all that matters and that all people should strive to look youthful and beautiful.
- Analyzes how lord henry is an interesting character who showcases the hypocrisy of high society perfectly.
- Analyzes how dorian is a true hypocrite, but there is another example of this hypocrisy in high class society: the unhealthy obsession with youth and beauty.
It intrigued people ever since it first came out and people can take away so much from it even today. Just by realizing how much of the story can be applied to real life, a person can really take away a lot into their everyday
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- The Picture Of Dorian Gray Analysisanalytical essayOscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) follows the story of Dorian Gray; a man gifted with exquisite natural beauty, whose vanity and obsession with his own youth leads him astray in a life of sin. As Dorian slowly loses his innocence, with the obsession of living hedonistically, his portrait suffers the punishment for his sins and growing age. Dorian himself remains untouched in age; however, the portrait reflects the loss of innocence in his pursuit of atheistic and hedonistic lifestyle. The thematic overtones explored in Wilde’s book discuss many issues of value, ethics, and vice. Although Wilde writes about the downfall of Dorian Gray due to obsession of beauty, it is important to note that Dorian himself only dies when his human
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how oscar wilde's the picture of dorian gray follows the story of a man gifted with exquisite natural beauty, whose vanity and obsession with his own youth leads him astray in life of sin.
- Analyzes how the painter basil hallward is obsessed with dorian and attempts to shield him from any outside influence that will corrupt him.
- Analyzes how wilde's ideals are hidden and impressed upon lord henry, who convinces dorian gray that one should give in to hedonistic pleasures and take pleasure in one’s beauty and youth while it lasts.
- Analyzes how basil and lord henry play the role of the artist (vice and virtue) and place upon the metaphorical canvas that is dorian a thumbprint of their artistic prowess.
- Opines that marriage is an irrevocable vow that they want to take. when they are with sibyl vane, they regret all that you have taught them.
- Analyzes how oscar wilde's ideals are captured through the words of dorian. the dichotomy between all three characters creates the narrative of conflict that finds little resolution other than the death of certain characters.
- Analyzes how oscar wilde portrays and captures a lot of his own ideals in the picture of dorian gray.
- Analyzes how oscar wilde's the picture of dorian gray reflects the ideals of what is considered beautiful: physical attributes, talent, skill, lack of, and admiration are elements that all characters and more importantly admire.
1304 wordsRead More - Themes of Obsession in Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Grayanalytical essayObsession in its nature is toxic; it turns people into gods, and leaves no room for their actual selves. Celebrities are the idols of the modern world, where ever they go, a fan follows them dying to get their attention. Dorian Gray, who was loved by nearly all of London for his charm and beauty, who’s biggest fan, Basil, worship of him lead to bitterness. The theme of obsession in The Picture of Dorian Gray is seen through both those who worship Dorian Gray, and the portrait, which is the object of Dorian's obsession. Although Wilde displays obsession through Basil's worship of Dorian, and even Dorian's obsession with himself and his youth, the modern day celebrity is a parallel to Dorian, who is worshipped by many at first for their beauty, wealth or fame, but the nature of the worship eventually leads to chaos.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how obsession turns people into gods and leaves no room for their actual selves. celebrities are the idols of the modern world, where ever they go, a fan follows them dying to get their attention.
- Analyzes how basil's worship of dorian is depicted early in the novel, before he is even a real introduced.
- Analyzes how dorian gray's obsession with beauty is seen through the portrait, and his narcissism, which corrupts his outward appearance.
- Analyzes how the modern obsession with beauty is seen through plastic surgery, cosmetics, and the desire to become the idols that the middle class worships.
- Analyzes how dorian gray's obsession with his beauty and youth led to his ultimate downfall. obsession led him to find no sensation in the world, to receive no benefit from his unusual lifestyle.
- Analyzes dorian's obsession with his beauty and youth, and basil’s worship of him, are a driving force in the story. the idolatry and downfall of obsession are seen in fiction and reality.
- Analyzes how the internet has made it easier for people to act on their traditional impulses towards admiration and being admired.
1283 wordsRead More - The French born author, Anais Nin once wrote, “We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative” ("Think Exist Quotations"). Anais is expounding upon the inconsistency all people have in aspects of their personalities. Some days a person may be hailed as a saint for their actions, while other days they seem absolutely evil. In most literature, characters are defined as good or evil based on their revealed thoughts and actions. On occasion an anomaly may be found, where a character is more ambiguous. Dorian Gray’s Actions throughout The Picture of Dorian Gray paralyzes the readers’ ability to condemn Dorian as purely good or purely evil, causing them to be more sympathetic than usual.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes anais nin's quote about the inconsistency all people have in aspects of their personalities. in most literature, characters are defined as good or evil based on their revealed thoughts and actions.
- Analyzes how dorian is described as an innocent, charming, beautiful young man, with looks comparable to a god, charm that could swoon any woman, and mesmerizing persona, yet he seems imperceptible to himself.
- Analyzes how dorian's personality is swaying towards the evil side based on his vanity and extreme concern with himself until sibyl vane becomes the most prominent part of his life.
- Analyzes how dorian's love for sibyl vane seems glorious and untouchable as he devotes all of his nights to watching her performance in plays.
- Analyzes how dorian's self-realization leads him to think about the concept of a conscience, which lord henry had previously taught him about.
- Analyzes how dorian's actions have been fairly balanced with good and evil, but as the end grows closer, readers see that he seems to deviate from his good actions.
- Analyzes how dorian commits many sins and doesn't feel bad about them, but shows remorse when he murders his best friend, basil, and stabs him. murder is an irrevocable evil that even readers cannot reason with.
- Analyzes how dorian gray's personality and actions are inconsistent, preventing readers from making a definitive decision about him.
2031 wordsRead More - The classic novel by Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray inspires beauty, and romance. The main focus of the novel is aesthetics, a philosophical view detailing the nature of creation and appreciation of art and beauty. The tragedy of the young Dorian Gray after becoming misled by his companion, Lord Henry Wotton, is one that causes many to reform ideas on life and purpose. Lord Henry believes in hedonism, a thought stating that pleasure is the only true good; he declares, “The only things worth pursuing in life are beauty and fulfilment of the senses” (Wilde). This outlook is tempting for many persons, including that of the title character, Dorian Gray. In contrast to Lord Henry is an artist named Basil Hallward, whom perceives Dorian to be his muse; serving as inspiration, and purpose. Basil has many moral traits including trust, compassion, and kindness. His infatuation with Dorian causes him to change his art and style, composing an exquisite painting of the young boy. Basil states, “the work I have done, since I met Dorian Gray, is good work, is the best work of my life…his personality has suggested to me an entirely new manner in art, an entirely new mode of style. I see things differently.” (Wilde). Dorian becomes so mesmerized by the beauty of the picture and the words of Lord Henry that he wishes for the picture to depict his sins and age, rather than his physical being. To the surprise of the young Dorian, his wish becomes fulfilled. This theme shares similarity to the Faust story, as the title character exchanges his soul for pleasures
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how oscar wilde's the picture of dorian gray inspires beauty, and romance.
- Argues that the picture of dorian gray should be included in the english curriculum because of its intricate plot, literature, and provoking ideas.
- Analyzes how oscar wilde creates a story that details much of victorian era society, and the aesthetic movement.
- Analyzes how the victorian society was vulgar, unacceptable, dangerous, and malevolent. the events of the picture of dorian gray occur almost completely in late 19th century london; nature remains a fundamental theme, much like in frankenstein.
- Analyzes how the critical significance of nature in the picture of dorian gray provides a large, refreshing contrast to the sublimity of nature in frankenstein.
- Analyzes how lord henry advises the innocent dorian gray that he would give his soul to remain young, if only his portrait would age.
- Analyzes how dorian's portrait depicts the changing conception of oneself, inevitably showing him his true self.
- Opines that the picture of dorian gray is an excellent novel, complete with suspense, drama, beauty, lust, and thought.
- Explains facts on file, inc., 2008. bloom's literature.
- Describes wilde, oscar, and bristow's the picture of dorian gray.
1991 wordsRead More - Essay on Picture of Dorian Gray: Dorian as Tragic Heroanalytical essayThe Picture of Dorian Gray: Dorian as Tragic Hero In "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde, we see a beautiful young man who makes tremendous efforts to transform the actual world into the idealistic world of art, dreams and sensations. Dorian's quest, however, culminates in his ultimate tragic destruction. Given that Dorian lives a corrupt life, one is likely to focus on the negative aspects of his character.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how oscar wilde's "the picture of dorian gray" portrays a beautiful young man who transforms the actual world into the idealistic world of art, dreams, and sensations.
- Analyzes how the opening scene symbolizes the world in which dorian is situated at present.
- Analyzes how lord henry introduces a new world in which beauty, youth, and sensations dominate.
- Analyzes how the praise arouses dorian's self-consciousness of his own beauty and raises his fear of losing it.
- Analyzes how dorian's obsession with the youth is mainly designed and manipulated by lord henry.
- Analyzes how dorian's love for sibyl vane demonstrates his attitude based upon lord henry’s viewpoint. he admires her as a "juliet", "rosalind" and "imogen."
- Analyzes how dorian enters into a world of shadow, reflection, which is the area of art.
- Analyzes how dorian's cruel act towards sibyl pushes him into the extreme world in which artistic values and eternal youth are present.
- Analyzes how lord henry accelerates dorian's self-justification when he concludes the death of sibyl vane as the terrible beauty of a greek tragedy.
- Explains that the "poisonous book" lord henry gives opens the door to "all the passions and modes of thought"
- Explains that dorian seeks ways to realize "a new hedonism" and pursues new experiences in order to satisfy his intellectual curiosity.
- Analyzes how dorian is influenced by lord henry, so does he destroy others around him.
- Analyzes basil's rumor that dorian "corrupt[s] every one with whom you[he] become intimate" and alan campbell, whose attitude when it comes to disposing deal basil manifests the soured relationship.
- Explains that dorian corrupts the world with his evil desire, but his personality and demonization pose a question: why do we feel pity and fear when we look at his downfall?
- Analyzes how dorian's fear of losing his youth and beauty is understandable in terms of an instincitve human emotion. by aborbing, he tries to forget that his soul is actually degrading.
- Explains that what dorian does is, in fact, based upon lord henry's value.
- Analyzes how dorian's unusual pursuit stems from human fear and lord henry’s theory, which evokes undeniable pity. the mysterious picture as a conscience lays the foundation for his self-indulgence.
- Analyzes how dorian has the same psychological trait we have, which discloses his humane aspect. we implicitly acknowledge his dangerous freedom to do whatever he likes.
- Analyzes how dorian intensifies the painful experience, vividly accentuates the existence of our soul. he is a tragic hero with the same human desire but with overwhelming courage to investigate it at his peril.
- Analyzes how dorian's destruction evokes pity and fear because his death represents human limitation. in the aftermath of jame vane’s accidental death, we witness his change.
- Analyzes how dorian's soul-searching demonstrates his humane aspect as a tragic hero. deeply disappointed by and frustrated with the portrait which is worsened by his "vanity" and "hypocrsy"
- Describes the works of harold bloom, harold cohen, richard ellison, donald freidman, and rupert hart-davis.
2335 wordsRead More - The Picture of Dorian Gray – Chapter 20 Commentaryanalytical essayIn 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.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how dorian's overwrought emotions lead him to think irrationally. he hides from the fact that his choices were the reason behind his sins.
- Analyzes how the use of specific words and punctuation emphasizes dorian's emotional state. he is horrified and desperate to start his life new to escape his guilt.
- Concludes that dorian gray's overwrought emotions are apparent and draw attention to his selfishness. 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.
- Analyzes how gothic elements underline the idea of individualism in oscar wilde's the picture of dorian gray.
664 wordsRead More - The Picture of Dorian Gray revolves around Dorian's dual nature. On the one hand, he is the young hero whose adventures the novel records; on the other, he is a painted image of "extraordinary personal beauty." When Lord Henry tells him that his exceptional looks will not last, the young man prays that he be allowed to remain as he is in Basil's portrait of him. Dorian wants to enjoy his youth for ever. His "mad wish" is a key to the archetypal factors which...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the essay explores the gay as a literary figure based on oscar wilde's the picture of dorian gray.
- Analyzes how the picture of dorian gray revolves around his dual nature — he is a young hero whose adventures the novel records; his "mad wish" is key to the archetypal factors which condition
- Analyzes how many epithets, such as ovid's puer aeternus, also describe dorian, but these parallels are unlikely to have been intended.
- Analyzes how the young man realizes that he has only known the passions of an adolescent's dreams.
- Analyzes how the novel begins with dorian praying that he be granted the "eternal youth" proper only to a god.
- Opines that it is a blessing that there is one art left to us that is not imitative. don't stop. i want music tonight.
- Compares lord henry, dorian, and marsyas. the portrait gradually assumes the aspect of a "hideous old satyr."
- Analyzes how dorian appropriates dionysos and apollo's attributes by virtue of his "mad prayer." he is a symbolic personification of both the intoxication and the apollonian form, of involvement and unapproachability.
753 wordsRead More - Dorian Gray Vs. Frankensteinanalytical essay“The Picture of Dorian Gray” is a novel written by Oscar Wilde. The story takes place in England, where the artist Basil Hallward paints a portrait of the young and beautiful Dorian Gray. During his stay at the artist’s studio, he gets introduced to Lord Henry who later becomes one of the most influential people in his life. Dorian Gray becomes aware of his amazing beauty and youthfulness due to the portrait and wishes that the portrait ages instead of him. His wish comes true, Dorian remains beautiful and youthful while the portrait changes. Lord Henry becomes his best friend and motivates him to live in abundance, to sin and always strive for beauty. After a while, Dorian discovers that his portrait doesn’t only age, but also changes face expression as a result of all his sins and evil deeds. Dorian gets anxious by the fact that the portrait shows his evil soul and is scared that somebody will see it, therefore he hides it. The portrait haunts Dorian although it’s hidden. As Dorian’s sins gets worse, he feels that he can’t handle the pressure anymore and decides to destroy the portrait that shows his true self.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that monsters don't necessarily need to be fictional; even humans can be a monster. human-monsters are hard to detect, so it's easy to treat people based on looks.
- Explains that the purpose of this essay is to show how two different "creatures" such as frankenstein's ugly monster and the beautiful dorian gray are similar despite their different appearances.
- Analyzes how oscar wilde's "the picture of dorian gray" takes place in england, where the artist basil hallward paints a portrait of the young and beautiful.
- Analyzes how victor frankenstein, the main character, moves to ingolstadt for further studies in nature sciences. he spends years cutting out old body parts and sewing them back together in the hope of creating a new creature.
- Analyzes how dorian gray is naive, pure, and gentle. he's an "ideal" man with his astonishing charm and beauty.
- Analyzes how dorian gray is a monstrous human, but it doesn't mean that he lacks emotions.
- Analyzes how dorian's inexperience and naivety made him think that he could only be loved if remained charming and beautiful for the rest of his life.
- Analyzes how frankenstein's monster was born looking like a monster, but not as one. he wandered lonely in the streets and forests, trying to adapt to the new world.
- Analyzes how the monster becomes disgusted when he reads a book where people murder their fellows. he dreams of revealing his secret to the family and being accepted as their family member.
- Analyzes how frankenstein feels for him after the monster kills his brother and destroys the work. he weeps like a sensitive child when his creator dies and wishes to die too.
- Compares dorian gray and the horrifying monster that frankenstein created. both were innocent, pure and naive in the beginning.
- Concludes that dorian gray and victor frankenstein were responsible for their tragic fate. they were fixated on their appearances and longed for love and something that would feed their souls.
- Concludes that both novels have the "monster" theme and show us society and its preconceptions and that society judges by appearance.
2002 wordsRead More - Duality In Mark Twain's The Picture Of Dorian Grayanalytical essayDorian Gray seems to be two different people, at the exact same time. He is beautiful externally, but hideous internally. He is good-natured externally, and at the same time, ill-natured internally. Dorian appears to be perfect externally, but is extremely flawed internally. Dorian’s private ethics oppose the public morals of the traditional Victorian society in which he is a part of (Gillespie). He possesses a dual-nature through his struggle between his inner and outer selves. Dorian seems to exhibit a duality of innocence and sin at the same time. He is publically good and innocent. He maintains his good social standing for a time, by appearing to be the same, moral man he once was before he became friends with Lord Henry. However, at the same time, he
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how dorian gray is a combination of both basil and lord henry.
- Analyzes how dorian acknowledges the duality within him through speaking about his love, sibyl vane, while lord henry opposes this relationship due to his negative thoughts on marriage.
- Analyzes how lord henry's influence on dorian to terminate his relationship with his young love, sibyl vane, can contribute to one’s own code of conduct.
- Analyzes how dorian gray's life is filled with beauty, prosperity, love, while also turmoil, hideousness, and spite.
1031 wordsRead More - Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray was written during the late nineteenth century England. The protogonist Dorian Gray is portrayed as a paragon of youth and beauty whose aristocracy and charisma inspire his surroundings, particularly an artist called Basil Hallward. Dorian poses for him and one day while again posing to Basil, he is introduced to a cycnical philosopher and orator William Henry. Dorian is easily seduced by his theories. Lord Henry corrupts this young boy by transforming into a hedonist. Through him, he faces the harsh realities that his physical appearance is fading and he becomes afraid of ageing. He envies the concrete and ever-to-survive masterpiece of Basil and longs for aging on his life without any sign of ageing and decay. Then his wish incredibly turns out to be real. And his sins begin to be appear in the pic...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the similarities between oscar wilde and walter pater and their children the picture of dorian gray and marius the epicurean.
- Analyzes how oscar wilde's the picture of dorian gray portrays the protogonist as a paragon of youth and beauty.
- Analyzes how walter pater, a critic and propogandist of aestheticism, created historical and imaginary figures in the process of thinking by pen like oscar wilde in marius the epicurean.
- Analyzes how marius, a child priest, is orphaned and loses his attachment to the roman pagan religion in which he passed his early life.
- Analyzes how oscar wilde and lord henry's ways cross many times in literature. they lived in the same periods and influenced each other.
- Explains that many artists and authors are inluded within this tenet such as baudelaire, rimbaund, malarme and oscar wilde.
- Explains that the doctrine of lord henry is called "new hedonism" or "epicureanism," which is the basic credo that maintains pleasure is good, pain is bad.
- Analyzes how oscar wilde asserts that there is no such thing as moral or immoral. he sublimates experience in de profundis.
- Analyzes how oscar wilde, a follower of epicureanism, maintains that one must accept the duality of life in all matters.
- Analyzes how basil was a misogynist who despised women and related his homosexuality to his dissatisfaction on women.
- Analyzes how oscar wilde exposes the demonic side of art in the picture of dorian gray.
- Analyzes how aestheticism and hedonism resemble each other in some respects.
- Analyzes how oscar wilde mentions the importance of punishment for purification of the soul in his book the picture of dorian gray.
2343 wordsRead More