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Dorian gray and lord henry's relationship
The relationship between lord henry, basil, and dorian gray
The picture of dorian gray literary analysis
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Throughout the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, author Wilde's talks about the influence of Henry that causing the effect of the Henry characterization toward the point of view regard to women, marriage and love. In the text, Dorian exposes to the influence of Henry. For instance, after Sibyl's death incident causing Dorian having an emotional breakdown. At this moment, Henry offering Dorian some suggestions, however, the reflection of Dorian emotion afterward can seem a drastic change from sympathy to indifference toward the incident of his lover sibyl's, thus Henry represented a strong imagine of influences of Dorian. His advise for Dorian can penetrate deeply goes into his mind. One way that Lord Henry influences Dorian by using his advised to manipulates him. For example, "You can come to my sister's box. She has got some smart women with her'' (113). Wilde's implies that Dorian shouldn't regret about Sibyl death, but rather he should get engage of knowing other females from his sister's box. Initially, Dorian views the Sibyl's death as his fault. His presence is the solely reason that behind the death of Sibyl's. Wilde's expresses his view of women when Dorian's mention '' You are shallow and stupid. My God! How mad I was to love with you! What a fool I have been"(102). Wilde view that women without any artistic talent are considered worthless. Another example, Dorian asks forgiveness from Sibyl's before he heard the news about the death of Sibyl's by writing a letter to expresses his absurd action as sorrow, regret and forgive ."He covered page after page of wild words of sorrow and wilder words of pain" (111). The contrast between the Dorian whom have his own thought and the Dorian follow thoroughly what Henry says can be seen as a greater diverge person. Once Dorian established the root of what the Henry tells him, and Dorian will follow the road that causing Basil to view him differently. For example, Dorian responds of '' I met Lady Gwendolen, Harry's sister, for the first time. We were in her box. She is perfectly charming"(122). Wilde's implies, Dorian is a creature that easily controlled by the hand of Henry's and he can change his behavior and action after he's listening to Henry advise of Sibyl's death. As the novel progressive, Basil engages further conversation with Dorian's. He realizes Dorian's is not the same Dorian he knew when Dorian says '"A man who is master of himself can end a
...This essay discusses enough of The Picture of Dorian Gray to explain how floral imagery impacted the novel’s meaning. The use of floral imagery and symbolism has earned Wilde a place as one of the greatest and most influential writers of all time.
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
Have you ever heard the saying, "If looks could kill"? Well, they can. Oscar Wilde reveals how looks can be charming, deceitful and even deadly.
With the fateful encounter with Lord Henry, Dorian is ushered into a world of idealistic art and beauty. Lord Henry plays a key role in introducing a new world in which beauty, youth and sensations dominate. First, Lord Henry employs a powerful strategy of developing Dorian's self-consciousness of his ow...
Art, what is Art? It is an ambiguous matter: without an exact form, an exact meaning. Does it have any rules or restrictions? However, it can be a great influence on the lives of people. In the novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, two lovers have fell in and out of love due to Art!
...osed in the preface of the novel and through Lord Henry’s intellectual talks with Dorian, “Wilde’s odd preface, which reads like an aesthetics’ version of Blake’s ‘Proverbs of Hell,’ warns that ‘there is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book’” (BRC). Wilde understood and showed in the life of Dorian Gray, a necessity for a more controlled and careful attitude toward aestheticism, without which morality will inevitable be indefinable. The aestheticism expressed by Dorian results in self-absorption and intellectual deterioration. “If in the hunt of one’s desires and of the beautiful parts of life, the condition of others’ or of one’s own mind is put at risk, the pleasure gathered must sometimes be surrendered for the greater good” (Pearce). As Wilde makes known, it is only through a more controlled attitude that aestheticism and morality may finally line up.
Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Michael Patrick Gillespie, Editor. Norton Critical Edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2007.
The juxtaposition of Dorian’s incredible devotion and his sudden hatred of Sibyl Vane creates shock and makes the reader realize Dorian’s injustice to his lover. When he first meets Sibyl, Dorian is enamored by her beauty and talent. “‘Sibyl Vane is sacred!’” he exclaims when describing the actress to his friend Lord Henry (Wilde 51). Dorian worships her because she encompasses every aspect o...
Moreover, his first sin being the starting point of his inevitable future after meeting the infamous Lord Henry is Dorians introduction to his own beauty. As a result, his vanity is displayed through his self portrait
of this book. Dorian begins by being a very naïve lad. He is very easily
In conclusion, it has been reiterated that Lord Henry's influence, the changes in Dorian, and the immorality of the yellow book further enforced The Picture of Dorian Gray as a moral book. Oscar Wilde allows for those who could understand the real meaning of the novel by comprehending the importance of these three things to discern that he fully intended on writing this novel as a moral book.
Although Wilde halts short of stating that Basil and Lord Henry have sexual feelings for Dorian , the language he uses to describe their devotion for Dorian is unmistakably the language of deep, romantic intimacy. “Tell me more about Mr. Dorian Gray. How often do you see him?”. “Every day. I couldn’t be happy if I didn’t see him everyday. He is absolutely necessary to me”. This common motif of homoerotic bonds between men plays a large role in structuring the novel. Basils painting is born from his adoration of Dorians beauty , comparatively Lord Henry is overcome with desire to seduce Dorian. This sense of camaraderie between men fits into Wildes aesthetic values, for it returns him to his past where the philosophy of beauty was not only the basis of society but fundamental to culture. As a homosexual living in an intolerant society, Wilde asserted this philosophy in order to justify his own lifestyle.
Careful examination of Dorian’s initial susceptibility to influence, willingness to commit sin, and interactions with other characters prove Lord Henry plays the biggest role in transforming Dorian from pure to vicious. With his cunning theories and brainwashing comments, Dorian cannot muster the strength to resist Lord Henry’s dominating nature, showing there are no limitations in relationships when it comes to influence. The topic of which character primarily influences Dorian to turn to a dishonest lifestyle is undeniably significant in understanding the purpose of the characters as well as the deeper meaning of the text.
Basil Hallward, a painter, knows the corruptive influence that Lord Henry can impose upon his model, Dorian Gray. Basil does not want Lord Henry to even meet Dorian because he is afraid that Dorian will be influenced and ruined. Basil begs Henry by saying, "Don't spoil him. Don't try to influence him. Your influence would be bad. The world is wide, and has many marvelous people in it. Don't take away from me the one person who gives to my art whatever charm it possesses: my life as an artist depends on him" (Wilde 10). Right from the beginning Wilde begins to show what type of person Lord Henry is. Lord Henry's influences pose a threat to Dorian. Basil is well aware of this.
... Wilde split himself into three parts and gave them different personalities. Basil's and Lord Henry's fascination with Dorian represents Wilde's obsession with young men and his own unconscious fears. "Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be -- in other ages, perhaps." He was quite aware of what he really is: faithful, softhearted and blinded by love (we can find him as another Basil in De Frofundis).