The Picture Of Dorian Gray Oscar Wilde - 2014 Words

Adrian Balakumar Mr.Sal AP Lit 15 December 2014 The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde 1) In the book, The Picture of Dorian Gray, several characteristics of the world have been presented. The author portrays the world as a den of individuals with a skewed view of the immediate environment. The author depicts the world as a place where physical traits like beauty or handsomeness are important than a person’s virtues. Dorian spends his time studying music and other beautiful things that life has to offer. Visible aspects such as youthfulness are viewed by the characters of the novel as the most superior aspects of life. Lord Henry reminds Dorian that soon he would lose vital attributes that mattered to him in life. By saying so, he†¦show more content†¦The author describes him as an intellectual and unshakeable. He can influence Dorian, who later worships and follows him blindly. Lord Henry holds skeptical beliefs that are due to destabilizing the status quo, but in the real sense his theories are filled with naivety. His character depicts a man full of composure and filled with witty ideas. He negates widely accepted views of the existence of immoral books stating that those texts expose the real face of the world. He clings to this as his philosophy. Although he does believe in theories relating to immorality, the yellow book that he lent Dorian lead to Dorian’s downfall. The actions of Lord Henry brings out the theme of negative influence and its consequences. Through Lord Henry, Dorian commits suicide. The author tries to depict how the world is affected by such negative influences. The author also uses Lord Henry to illustrate the superficial nature of human beings. Lord Henry claims that moral and immoral experiences should have equal pursuit. To the contrary, he is a party man and frequents the theater. The author also shows how humans are having little understanding of the soul. Lord Henry had earlier claimed that Dorian could not commit suicide yet at the end of the story he does. From Lord Henry unwillingness to change, we are supposed to learn the essence of appreciating new ideas. In addition to that, it is evident that a change is inevitable. 3) The book title gives us insight into