Dorian Gray - 1668 Words

4/18/11 Heaven or Hell â€Å"The mind is its own place, and in itself, can make heaven of Hell, and a hell of Heaven.† (John Milton). How an individual lives their life is based on numerous things such as: how they were raised, what type of environment they are in. However, in The Picture of Dorian Gray the main character Dorian says â€Å"Each of us has Heaven and Hell in him, Basil!† (Wilde 133). What Dorian is saying is that no matter how one is raised, and what environment one is in they will always do good and bad. In, The Picture of Dorian Gray the character Dorian by nature is a humble charming good- natured fellow; however, once he meets Harry he turns into a secretive, sordid, egotistic human being. Dorian is a chief example for a person†¦show more content†¦With this being said, Dorian can be held accountable for tarnishing his acquaintances reputations. By the same token, Harry can be held responsible for Dorian’s downward spiral to his treacherous end. In the Vict orian era, who you know and what you do was your reputation. Therefore, if you did horrific things in your daily life, your name would be slandered and become rubbish in addition to being valueless if someone who you were acquainted with were to find out about your deeds. This was mainly only for upper class ladies and gentleman, such as, Dorian and Harry. Dorian was once a man who many people loved, admired and desired to know. However, once he began experimenting with drugs and all the tremendous amounts of vulgar acts he became a man â€Å"†¦that a man like the Duke of Berwick leaves the room of a club when you enter it†¦whom no pure-minded girl should be allowed to know and whom no chaste woman should sit in a room with†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Wilde 127). Dorian’s reputation had gotten so bad wives and husbands separated and lived in different homes. Lady Gwendolyn’s children weren’t allowed to live with her and no one decent woman would take ride with her in a park. Just the mere mention of a connection with Dorian and someone else could ruin that person’s life. However, Dorian was not always so hellish and evil, but he was influenced to be; Harry Wotton was the trigger of Dorian’s downfall. Harry Wotton was a man of philosophies; however, theseShow MoreRelatedThe Picture of Dorian Gray: The Sins of Dorian Gray Essay519 Words   |  3 Pagesattainable to become perfect without giving something in return, possibly your soul. This is a theme challenged in the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. We see the tragedy of a young beautiful Englishman, Dorian Gray, who becomes a vain sinner dedicated to pleasure. Dorians inner secrets and weakness of mind becomes his downfall. 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Therefore, what matters to Dorian, is not the internal goodness an individual possesses but the appearance they present. Consequently, Dorian is able to forget the violent acts he commits as long as he appears beautiful on the outside. Since externalRead MoreThe Picture Of Dorian Gray1416 Words   |  6 PagesOscar Wilde’s novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, chronicles the transform ation of Dorian Gray from an naive youth to a corrupted monster. The simplicity of the storyline contrasts the complexity of Dorian Gray; specifically, the cause of his corruption. The cursed portrait, and characters such as Lord Henry and Basil, play a significant role in the Dorian’s journey to pernicity, but neither of three can be held entirely responsible. Dorian Gray’s initial innocence conceals an inner evil within him;Read MoreThe Picture Of Dorian Gray1211 Words   |  5 PagesIn The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde warns against immorality, vanity and selfishness using his protagonist’s downfall to show the dangers of overindulgence and depravity. The preface is contradictory and reveals that Wilde’s beliefs on art and its ties to morality were inconsistent. He appears to be trying to show that we shouldn’t subscribe to just one clear ideal without questioning it or considering other opinions. However, it’s clear throughout the book that there is a strong moral ideologyRead MoreThe Picture Of Dorian Gray1432 Words   |  6 PagesIn The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, we see how the different characters show their love of beauty and pleasure and the affects they have on the main character: Dorian Gray. Each of the three main characters, Basil Hallward, Lord Henry Wotton, and Dorian Gray portray a part of how the author felt about himself and the world around him. â€Å"Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks of me: Dorian what I would like to be- in other ages, perhaps† (qtd. in Bloom pg. 117)Read MoreThe Picture Of Dorian Gray957 Words   |  4 Pagesof Dorian Gray. He infuses what it means to be an outsider in almost every character in the story. The most important of these characters are Dorian Gray, Henry, and Basil. Each show what it means to be an outsider in his own individual way; whether it is an outsider among society, among a group of friends, or fro m a person’s own self. The main character, Dorian Gray, possesses most attributes of being an outsider. The most obvious way is being an outsider from himself. The picture of Dorian ages