Dorian Gray Beauty And Goodness

1 Pages 365 Words

The picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde uses beauty and goodness as one of its major themes. Dorian Gray, the main character, is used to portray these characteristics as well as how easily they can be lost. Dorian is described as “wonderfully handsome, with his finely-curved scarlet lips, his frank blue eyes, his crisp gold hair”. This outer beauty is what first draws Basil and Lord Henry to him. Basil is almost obsessed with Dorian saying “Everyday. I couldn’t be happy if I didn’t see him every day. He is absolutely necessary to me.” This obsession does not arrive solely on looks however. It is Dorian’s goodness that draws Basil as well as Lord Henry to him. Dorian is untainted. Society has not influenced him in anyway. He is pure; therefore, we are too assume that he is naturally good hearted (a humanistic view). This “simple and beautiful nature” is further exemplified through Lord Henry. Basil hesitates allowing Lord Henry to meet Dorian fearing that he may corrupt him. It is Lord Henry’s influence that sends Dorian into a life of “crime and gross sensuality”. Dorian represents a blank slate, much like a young child although in his twenties. He is easily influenced by those around him, which is what makes him such a find for Lord Henry who uses him to make “the new art” as described by Wilde. Dorian’s beauty and goodness is seen in his good looks and his innocence. It is this innocence that is taken away from him by Lord Henry’s influence and corruption. In my opinion Lord Henry represents society and Dorian represents any individual who is placed in that society. The “influence” “spoiling” and corruption of Dorian is representing how society can take all that is good in an individual solely by instilling in them a new frame of mind or just a single idea. This heavily plays on the psychological questions of nature versus nurture and the humanistic view, where we are to qu...