Painting the Canvas of the Psyche
“I can resist everything but temptation” (Oscar Wilde). Temptation and influences exist all around an individual and it is up to them to choose what can or cannot be of effect. The strength to resist this temptation and influence stems from one’s mental state; the human psyche is similar to a blank canvas. Like the canvas, external and internal forces are what cause changes in a person. As these forces influence an individual their mind is distorted and their ideals shift. Weaker minded individuals are easily distorted and their psyches are warped by external influences which can be other people, society or oneself. This message is reiterated many times within the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray written by …show more content…
Dorian begins as the perfect representation of high class society in Victorian England, as he fulfils expectations and does what he is told. These norms warp his view of the middle class and his psyche as his narcissism and self importance are increased drastically. Dorian starts off in society as being important only due to his looks, he is introduced as “very good-looking.” (36) and is shown to preen over this statement due to his vanity. Excessive vanity leads to an increase in narcissism due to more self-importance, this in turn leads to an increase in the id or the unrestricted part of the mind that focuses on enjoyment. As an individual gains free thought they are ostracized by society due to deterrence from expectations. Dorian deters from the expectations of being perfect for the people of the higher class and is avoided after that instance. Basil describes how “[he hears] all these hideous things that people are whispering about you” (149) The rumors display what Dorian becomes due to his warped mind, the irony is that Dorian was only conforming to societal expectations of enjoying life that led to the destruction of his moral compass. Just as external factors can impact one’s mind internal
“I can resist everything but temptation” (Oscar Wilde). Temptation and influences exist all around an individual and it is up to them to choose what can or cannot be of effect. The strength to resist this temptation and influence stems from one’s mental state; the human psyche is similar to a blank canvas. Like the canvas, external and internal forces are what cause changes in a person. As these forces influence an individual their mind is distorted and their ideals shift. Weaker minded individuals are easily distorted and their psyches are warped by external influences which can be other people, society or oneself. This message is reiterated many times within the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray written by …show more content…
Dorian begins as the perfect representation of high class society in Victorian England, as he fulfils expectations and does what he is told. These norms warp his view of the middle class and his psyche as his narcissism and self importance are increased drastically. Dorian starts off in society as being important only due to his looks, he is introduced as “very good-looking.” (36) and is shown to preen over this statement due to his vanity. Excessive vanity leads to an increase in narcissism due to more self-importance, this in turn leads to an increase in the id or the unrestricted part of the mind that focuses on enjoyment. As an individual gains free thought they are ostracized by society due to deterrence from expectations. Dorian deters from the expectations of being perfect for the people of the higher class and is avoided after that instance. Basil describes how “[he hears] all these hideous things that people are whispering about you” (149) The rumors display what Dorian becomes due to his warped mind, the irony is that Dorian was only conforming to societal expectations of enjoying life that led to the destruction of his moral compass. Just as external factors can impact one’s mind internal