• Home Page
  • Comparison Of Dorian Gray: Values And Beliefs

Comparison Of Dorian Gray: Values And Beliefs

Improved Essays
Show More
Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray is a unique piece of literature. Set in late 19th century London, the novel centers around Dorian Gray and his friends- Lord Henry Wotton and Basil Hallward. Lord Henry and Basil Hallward share a close relationship with Dorian Gray, having great influence on his development. Both Lord Henry and Basil have completely different values and beliefs. Basil believes in the goodness of mankind and values art to the highest degree. Lord Henry cares little concerning others, and instead values self-indulgence and pleasure.
Basil truly believes in the goodness of mankind, supporting pure values like truth, love, and beauty. Basil tends to confuse them due to his artistic temperament, resulting in poor judgement

Related Documents

  • Superior Essays

    Morally Ambiguous Character Of Dorian Gray
    • 1293 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Morally Ambiguous Character Of Dorian Gray

    Dorian Gray “The Japanese say you have three faces. The first face, you show to the world. The second face, you show to your close friends, and your family.…

    • 1293 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Aestheticism In The Picture Of Dorian Gray
    • 830 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Aestheticism In The Picture Of Dorian Gray

    In the novel, Dorian Gray personifies the aesthetic lifestyle in action, pursuing personal satisfaction with abandon. He does not distinct between moral or immoral acts, and simply does what pleases himself without caring about others affected by his actions. Rather than being an advocate for a pure aesthetic lifestyle, Dorian is an…

    • 830 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Great Essays

    Allusions In Oscar Wilde's The Picture Of Dorian Gray
    • 1851 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Allusions In Oscar Wilde's The Picture Of Dorian Gray

    There are not many short books that can leave a memorable and lasting impression on the reader, but The Picture of Dorian Gray is certainly among one of them. First published in 1890, the book tells the tale of A young man, Dorian Gray, who becomes infatuated with his beauty after a conversation with Lord Henry Wotton, who he met through his friend, Basil Hallward, the true culprit of the tragedy, for he was the one who painted the portrait of Dorian, which became the symbol of corruption within the youth’s own soul. The author, Oscar Wilde, has managed to contrive a unique story, considered indecent for its time due to its plot as well as elaborate metaphorical allusions and character depiction that violated public morality. While it may seem…

    • 1851 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Basil Hallward And Oscar Wilde's The Picture Of Dorian Gray
    • 1276 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Basil Hallward And Oscar Wilde's The Picture Of Dorian Gray

    In all most of our lives, we take some type of influence from many other things whether it is positive or negative. In The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, the main character Dorian Gray is being influenced by these two completely different impactful characters his friends; Basil Hallward and Lord Henry. Basil paints a portrait of Dorian gray appreciating the epitome of beauty and Lord Henry and acquaintance of Basil convinces him to sell his soul to be forever young while the portrait grows old. The piece of art flares varying attitudes closest to Dorian and he begins to be more self-indulgent and corrupt inside and out. In the novel, Lord Henry is considered a negative source for Dorian.…

    • 1276 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Examples Of Allusions In Fahrenheit 451
    • 690 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Examples Of Allusions In Fahrenheit 451

    Allusion: A direct or implied phrase reference to an event, person, or place and can range from anything including, real-world events, works of fiction, and religious manuscripts. Furthermore, allusions can also be used to elude the message or tone of the writing. Ex. In the novel Fahrenheit 451, written by Ray Bradbury, the use of allusions helps the reader understand and visualize the events taking place, and draw connections to events that they can relate to. We see this happen on pg 59, when two books are burnt, Little Black Sambo and Uncle Tom’s Cabin, because they were heavily criticized for their racial issues.…

    • 690 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Masculinity In Oscar Wilde's The Picture Of Dorian Gray
    • 1684 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Masculinity In Oscar Wilde's The Picture Of Dorian Gray

    Oscar Wilde does an excellent job utilizing Heteronormativity and Homosocialality to portray masculinity throughout his book, The Picture of Dorian Gray. Heteronormativity is the idea that heterosexuality is the only established sexual orientation. While, Homosocialality focuses more on the idea that men can bond with men without being labeled homosexual. The three main characters, Basil, Lord Henry and Dorian, experience many situations that illustrate these two theories. There is also an erotic triangle that links the two enemies, Basil and Lord Henry, to a romance which is Dorian.…

    • 1684 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    The Picture Of Dorian Gray Essay
    • 967 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Picture Of Dorian Gray Essay

    In the preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wide writes: “It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors”. Discuss this statement with close reference to the text. Introduction The quote, “It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors,” is a case in point of Dorian Gray’s portrait.…

    • 967 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Importance Of Evil In Dorian Gray
    • 569 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Importance Of Evil In Dorian Gray

    By trading his soul for his youth, Dorian rids of the good inside of himself. As the story progresses, it is clear that wickedness actually lies within him. From the moment he made that wish upon the portrait he began to crumble. Even once he reached his epiphany and saw his malicious ways through the portrait, he simply denied seeing it and continued his destructive deeds. Throughout the novel, you can tell that Dorian is very naïve and is very easily influenced.…

    • 569 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Great Essays

    Heart Of Darkness And Oscar Wilde's The Picture Of Dorian Gray
    • 1792 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Heart Of Darkness And Oscar Wilde's The Picture Of Dorian Gray

    It can be said that within the core of every human being, lies a certain amount of darkness. While this is true, it can also be said that this internal darkness can only surface given the right opportunity and within the right environment. However, once this darkness does manage to emerge, its force is powerful enough to destroy the very part of us that makes us human. This darkness and evilness of man is a prominent theme reflected in the setting, plot structure, and characterization of Joseph Conrad’s, Heart of Darkness and Oscar Wilde’s, The Picture of Dorian Gray.…

    • 1792 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Morality In The Picture Of Dorian Gray And Frankenstein
    • 1493 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Morality In The Picture Of Dorian Gray And Frankenstein

    The trouble with defining the nature of Dorian Gray, is that one is left wondering if he should be defined based on his morals, or on the morals held by most of society. If Gray is evaluated based on his morals, those of beauty and ugliness, he would be described as beautiful. This presents a serious flaw in Dorian’s own moral system, as he may be a “beautiful creature” (Wilde 7). In reality, though, he is evil. Even Dorian is aware of his own evil nature, saying “he… tarnished himself, filled his mind with corruption and given horror to his fancy” (Wilde 184).…

    • 1493 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Duality In Dorian Gray And The Picture Of Dorian Wilde
    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Duality In Dorian Gray And The Picture Of Dorian Wilde

    For centuries, mankind has had a propensity to utilise the biological distinctions of the sexes in order to enforce a societal distinction between the sexes, which is known as gender. Gender, as the socially imposed division of the sexes, allowed societies to delineate certain characteristics to each of the sexes, and thus assign different roles, moral codes, and, in certain societies, thoughts and emotions to them. As such, the study of gender is of profound importance to the manner in which one reads and studies literature. For instance, the delineation of the sexes prior to the 19th century, women were educated to a lesser extent than men, having an education limited to that of moral virtues, modern languages, and societal accomplishments…

    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Theme Of Corruption In The Picture Of Dorian Gray
    • 1207 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Theme Of Corruption In The Picture Of Dorian Gray

    Basil Hallward is an artist completely devoted to his work. Lord Henry Wotton is the most influential man in Dorian’s life, admitting that he believes that “it is better to be beautiful than to be good” (Wilde 186). Dorian and Lord Henry believe that Dorian’s extreme beauty and youth are his greatest assets, but in the end it is what causes his innocence to become corrupted and eventually causes his death. Oscar Wilde once said, “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” (“Dorian Gray”). Oscar Wilde, much like Dorian Gray, lived a very controversial lifestyle during the Victorian Era.…

    • 1207 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    The Importance Of Sin And Redemption In The Picture Of Dorian Gray
    • 1265 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Importance Of Sin And Redemption In The Picture Of Dorian Gray

    In the novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, sin and redemption is an occuring theme. The main character, Dorian Gray, commits plenty of sins and has the opportunities for redemption, however, when Dorian tries to atone for his wrongdoings he is unsuccessful. Dorians’ underlying intentions keeps him from redemption, due to his hedonistic views. In the beginning of the novel, Dorian is portrayed as a young and innocent boy that is easily influenced by Lord Henry, a character with a hedonistic view. Hedonism is described as the “theory of ethics in which pleasure is regarded as the chief good, or the proper end of action.”…

    • 1265 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Dorian Gray Beauty Analysis
    • 1063 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Dorian Gray Beauty Analysis

    In today’s society the idea of everlasting beauty is very prominent. This is seem through the many creams that can be used to help conceal wrinkles and make the skin smoother, however, those do not stop aging forever. In “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” by Oscar Wilde, everlasting beauty is an important aspect that leads to ultimate demise. During the Victorian era, beauty was extremely imperative. When an individual shows beauty they were considered to be very wealthy and influential people.…

    • 1063 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Great Essays

    Dorian Gray Hedonism Analysis
    • 1722 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Dorian Gray Hedonism Analysis

    At the dawn of the nineteenth century, the civilization of England mediated around a rebirth of a religious movement that was exclusive to the Puritan age. People lived their lives upon the foundations of moral behavior, where all art was a mere reflection of religion and morality. This notion persisted that art served as a reinforcement of ethics. As religion and morality pursued to restrict art to stand on its own, a group of artists revolted against Victorian beliefs; among them was Oscar Wilde. He composed a philosophical fictional novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, that serves as a contradictory model against Victorianism for the sake of art.…

    • 1722 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More

Related Topics

Ready To Get Started?
Discover
Company
Follow
©2024 Cram.com
Privacy Policy |  About Ads |  Site Map |  Advertise  | 
  • Cookie Settings