The Growth and Change in Character: The Picture of Dorian Gray
Throughout life, each person becomes a product of their actions, decisions, and choices, which are often influenced by members of society or societal norms; it molds their character and defines their personality. Many times these actions can cause breakthroughs in one’s life, however other times it can compromise ones reputation and level of respect in society’s social hierarchy. The author, Oscar Wilde, in his classical novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, conveys the explicit message about the importance of meaningful influence on one’s character and the vital implication of recognizing the difference between what is beneficial and detrimental in life. For instance, one might argue …show more content…
Thus, over the course of the book, one can witness how depraved influence, as well as a lack of realization and poor judgment can affect the development of characters personality and change their course in life.
In the novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian is introduced as a person who encompasses the likeness of a child: pure in mind, rich in beauty, and the optimum reflection of innocence, who undergoes a transformation that shifts his views and comes to realize the expense of his youthfulness. Dorian develops by the means of coming under the influence of Lord Henry’s ideals and the vanity of his portrait. Dorian is strangely moved by the allure of the Hellenic ideal, of ‘give(ing) form to every feeling’ and yielding to temptation, which contradicts the valued Victorian morals of restraint and purity. The following quote clearly expresses the beginning of his transforming views and sudden realization of a world other than the one society implies the citizens to abide by: “He was dimly conscious that entirely fresh influences were at work within him. {…}, Words… with willful paradox in them – had touched some secret chord that had never
Throughout life, each person becomes a product of their actions, decisions, and choices, which are often influenced by members of society or societal norms; it molds their character and defines their personality. Many times these actions can cause breakthroughs in one’s life, however other times it can compromise ones reputation and level of respect in society’s social hierarchy. The author, Oscar Wilde, in his classical novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, conveys the explicit message about the importance of meaningful influence on one’s character and the vital implication of recognizing the difference between what is beneficial and detrimental in life. For instance, one might argue …show more content…
Thus, over the course of the book, one can witness how depraved influence, as well as a lack of realization and poor judgment can affect the development of characters personality and change their course in life.
In the novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian is introduced as a person who encompasses the likeness of a child: pure in mind, rich in beauty, and the optimum reflection of innocence, who undergoes a transformation that shifts his views and comes to realize the expense of his youthfulness. Dorian develops by the means of coming under the influence of Lord Henry’s ideals and the vanity of his portrait. Dorian is strangely moved by the allure of the Hellenic ideal, of ‘give(ing) form to every feeling’ and yielding to temptation, which contradicts the valued Victorian morals of restraint and purity. The following quote clearly expresses the beginning of his transforming views and sudden realization of a world other than the one society implies the citizens to abide by: “He was dimly conscious that entirely fresh influences were at work within him. {…}, Words… with willful paradox in them – had touched some secret chord that had never