Immortality, youth, and beauty are continually being sought out for. Mankind’s desire to achieve perfection is defined by many frivolous factors designated as important based on the current societal view. Chasing something ephemeral such as youth and beauty requires the sacrifice of one’s self in order to completely devote to the upkeep and maintenance of the ever fleeting nature of the dangerous duo. Oscar Wilde explores the appeals of a lavish and decadent lifestyle and the pleasures in the overindulgence of senses, while simultaneously undermining the glamour of the self-possessed society through multiple tragic murders that seemingly do not fit into the high society of the upper class. In his attempt to illustrate what he views as a society
…show more content…
By killing Basil, an established lover of beauty and aesthetics, Wilde points out the hypocrisy of Dorian 's actions. Dorian pursues beauty, yet he kills its creator. The author shows that in the midst of of chasing after ideals and hollow beliefs in excess, the true value of beauty is lost.The portrait, in a sense, also contains a part of Basil. The portrait acts as a moral compass for Dorian if he wishes to follow its guide, just like Basil. Sibyl’s suicide did not leave as much of a lasting impact compared to Basil’s murder. While Dorian indirectly caused her death, Dorian murdered Basil. At the start of the novel, Dorian’s grandeur lifestyle is idealized and romanticized, but prolonged exposure and practice of an all-consuming lifestyle shows itself in Dorian’s downward spiral. In comparison to the luxury of Lord Henry’s house, Dorian now seeks solace in the opium dens. He goes there in order to drown out his realization, channeling what Lord Henry has told him, “Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul,” (Wilde 33). For the first time, Dorian is actively trying to erase his mistake and expresses a form of guilt and regret. However, he realizes that it is ultimately too late for him to save his soul from its hopeless state. By making Dorian face his own actions, Wilde proves that, “aestheticism needs to be properly controlled. While the pursuit of beauty and happiness in life is always Wilde’s ideal, he also implies that the consequences of one’s actions must be thought out…” (Duggan 67). Rather than embarking on a path of acceptance and seeking forgiveness in those he has wronged, Dorian wishes to return to his innocent nature at the beginning of the novel. Even towards the end, Dorian still has characteristics that are typical of a irrationally impulsive young man rather than the mindset of an experienced
By killing Basil, an established lover of beauty and aesthetics, Wilde points out the hypocrisy of Dorian 's actions. Dorian pursues beauty, yet he kills its creator. The author shows that in the midst of of chasing after ideals and hollow beliefs in excess, the true value of beauty is lost.The portrait, in a sense, also contains a part of Basil. The portrait acts as a moral compass for Dorian if he wishes to follow its guide, just like Basil. Sibyl’s suicide did not leave as much of a lasting impact compared to Basil’s murder. While Dorian indirectly caused her death, Dorian murdered Basil. At the start of the novel, Dorian’s grandeur lifestyle is idealized and romanticized, but prolonged exposure and practice of an all-consuming lifestyle shows itself in Dorian’s downward spiral. In comparison to the luxury of Lord Henry’s house, Dorian now seeks solace in the opium dens. He goes there in order to drown out his realization, channeling what Lord Henry has told him, “Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul,” (Wilde 33). For the first time, Dorian is actively trying to erase his mistake and expresses a form of guilt and regret. However, he realizes that it is ultimately too late for him to save his soul from its hopeless state. By making Dorian face his own actions, Wilde proves that, “aestheticism needs to be properly controlled. While the pursuit of beauty and happiness in life is always Wilde’s ideal, he also implies that the consequences of one’s actions must be thought out…” (Duggan 67). Rather than embarking on a path of acceptance and seeking forgiveness in those he has wronged, Dorian wishes to return to his innocent nature at the beginning of the novel. Even towards the end, Dorian still has characteristics that are typical of a irrationally impulsive young man rather than the mindset of an experienced