Symbolism In The Picture Of Dorian Grey

Society Corrupting Everyday People in The Picture of Dorian Grey Corruption: Perversion of integrity. Oscar Wilde tries throughout his novel The Picture of Dorain Grey to warn people about the corruption society is capable of. Oscar Wilde had experienced torment and brutality during his lifetime, due to the outcomes of people’s opinions of his work. It was thought that his novel was used as a way to “manipulate and corrupt young men with whom he had past history with,” (Watkin). This court trial had a forever impact on Oscar’s life and he warns people of society through his pieces of literature. The major criticisms of this book come from the theme. Many readers think it is Oscar trying to give away his sexuality but it is seen that The Picture of Dorian Grey is his way of warning citizens around the world. Oscar Wilde incorporates strong symbolism, metaphors, and foreshadowing to develop the thematic idea that …show more content…
Without foreshadowing in this novel Oscar Wilde would never be able to get across the main problems and relations going on within the text. One of the most important uses of foreshadowing is within Sibyl’s depiction of Juliet in Shakespeare’s most well known tragedy Romeo and Juliet. Later in the novel readers figure out that this foreshows the inevitable disaster that befalls her and Dorian’s relationship. Oscar Wilde intently uses this to show people reading his novel that society has its ups and downs and it can break relationships apart, he uses the play as an example to show this. A vital part in the novel is depicted in the following quote: “That shall be given to you upstairs. I could not give it here. You will not have to read long,” (Wilde). This quote illustrates that Dorian Grey has a trick for Basil and foreshadows the fear that is about to rise. Without the great use of foreshadowing the meanings within the novel would not hold the same