The Powerful Influence In Wilde's The Picture Of Dorian Gray

As Lord Henry and Dorian Gray's relationship develops, the reader becomes aware of Henry's powerful influence over Gray. His impact is mainly facilitated by his use of controverted epigrams when instructing Dorian on the principles of a hedonistic lifestyle. While the highly impressionable Dorian is increasingly drawn in by the teachings of Henry, the reader becomes aware of the falsehood of what Henry is saying when he tells Dorian, "The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it" (Wilde 13). This statement strikes the reader as odd since usually a person of Henry's position, in respect to Dorian, would offer advice on how to overcome temptation instead of suggesting that the best way to rid of it is to give in. Essentially his …show more content…
By yielding to a temptation, the temptation disappears and is changed into a "sin'. By taking "action" and committing a sin, there is no longer the temptation to perform the sin thus purifying the body of any urges. At this point, the reader can conclude that Wilde is, in fact, mocking temptation by making this statement. In congruence with the typical format of an epigram, although Henry's advice concerning temptation initially appears to be an intellectual statement, in actuality it would seem that Wilde did not intend it to be factual but rather a satirical comment. Yielding to temptation causes the problem of temptation to disappear, however, there is a catch as it does not mean that it cannot be a problem of sin. The inclusion of a comedic element within this statement sheds light on the superficiality of what Henry is saying about a life of sinful pleasure. This explains why when, Dorian takes full advantage of this notion and interprets it as a justification to do whatever he wants, he finds nothing but unhappiness as he is consumed with anxiety over someone discovering the ugliness of his