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What is the definition of a monster? Is it a slimey creature that hides in the closets of children, or perhaps creature with teeth sharper than steak knives? Nearly infinite definitions exist, but The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley help to paint a clear picture of what a monster actually is. Frankenstein and Lord Henry are used to show that a true monster is someone that ruins the lives others either through negligence or subtle manipulations. At first…

struggles with vice and challenge to his authority are exposed by his double, and Dorian Gray’s challenges with vanity and self-indulgence are exposed by his. Through this motif, the reader is shown how the characters’ of “William Wilson” and The Picture of Dorian Gray attempt to understand and resolve the conflict between one’s internal ideal and less ideal…

Both Dorian Gray and the Narrator of Fight Club when introduced do not have very strong personalities even though they are considered main characters. Dorian Gray is a young, high class individual who follows England laws and is seen as a very innocent and morally good individual until he realizes he is beautiful. The Narrator of Fight Club is a middle class, law abiding citizen who realizes his life is very dull and desires for a different life altogether. Both characters make a form of wish…

influences. Patrick Duggan once wrote, "Dorian lives according to what Lord Henry professes without hesitation, and how Lord Henry inspires Dorian." Duggan explains how Dorian Gray values Lord Henry's philosophy over anything else. In the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde analyzes the power of negative influences through the impact that Lord Henry's philosophy had on Dorian Gray, how Dorian Gray's character drastically changed over time, and how this negativity affected Dorian Gray's…

Sinning Isn’t Winning The Picture of Dorian Gray: A novel that shows the drastic influence of a sinful person on a youthful, loving individual. Dorian Gray starts out as a young and innocent character, but over time, with the influential push of Lord Henry Wotton, develops an ugly soul with a still-youthful face. Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde was born in Dublin, Ireland on October 16, 1854. He wrote many fairy tales along with other works. Some of these include The Soul of Man, Lady…

In “The Painter of Modern Life,” Charles Baudelaire gives his definition and explanation about the true beauty of art. In the first section “Beauty, Fashion, and Happiness,” Baudelaire shows his concern about the “present” in the painting because he thought that the beauty of the art is “its essential quality of being present” (p.1). In the following passage, Baudelaire uses a lot of words to praise a man named as “Monsieur G” in the essay. He describes Monsieur G, just like the title of this…

"All art is quite useless"(Wilde, XVI) is the phrase Wilde concludes his preface with. The preface, which was added after The Picture of Dorian Gray received severe backlash, condemns the over-analyzation of art. Society was not ready for the aestheticism lifestyle and scandalous behaviours that were glorified in the novel, and they criticized Wilde for his radical ideas and degenerate characters. Wilde felt that it was preposterous that people were offended by art, as its sole purpose is to…

Edmond Dantès, the protagonist, is the epiphany of innocence during a time of immense turmoil. His journey from a freeman and soon-to-be husband into a prison of the state then into one of the most powerful men in Paris. This shows the jealousy and cruelty of humans while also establishing the gay youth of Edmond. He is betrayed by those whom he was meant to trust the most and painted into a Bonapartist. Still though, he dreams of the days he wishes to spend with his love. He still has hopes…

mind is distorted and their ideals shift. Weaker minded individuals are easily distorted and their psyches are warped by external influences which can be other people, society or oneself. This message is reiterated many times within the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray written by…

Born with the ability to write, Oscar Wilde was a notable man within theatre. Though a playwright, he was also a poet, essayist, and novelist. Furthermore, his work has left its mark within theatre due to the fact that he presented modern day ideas. During his lifetime, this was a newly introduced topic. His plays have additionally come to be loved, and others have been less revered (Hanson, 2012). Though he was unique, Wilde learned to believe in himself, “Whenever people agree with me, I…