The Picture of Dorian Gray

Oscar Wilde once said, “Man is least himself when he talks in his own person, give him a mask and he will speak the truth”. Masks reveal one’s self through a different form with the use of different features. Masks have been used widely used through various cultures to hide one’s identity, disguise, or used in (religious) rituals. They can symbolize certain dominant traits, features, ancestry, or imagination. The Majlion (ماجليون), a elegantly made mask, is of fundamental importance to its…

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…

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…

The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian Gray is a face that is both literally and figuratively untouched by external forces. His own ideas about society, morality, youth, beauty are barely formed. They exist as soft and malleable globs of clay that do not yet have any tangible substance or definitive shape. Consequently, throughout the entirety of Wilde’s novel, Gray is molded by the myriad of internal and external forces that bombard a person throughout their lives. By the end of the book, Dorian…

Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray is a unique piece of literature. Set in late 19th century London, the novel centers around Dorian Gray and his friends- Lord Henry Wotton and Basil Hallward. Lord Henry and Basil Hallward share a close relationship with Dorian Gray, having great influence on his development. Both Lord Henry and Basil have completely different values and beliefs. Basil believes in the goodness of mankind and values art to the highest degree. Lord Henry cares little…

disappointed me.” After his decision, Dorian believes he made an awful mistake, and he must keep the promise of marrying Sibyl. Wilde uses imagery to convey his feelings, “The birds that were singing in the dew drenched garden seemed to be telling the flowers about her.” Dorian’s young and gullible views on life have been altered by Lord Henry as depicted after Dorian learns of Sibyl’s death; Dorian is unaffected due to the influence Lord Henry has on him, “Dorian, you mustn’t let this thing get…

The Picture of Dorian Gray Writing Assignment 1. Analysis of an Important Character Lord Henry Wotton plays a major role in the development of Dorian Gray’s character. Even before the two main characters’ first meeting, Lord Henry is already known for having a “very bad influence over all of his friends...”, in the words of Basil Hallward (pg 19). Lord Henry opens a door to a new, dark world for Dorian, causing him to become obsessed with youthfulness and appearance. Dorian becomes enchanted…

The Picture of Dorian Gray written by Oscar Wilde contains many characters with flaws. Dorian Gray, who is the main character, shows his character flaws throughout the book. At the beginning of the book, Dorian was innocent and kind young man. However, the reader soon figures out that he is a person that actually like bad things and gives up easily. Because of these two character flaws, Dorian sadly dies at the end of the book. First of all, throughout the book, Dorian seems to look like a kind…

Dorian Gray Master Theme Paper The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is about three men--Lord Henry, Basil Hallward, and a younger man named Dorian--who all have either hedonistic views or depleasuristic views on life. Lord Henry influences Dorian to be hedonistic and only care about beauty and aesthetic pleasure, buthowever Dorian takes it to the extreme and becomes completely enveloped in beauty. Throughout the novel, these two hedonistic men idolize beauty, but as they idolize it, they…

youth, Dorian rids of the good inside of himself. As the story progresses, it is clear that wickedness actually lies within him. From the moment he made that wish upon the portrait he began to crumble. Even once he reached his epiphany and saw his malicious ways through the portrait, he simply denied seeing it and continued his destructive deeds. Throughout the novel, you can tell that Dorian is very naïve and is very easily influenced. Even though it is seen that the painting drove Dorian…