Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

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                                                                          James Wright 4jrp 11.01.06

Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray      

Coursework Essay  

“Whatever my life is, he had more to do with the making or marring of it than poor Harry has had. He may not have intended it, the result was the same.”

(Dorian to Alan Campbell, chapter 14).

Consider who is most to blame for Dorian’s moral decline. Make close reference to two or three key episodes in your answer.

The Novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray” is a tale of meddling with the devil and a pursuit for pleasure to satisfy one’s own needs. The downfall of Dorian Gray is the main occurrence during the novel which is the most intriguing of all.

The first time Dorian Gray is introduced to the reader is by Basil Hallward admiring him, whilst chatting with Lord Henry or Harry. Basil presents Dorian as a beautiful, caring, charitable and loving creature with extreme popularity. Dorian Gray is a charming young man from Basil’s perspective. In this first chapter Basil says he admires Dorian Gray like he is one of his prized possessions. “Dorian Gray is my dearest friend…. He has a simple and a beautiful nature”. Basil thinks Dorian is of a caring nature. Dorian appears to be human capable of no harm.  

The first time Dorian Gray meets Lord Henry is at Basil’s residence. As they are conversing Lord Henry says “There is no such thing as influence, Mr Gray. All influence is immoral-immoral from the scientific point of view.” These words shocked Dorian in such that he felt his body tremble as the information was being processed and calculated. Whilst talking to Lord Henry Dorian Gray wishes that his painting could grow old forever and that he could have eternal beauty and life. “How sad it is! I shall grow old, and horrible, and dreadful. But this picture will remain always young. It will never be older than this particular day of June. If it were only the other way! If it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! For that – for that I would give everything! Yes, there is nothing in the whole word I would not give! I would give my soul for that!”

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This was the start of the moral decline of Dorian Gray. He offered his soul to the devil in a Faustian pact. Lord Henry has a considerable amount of help in the downfall of Dorian Gray. Lord Henry has found never used devices in Dorian Grays brain and is teasing them with suggestions. Dorian and Lord Henry meet frequently after their first consultation. He goes on to persuade him not to do his usual charitable events and instead live life to the full. He introduces him to new ways of living, ways that provide one with pleasure. “I will ...

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