The Transformation of Eternal Youth and Beauty

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Every story has a protagonist and antagonist; however in The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian Gray plays both roles. As the novel revolves around his actions as the fascinating idol, his role quickly turns as he becomes the antagonist. The role of Lord Henry significantly affects Dorian, but it is Dorian who allows himself to be influenced by Lord Henry’s persuasive words. Oscar Wilde showcases Dorian Gray as the cause to his own transformation from a carefree to self absorbed young man as he allows himself to be influenced by Lord Henry on the importance of eternal youth and beauty resulting in his unchangeable, evil soul. Dorian Gray is introduced as an inspiring sitter for Basil Hallward, who finds Dorian’s “personality was so fascinating that, if I allowed it to do so, it would absorb my whole nature...” (Wilde 8). Dorian is the archetype of a beautiful, care free young man who takes his natural beauty for granted, until he meets Lord Henry. After Lord Henry declares to Dorian “some day, when you are old and wrinkled and ugly, when thought has seared your forehead with its lines… you will feel terribly” (24), the transformation of Dorian’s soul begins. Dorian Gray quickly turns into a vain young man who curses his soul in order to live without the physical burdens of his appearance. Dorian now believes “beauty is a form of Genius- is higher, indeed, than Genius, as needs no explanation” and allows himself to be influenced by Lord Henry’s charming words and brilliant intellect (24). Dorian, longing to stay as beautiful as the painting Basil has created of him, becomes “jealous of everything whose beauty does not die. I am jealous of the portrait you have painted of me. Why should it keep what I must lose?” (29). He becomes locked into his current young, gorgeous appearance, in the mist of his losing his beautiful soul. Dorian’s superficial and conceited nature

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