The Picture Of Dorian Gray

869 Words4 Pages
Oscar Wild wrote, “Those who find ugly meaning in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. Those who find beautiful meaning in beautiful things are cultivated. For these there is hope.” Wilde means that if someone can see the beauty in life as well as the beauty in beautiful things we see there is hope for them in the word. As for the people who can only see the ugly there is no hope for them because they do not appreciate what’s in front of them. Many led to the downfall of Dorian Gray; however, the main reasons are Lord Henry’s influence, the idea of Hedonism, and Dorian’s conscience. Lord Henry’s intentions to influence Dorian are evident in chapter 1 when Basil says, “Don’t try to influence him. Your influence would be bad.” Basil knows that Lord Henry’s influence is going to be primarily negative and knows that Dorian is going to become infatuated by him. This ignites Dorian’s flame for Lord Henry; he sees this as a challenge. Later in their friendship, we start to see that Lord Henry is merely stirring thoughts that Dorian already had inside of himself and was just afraid to let them be known. Lord Henry is also the person that leads Dorian into his New Hedonistic ways. It’s relevant that Dorian becomes aware of the new Hedonism in chapter 2 when Lord Henry says, “No, you don’t feel it now…there is absolutely nothing in the world but youth!” Dorian starts to realize that he is a good-looking man and he should start to take advantage of it. Dorian Gray’s eyes become further open to the New Hedonism when Lord Henry begins to say that the only good thing to do is seek out the pleasures in life and to not live by morality. One should do what ever one thinks feels is good. Lord Henry believes this is what the Victorian people need. He thinks if society followed pleasure rather then morals everyone would be happier, wealthier, and more ideal. “He got
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