illustration of the upper-right corner of Dorian Gray's picture

The Picture of Dorian Gray

by Oscar Wilde

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The Picture of Dorian Gray Themes

The three main themes in The Picture of Dorian Gray are homoerotic love, the indulgence of the senses, and morality.

  • Homoerotic Love: Though the theme of homoerotic love is never stated explicitly, it may be present in Basil’s feelings for Dorian.
  • The Indulgence of the Senses: Dorian attempts to live according to the view of life presented to him by Lord Henry.
  • Morality: The novel presents at least two different ways of interpreting this theme. Since Dorian, who attempts to follow Lord Henry’s advice, ends up destroying many people’s lives, committing murder, and also corrupting his own soul, there is either something intrinsically wrong with Lord Henry’s new Hedonism, or Dorian has failed to understand it or erred in the way he has put it into practice.

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Themes: Homoerotic Love

While the theme of homoerotic love is never directly stated (and could not be, due to the societal norms of that era), it might be suggested through Basil's feelings for Dorian. Basil confides in Lord Henry that he cannot find happiness unless he sees Dorian every day. He becomes upset when Dorian announces his engagement to Sibyl. Later, Basil admits to Dorian that he idolized him from their very first encounter. He says, “I grew jealous of...

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Themes: The Indulgence of the Senses

Dorian attempts to live according to the philosophy introduced by Lord Henry. Lord Henry holds the belief that denying oneself is pointless. He advises Dorian not to be afraid of his own desires and instincts, as these are the sources of happiness and satisfaction. His guiding principle is “to cure the soul by means of the senses, and the senses by means of the soul.” To truly live, one must fully embrace each moment through sensory experiences....

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Themes: Hedonism

In The Picture of Dorian Gray, hedonism is a central theme that drives the narrative and character development. The novel explores the pursuit of pleasure without regard for morality, as embodied by Lord Henry Wotton and adopted by Dorian Gray. This "new hedonism" contrasts with traditional Epicureanism by emphasizing intense emotional experiences and sensory indulgence. The philosophy leads Dorian to a life of excess and moral decay, ultimately...

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Themes: Influence

The theme of influence is central to The Picture of Dorian Gray, exploring how external forces shape an individual's character and choices. The novel examines the impact of Lord Henry's hedonistic philosophy on the impressionable Dorian Gray, leading to his moral corruption and eventual downfall. Through the interactions between Lord Henry, Dorian, and Basil, Wilde illustrates the destructive power of influence when wielded irresponsibly.

Lord...

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Themes: Morality

In "The Picture of Dorian Gray," morality is a central theme explored through the characters and their actions. The novel examines the consequences of valuing appearance over ethics, the influence of negative forces, and the hedonistic pursuit of pleasure. Dorian Gray's transformation from innocence to moral corruption highlights the dangers of unchecked desires and external influences, ultimately leading to self-destruction.

Dorian Gray begins as...

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Expert Q&A

Discuss the Faust theme in relation to Dorian in The Picture of Dorian Gray.

The Faustian theme in The Picture of Dorian Gray is evident through Dorian's supernatural bargain for eternal youth, paralleling Faust's soul trade for knowledge and power. Like Faust, Dorian's desire for beauty leads to moral decay and eventual ruin. Both characters are bound by their choices, with Dorian's portrait bearing the consequences of his actions. Ultimately, both struggle with repentance and face tragic endings, highlighting the dangers of excessive ambition and vanity.

Discuss the theme of manipulation in The Picture of Dorian Gray.

The theme of manipulation in The Picture of Dorian Gray is central, with Lord Henry as the primary manipulator, using Dorian Gray as his experiment in "new Hedonism." Lord Henry's influence transforms Dorian into a tool of his sinister philosophy, teaching him to manipulate others. A pivotal moment of manipulation occurs when Dorian coerces Alan Campbell into disposing of Basil's body, leading to Campbell's suicide. This manipulation highlights the destructive power of influence in the novel.

What does Dorian's statement, "Each of us has heaven and hell in him," signify in "The Picture of Dorian Gray," and how does it relate to the theme of good vs evil?

Dorian's quote is saying that a person has the ability to choose to do good or bad and that person can choose which one they will take throughout their life.

Symbols, Motifs, Gothic Elements, and Themes in The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde incorporates Gothic elements like a Faustian bargain, supernatural events, and a hidden portrait reflecting Dorian's corrupted soul. The novel's themes include the dangers of valuing appearance over morality, the hedonistic pursuit of pleasure, and the influence of negative forces, particularly through Lord Henry's manipulation of Dorian. The story explores beauty, art, and indulgence, ultimately illustrating that unchecked desires and external influences can lead to self-destruction and the loss of one's soul.

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Themes: Homoerotic Love

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