Dorian Gray Individualism

“The aim of life is self-development. To realize one’s own nature perfectly - that is what each of us is here for” (Wilde 20). This statement sets an ironic tone for Oscar Wilde’s novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. In the beginning of the novel, Dorian Gray’s mind is a blank slate. However, as the novel progresses, it is made apparent that he is constantly undergoing self-development as he is influenced by the ideas of morality that surround him; Basil Hallward represents the soul-fulfilling goodness he should seek, and Lord Henry Wotton represents the sinful life he desires. Through Lord Henry’s views of radical individualism and the beauty of his own portrait, Dorian Gray’s impressionable attitude develops into complete heartlessness as he
“Basil and Henry represent the opposite forces of good and evil, in a way they fight over Dorian’s soul. Dorian represents a man who struggles to live his life surrounded by temptation” (Magnúsdóttir 12). In the beginning of the novel, Basil makes clear the personality and intentions of Lord Henry when he states, “Don’t pay attention to what Lord Henry says. He has a very bad influence over all of his friends, with the single exception of myself” (Wilde 19). This proves the distinct difference between Basil and Lord Henry’s characters. Basil tries to keep Dorian’s soul pure while Henry wants to corrupt his soul and make Dorian like himself. Ultimately, Henry wins this “fight over Dorian’s soul” as his manipulative nature allows him to get inside Dorian’s mind and influence him to think that a life of corruption offers more beautiful possibilities than a life of purity. Consequently, Henry convinces Dorian that youth and beauty are the most important part of life when he states, “We denigrate into hideous puppets, haunted by the memory of the passions of which we were too much afraid, and the exquisite temptations that we had not the courage to yield to. Youth! Youth! There is
Almost immediately after seeing its beauty, Dorian seems to be changed. He frets about how dreadful it will be when he grows old as the painting keeps its mocking, youthful image. Therefore, he sells his soul to keep the beautiful appearance of the portrait. Immediately after he loses his soul, Dorian shows signs of his developing cruel nature by criticizing his good friend Basil. It is noted that, “The painter stared in amazement. It was so unlike Dorian to speak like that. What had happened?” (Wilde 28). This marks the beginning of Dorian’s alteration as he begins losing his conscience and his soul. Furthermore, though Dorian never shows the ugliness of his sins, it is made apparent through the painting that it is impossible for him to sin without consequence. His obsessive interest in the distortion of his soul ultimately develops into a deep guilt as he becomes haunted by his murder of Basil Hallward. After slightly confessing his crime to Lord Henry, Henry quotes a verse from the Bible stating, “What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (Wilde 220). This statement is quite ironic, for Henry knows nothing about Dorian’s bargain with the Devil, nor is he a religious man, though the quote seems to describe Dorian’s situation perfectly. After losing his soul, morality is not a concern for Dorian as