Perfection In The Picture Of Dorian Gray

In Oscar Wilde’s novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, the story begins in 1890 in London, England. A painter by the name of Basil Hallward is discussing his most recent painting of the most beautiful young man, Dorian Gray who is perfectly perfect, with a good friend, Lord Henry Wotton. Finally having the opportunity to meet Dorian for himself, Wotton begins to change Dorian’s innocent view on life and completely good being. One day, Dorian Gray meets a beautiful woman by the name of Sybil Vane, who is remarkably talented at acting. They fall in love with each other and get married. After Sybil’s death, Dorian reads a strange yellow book, a French novel, and from this moment on he is a complete different man. The portrait that hangs from his wall is the only thing captivating his transformation. As Dorian does wrong to the world, the painting begins to grasp his attention, and he realizes that it is frequently becoming more hideous. Dorian hates the man he has become, but continues to blame others for his wrong doings. In Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray he suggests that perfection is an unattainable ideal.
In 1890 the concept of perfection was very much alive. People were divided by class based off money. The high class was the “perfect” class, they had all the money they could ever desire, they wore the perfect clothes, and seemed to just have a perfect life. For a woman to be considered perfect and beautiful, she had to have beautiful hair that would be up and tight. The body was drawn to be a big bust and a tiny waist. Dresses should have puffy sleeves and long bottoms. For a man to be considered perfect he had to be tall and dress very well. He had to have facial hair and be very muscular. Being perfect was what everyone wanted to be, and would do what was possible to accomplish that