What Is The Influence In The Picture Of Dorian Gray

In our modern society, the evolution of human behaviour is present within every individual. As a naive and inexperienced juvenile, one develops into a certain type of person over a period of time through the influence of their close ones. As depicted in The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde demonstrates the many undesired effects when exposed to influential individuals. With the introduction of external negative influences, Dorian Gray becomes a tainted man within the norms of not only a Victorian, but also a modern society, producing a corrupted life of duplicity, betrayal and artificiality. Originally symbolizing a character of purity and untouched innocence, Dorian is soon to be molded by Lord Henry, Basil Hallward, the philosophy of aestheticism
As the creator of the portrait, both Basil's character and his work truly represents the state of Dorian's soul. Basil is the only individual who can entirely capture Dorian's originally immaculate "harmony of the soul and body" onto a medium (33). Unlike the tyrannical Lord Henry, Basil's friendship influenced Dorian to be a kind and benevolent, yet oblivious character. Ironically, the day Basil finished his impeccably beautiful portrait was the peak of both Dorian's innocence and goodness and their friendship. Even though Dorian's affection for Basil disintegrated along with his ethics, Basil loyally remains as the only individual who genuinely cares for Dorian's well-being. As the moral center of the novel, not only does Basil attempt to prevent the introduction of Lord Henry and his corrupted influence, but the artist also tries to morally reform his idol. In his attempt, Basil informs Dorian the reality of how all of London believes that he is cruel and immoral due to his his single-handed corruption of over a dozen influential individuals. Yet Basil's advice " had not influenced [Dorian's] nature." (49), causing Dorian to become increasingly annoyed with his loyal companion. In consequence, Gray has truly evolved into an insensitive and artificial character, where reality is only seen through his portrait and not the accurate truth of others. As a result, Basil's own artistic and romantic idol, Dorian, loses his temper, sanity and morality, betraying him with murder. Presumptuously, Dorian is vainly "aware of Basil's double life... existed alongside a ... world of homoeroticism" (Nils, Clausson), seducing him to visit his contorted portrait. As a shrewd manipulator portraying a duplicate appearance, Dorian shamelessly would much rather eliminate a loyal friend