Picture of Dorian Gray Influence, Corruption and...

Influence, Corruption and Conscience in The Picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wildes novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, explores the themes of influence, corruption and conscience. â€Å"The obvious influence of Lord Henry upon Dorian shows how one may corrupt another to such an extent that ones own conscience withers and dies†(Weintraub 116). Basil Hallward, a painter, knows the corruptive influence that Lord Henry can impose upon his model, Dorian Gray. Basil does not want Lord Henry to even meet Dorian because he is afraid that Dorian will be influenced and ruined. Basil begs Henry by saying, Dont spoil him. Dont try to influence him. Your influence would be bad. The world is wide, and has many marvelous people in it.†¦show more content†¦Lord Henry believes that, Conscience and cowardice are really the same things. Conscience is the trade-name of the firm (Wilde 5). In essence, Lord Henry feels that listening to ones conscience and doing the right thing shows weakness and cowardice in a persons character. Since Wilde creates an evil character who holds these beliefs, one can imply that Wilde feels quite the opposite. Wilde must feel that having a conscience and listening to it shows strength in a persons character. Nevertheless, Lord Henry persists in corrupting Dorian. Lord Henry feels that, The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself... (Wilde 13). Lord Henry tries to persuade Dorian to believe that listening to his conscience will only bring him pain. Dorian must give into temptation if he wants to be happy. Dorian listens acutely to Henrys words. Dorian now has a justification for ignoring his conscience and acting sinfully. Slowly Henrys influence takes over Dorians conscience. Basil begins to notice this corruption in Dorians face right after Dorian meets Henry. When Basil is painting Dorian, he notices a change. Basil ...deep in his work, and conscious only that a look had come into the lads face that he had never seen there before (Wilde 13). Dorian is loosing his innocence and purity due to Henrys influence and Basil can detectShow MoreRelatedDorian Gray : Moral Responsibility Essay1350 Words   |  6 PagesIn The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde, it tells of a mans gradual downfall from innocence to corruption. Even the name of the main character in Oscar Wildes tale, Dorian Gray, is very symbolic because ‘gray is the combination of black and white, of good and evil. In many ways, Dorian Gray is the epitome of mankind. Dorian Gray, an innocent and naà ¯ve man, becomes corrupted after having one conversation with Lord Henry Wotton. 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