Succumbing to the Influence of Others by Richa Bisht
Since the
moment Lord Henry and Dorian meet, the nobleman’s articulate speech has a
profound effect on the naïve young man’s mind. Henry’s strange words seem to
breathe renewed vigor into Dorian’s life: “The few words that Basil’s friend
had said to him… had touched some secret chord that had never been touched
before, but that he felt was now vibrating and throbbing to curious pulses”
(14). Over the course of a single conversation, Henry manages to evoke a deep
appreciation of youth and beauty within Dorian’s heart.
After observing the immense influence Dorian has on Basil, Henry flirts with the idea of reigning over Dorian in a similar fashion: “To hear one’s own intellectual views echoed back to one with all the added music of passion and youth… there was a real joy in that” (26). Ultimately, Henry resolves to mold Dorian into an ideal human being, stating that “He would seek to dominate [Dorian]… He would make that wonderful spirit his own” (27). The easily-impressionable Dorian eagerly adopts each of Henry’s beliefs regarding life, love, and beauty. Consequently, Dorian transforms from being an innocent boy to a horribly depraved man while his soul deteriorates with each passing day. The list of Dorian’s debaucheries increase at an alarming pace, yet Lord Henry remains largely unaffected by Dorian’s plight. By the time he realizes the extent of the damage he has inflicted upon others and his own soul, Dorian is unable to reverse his wayward course.
In addition, Dorian becomes obsessed with a novel that Lord Henry gives Dorian, a yellow book that details the outrageous experiences of a self-indulging Parisian in the nineteenth century. Within the pages of the book, Dorian sees the reflection of his own life: “And, indeed, the whole book seemed to him to contain the story of his own life, written before he had lived it” (93). Dorian attempts to follow the lifestyle of the protagonist by giving substance to his every whim without caring for the consequences. He fuels his vanity by reveling in the fact that he will remain eternally young while the Parisian will be forced to watch his beauty fade. As a result, Lord Henry’s compelling principles and the yellow book’s strange story bring about the degradation of Dorian’s soul and contribute to his demise.
Meanwhile, Basil, who considers Dorian to be the epitome of beauty, is blinded by his adoration for the young man and easily submits to Dorian’s every wish. Despite fact that Dorian’s soul has deteriorated beyond repair, Basil’s love for his friend keeps him from recognizing Dorian for what he truly his: a monster. The artist is ultimately murdered by none other than Dorian himself. In the course of his life, Dorian’s corrupt and immoral ways poison the lives of those around him. People such as Adrian Singleton and Lady Gwendolyn eventually gain tarnished reputations following their association with Dorian, who denies all allegations that imply he is responsible for their sullied name. Sibyl Vane and Alan Campbell die in the novel as a direct result of Dorian’s actions, demonstrating the strong influence he held over them. Their utter devotion for Dorian eventually results in their downfall.
After observing the immense influence Dorian has on Basil, Henry flirts with the idea of reigning over Dorian in a similar fashion: “To hear one’s own intellectual views echoed back to one with all the added music of passion and youth… there was a real joy in that” (26). Ultimately, Henry resolves to mold Dorian into an ideal human being, stating that “He would seek to dominate [Dorian]… He would make that wonderful spirit his own” (27). The easily-impressionable Dorian eagerly adopts each of Henry’s beliefs regarding life, love, and beauty. Consequently, Dorian transforms from being an innocent boy to a horribly depraved man while his soul deteriorates with each passing day. The list of Dorian’s debaucheries increase at an alarming pace, yet Lord Henry remains largely unaffected by Dorian’s plight. By the time he realizes the extent of the damage he has inflicted upon others and his own soul, Dorian is unable to reverse his wayward course.
In addition, Dorian becomes obsessed with a novel that Lord Henry gives Dorian, a yellow book that details the outrageous experiences of a self-indulging Parisian in the nineteenth century. Within the pages of the book, Dorian sees the reflection of his own life: “And, indeed, the whole book seemed to him to contain the story of his own life, written before he had lived it” (93). Dorian attempts to follow the lifestyle of the protagonist by giving substance to his every whim without caring for the consequences. He fuels his vanity by reveling in the fact that he will remain eternally young while the Parisian will be forced to watch his beauty fade. As a result, Lord Henry’s compelling principles and the yellow book’s strange story bring about the degradation of Dorian’s soul and contribute to his demise.
Meanwhile, Basil, who considers Dorian to be the epitome of beauty, is blinded by his adoration for the young man and easily submits to Dorian’s every wish. Despite fact that Dorian’s soul has deteriorated beyond repair, Basil’s love for his friend keeps him from recognizing Dorian for what he truly his: a monster. The artist is ultimately murdered by none other than Dorian himself. In the course of his life, Dorian’s corrupt and immoral ways poison the lives of those around him. People such as Adrian Singleton and Lady Gwendolyn eventually gain tarnished reputations following their association with Dorian, who denies all allegations that imply he is responsible for their sullied name. Sibyl Vane and Alan Campbell die in the novel as a direct result of Dorian’s actions, demonstrating the strong influence he held over them. Their utter devotion for Dorian eventually results in their downfall.