The Picture of Dorian Gray
What role does art play in The Picture of Dorian Gray? What are each of the three main characters' attitudes towards art? How do they think art functions in society?
The role of art in The Picture of Dorian Gray is that of romance. It brings a romantic sensation into an otherwise dark tale about a young man, Dorian Gray. His portrait was painted so perfectly, it mesmerized him into a love hate relationship not only with himself, but with the artist, Basil Hallward and with his closest friend, Lord Henry Wotton. Although these men were affected by art in different ways, each romanticized about it, essentially about Dorian Gray.
Dorian Gray was a young man. He was found to be the most attractive young man around by males and females alike. Everyone within his social circle wanted to be enchanted by this Prince Charming. Although the person most enchanted by him, was Dorian himself. He was only a young man with good looks until he met the artist, Basil Hallward. He became a young man with an attitude, after he sat for the artist. A portrait painting like no other came from that sitting. It introduced a new type of arrogance to the young man. During the time he sat for Basil, he was introduced to Lord Henry Wotton. Lord Henry was compelled to induce this new arrogant behavior. The three men had a triangle of romance with the new piece of art right in the middle.
Dorian relied on that painting. It kept him young, literally. The more Dorian observed himself within the painting, the more power it had over him. He viewed this art, this magical piece, as his lifeline. The painting taking away all the pain, sorrow, blood and age that life would normally introduce to a man. He remained perfect and the painting was forever flawed. With this new found perfection, he expected perfection from all except Henry. Henry had a hold on Dorian. He influenced him as much as the art did. It was because Henry had a different view on how one should live, "Because to influence a person
The role of art in The Picture of Dorian Gray is that of romance. It brings a romantic sensation into an otherwise dark tale about a young man, Dorian Gray. His portrait was painted so perfectly, it mesmerized him into a love hate relationship not only with himself, but with the artist, Basil Hallward and with his closest friend, Lord Henry Wotton. Although these men were affected by art in different ways, each romanticized about it, essentially about Dorian Gray.
Dorian Gray was a young man. He was found to be the most attractive young man around by males and females alike. Everyone within his social circle wanted to be enchanted by this Prince Charming. Although the person most enchanted by him, was Dorian himself. He was only a young man with good looks until he met the artist, Basil Hallward. He became a young man with an attitude, after he sat for the artist. A portrait painting like no other came from that sitting. It introduced a new type of arrogance to the young man. During the time he sat for Basil, he was introduced to Lord Henry Wotton. Lord Henry was compelled to induce this new arrogant behavior. The three men had a triangle of romance with the new piece of art right in the middle.
Dorian relied on that painting. It kept him young, literally. The more Dorian observed himself within the painting, the more power it had over him. He viewed this art, this magical piece, as his lifeline. The painting taking away all the pain, sorrow, blood and age that life would normally introduce to a man. He remained perfect and the painting was forever flawed. With this new found perfection, he expected perfection from all except Henry. Henry had a hold on Dorian. He influenced him as much as the art did. It was because Henry had a different view on how one should live, "Because to influence a person