The Picture of Dorian Gray: Homosexuality Theme Essay Example
THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY: NOTES HOMOSEXUALITY: Dorian’s relationship between Henry and other male characters The relationship between various male characters in the novel is a demonstration of understanding the theme of the novel. Homosexuality in the novel: -The homoerotic bonds between men play a large role in structuring the novel. Lord Henry is overcome with the desire to seduce Dorian and mold him into the realization of a type. -An appreciation of youth and beauty was not only fundamental to culture but was also expressed as a physical relationship between men. New Yorker’s: How Oscar Wilde painted over “Dorian Gray” 1. “Once Dorian discovers his god-like powers, he carries out various heinous acts, including murder, but to the Victorian sensibility his most unspeakable deed would have been his corruption of a series of young men,” (Ross, 1). -Carried out by Henry’s influences of “Sibyl’s amazing tragedy,” and Dorian’s amazing youth and beauty he cherishes, he began to use horrible deeds upon Victorian society that set corruption to the male characters he encountered (this event did not happen in the novel). -Basil later told Dorian of the rumors of heinous deeds Dorian had done to corrupt all the male characters. 2. “Lord Henry, a Mephistophelian aesthete who seems to be Wilde’s mouthpiece, visits the studio of his friend Basil Hallward and becomes fascinated by a picture displayed there. / When Dorian enters, Lord Henry intellectually seduces him with a philosophy of hedonism,” (Ross, 4). -Lord Henry’s seduction became poisonous to Dorian’s mind. His seduction was because Dorian was an explicit, but beautiful young man that he, Lord Henry, could easily use to become a puppet’s target. Lord Henry may fall in love with him, but he is also using Dorian, trying to make the friend relationship as fast as possible, as close as possible. Henry’s influence with Dorian: -Although