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77 The Picture of Dorian Gray Essay Topics & Examples

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Relationships Between Dorian Gray, Lord Henry, and Basil Hallward
Dorian Gray and His Downfall
Youth and Beauty in Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray
Why Picture of Dorian Gray Is in the Canon?
Dorian Gray’s and Oscar Wilde’s Connection
Oscar Wilde’s “The Portrait of Dorian Gray”: The Problem of Deep-Rooted Evil At the outset, Dorian is the model of perfection of male youth and handsomeness. Dorian is totally taken in by Wotton’s glib flattery along with his fascinating theories, and begins developing a paranoia about youth, […]
Immorality in “The Portrait of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde The issue of immortality as portrayed in the novel ‘The Portrait of Dorian Gray’ is one of the main themes, which the novel unveils throughout its plot.
Aesthetics in Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” The story, as a monument to aestheticism, however, is supportive of the idea of individuality and shows not the Victorian disciplining of evil, but the aesthetic punishment of likelihood.
Characters in Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” Wilde uses the character of Dorian as a symbol of his ideas regarding the interaction of art and ethics. In it, assertions are made as to the inability of moral judgments to be made on […]
LGBT Literature: “The Picture of Dorian Gray” The chosen book is Oscar Wilde’s 1891 classic: The Picture of Dorian Gray; a story carefully fashioned to affirm the tilt youths have toward beauty, and the extent most could go to retain that unique […]
“The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde: Dorian’s Life Philosophy and Double Life Answering the question why Dorian Gray was motivated to adopt his life philosophy and to lead a double life it is possible to look at the facts.
“The Picture of Dorian Gray”: The Question of Love in the Novel It turns out that the only pure love Dorian experiences is love to art, not to a woman. Dorian is deprived of the ability to love a woman.

The following tips can help you decide on the best topic:

Make sure you’re following the instructions. Your writing assignment may have a set of guidelines regarding the essay’s format and the research area.
Choose the topic you find interesting. Writing an essay about things that are boring for you would be a dreadful task. Pick an exciting topic instead, and enjoy the process!
Make the topic up-to-date. The Picture of Dorian Gray contains plenty of relevant aspects you can look into.

The following areas of research related to can serve as an inspiration for you:

Novel’s themes. You can discuss the themes of beauty, art, morality, and gender in your essay.
Characters. Analyze any character of your choice and make sure to talk about their relationships.
Adaptations of the novel. Discuss the role of The Picture of Dorian Gray in culture, including movies and plays.
Reactions from the public. Discuss how people reacted to the book’s first publication. You can also write about its censorship and various versions published over the years.
The Importance of Being Bored: The Dividends of Ennui in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Falling Under the Influence: “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Genesis Allegory and Christian Symbolism in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Obsession, Destruction, and Control: A Film vs. Novel Comparison of “Whiplash” and “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Oscar Wilde, the Science of Heredity, and “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Free Reality and Its Metaphors in “Against Nature” and “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Murder and Mental Breakdown in “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Homoeroticism and Sexual Oppression in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Culture and Corruption: Paterian Self-Development Versus Gothic Degeneration in Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
The Reader’s Sympathy for Dorian From Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Homosexual Desire and the Effacement of the Self in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
The Immorality Skills: The Fate of Characters and Ethics in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Wilde
Dorian’s Progression Towards Morality and Responsibility in Oscar Wilde’s Novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Vampirism and the Bible in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Morality and the Role of the Moral Scale in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde
Aestheticism, Homoeroticism, and Christian Guilt in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Oscar Wilde’s Aesthetic Gothic: Walter Pater, Dark Enlightenment, and “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Protestant Gothic: Understanding Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Love, Marriage, and Women in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde
The Conflict Between Aestheticism and Morality in Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Artists and Their Muses in Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” and Woolf’s “To the Lighthouse”
Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”: Presentation of Women in the Opening Chapters
The Impossible Synthesis Between Hellenism and Hebraism in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
“The Picture of Dorian Gray”: Wilde’s Parable of the Fall
Aestheticism and Social Anxiety in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
A Tragedy of the Artist: “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
The Power and Influence of Art in Oscar Wilde’s Work “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
The Link Between Ethics and Aesthetics in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Obsession With Physical Appearance in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde
The Theme of Materialism in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Stoker’s “Dracula,” Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” and O’Brien’s “At Swim-Two-Birds”: In-Depth Critical Analysis
The Relationship Between Beauty and Morality in Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Figurative Language and Literary Devices Used in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
The Corruption Between the Characters in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
The Different Gothic Elements in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Understanding the Secretive Life of Characters in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
How Does Oscar Wilde Explore Self-Love in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
Themes, Motifs, and Symbols in Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
The Fall From Innocence Dorian in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Hard Science, Soft Psychology, and Amorphous Art in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”

What Is the Main Lesson of Dorian Gray?

In one of the letters, Wilde opened up about his novel’s true main lesson. According to him, it teaches us about the importance of balance. The author says that any excess is dangerous and that being overly obsessed or neglectful has consequences, which is shown through Dorian Gray being consumed by his desires.

What Is the Theme of the Dorian Gray?

The Picture of Dorian Gray highlights several significant themes, including beauty, youth, morality, and art. Moreover, they are all interconnected. According to the author, the main purpose of art is to bring beauty into the world. The novel reflects this message.

What Is the Significance of the Title The Picture of Dorian Gray?

The title of Wilde’s book refers to two pictures—the actual painting of Dorian Gray and the metaphorical one. The latter is the appearance of Dorian’s true self. The author helps the reader “picture” the character’s traits. He shows how corrupted Dorian’s soul is, which is also reflected in the painting.

What Are the Key Concepts of The Picture of Dorian Gray?

The main aspects of the novel are related to art and morality. The author starts a discussion about the purpose and power of art. Moreover, Wilde wants the readers to contemplate the concepts of beauty and vanity by showing Dorian Gray’s obsession with youth.

What Does the Character Dorian Gray Symbolize?

Some interpretations state that the characters of The Picture of Dorian Gray represent various sides of the author’s personality. Dorian Gray may reflect the person the author was hoping to become. The relationship dynamics of the main character also reflect Oscar Wilde’s real-life struggles.

How Does the Preface of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” Relate to the Story?
What Is Henry’s Occupation in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
Does “The Picture of Dorian Gray” Allude to “Oedipus Rex”?
Who Illustrated “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
How Old Is Basil in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
What Do Dorian and Lord Henry Have in Common in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
What Do Trees Symbolize in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
What Era Is “The Picture of Dorian Gray” Set in?
What Is the Role of Innocence in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
Who Is David Stone in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
How Does Dorian Gray Die in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
What Was the Main Character in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” Accused of?
What Is “The Picture of Dorian Gray” Tragic Flaw?
What Type of Story Is “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
Why Is “The Picture of Dorian Gray” So Famous?
Was the Hero in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” a Narcissist?
What Sins Are Committed in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
Does Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” Challenge the Values of the Aestheticism Movement?
Who Is the Real Villain in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
Is “The Picture of Dorian Gray” Sexist?
Is the Hero of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” a Psychopath?
Why Is “The Picture of Dorian Gray” a Gothic Novel?
What Is the Moral Lesson of “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
What Is the Irony in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
Does “The Picture of Dorian Gray” Have a Happy Ending?
Dracula Ideas
Frankenstein Research Topics
Surrealism Research Topics
One Hundred Years of Solitude Titles
Language Arts Research Topics
Edgar Allan Poe Paper Topics
Charles Dickens Topics
Satire Essay Ideas
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

By oscar wilde, the picture of dorian gray themes, art as a mirror.

This theme is exemplified by the titular portrait. Dorian Gray 's image reflects his conscience and his true self, and serves as a mirror of his soul. This fact echoes Wilde's statement (found in the preface) that "It is the spectator...that art really mirrors." However, this theme first appears earlier in the preface, with Wilde's contention that "the nineteenth-century dislike of realism is the rage of Caliban seeing his own face in a glass." Realism is a genre of artistic expression that is said to have shown the 19th century its own reflection. The fear that Dorian expresses when viewing the painting, and the emotions that he seeks to escape through sin, drug addiction, and even murder, might be considered an expression of his rage at laying eyes upon his true self. The idea of reflectivity also recalls a major mythical influence on the novel: the story of Narcissus. Dorian, like Narcissus, falls in love with his own image, and is ultimately destroyed by it.

The Art of Living (or Living through Art)

This theme is expressed most prominently in the character of Lord Henry, and in the "new hedonism" he espouses. Lord Henry openly approaches life as an art form, seeking to sculpt Dorian's personality, and treating even his most casual speeches as dramatic performances. Most notably, he pursues new sensations and impressions of beauty with the amorality of an artist: as Wilde writes in the preface, "No artist has ethical sympathies." This latter characteristic is the one that leaves the deepest impression on Dorian's character. However, although both men fancy themselves artists at living, their flaw lies in their blatant violation of the rule given in the first line of the preface: "To reveal art and conceal the artist is art's aim." Dorian and Lord Henry both strive to reveal themselves in their "art."

Wilde also explores this theme by blurring the line between life and art. Characters in the novel include actresses who live as though they are constantly on stage, and a painter who values a friendship predominantly because the relationship improves his ability to paint. Dorian himself consciously bases his life and actions on a work of art: a book given to him by Lord Henry.

Vanity as Original Sin

Dorian's physical beauty is his most cherished attribute, and vanity is, as a consequence, his most crippling vice. Once a sense of the preciousness of his own beauty has been instilled in him by Lord Henry, all of Dorian's actions, from his wish for undying youth at the beginning of the novel to his desperate attempt to destroy the portrait at the end, are motivated by vanity. Even his attempts at altruism are driven by a desire to improve the appearance of his soul. Throughout the novel, vanity haunts Dorian, seeming to damn his actions before he even commits them; vanity is his original sin. Dorian's fall from grace, then, is the consequence of his decision to embrace vanity - and indeed, all new and pleasurable feelings - as a virtue, at the behest of Lord Henry, his corrupter. In the preface to the novel, Wilde invites us to ponder the inescapability of vanity in our own relationship to art when he states that "it is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors." If we see ourselves in art, and find art to be beautiful, then it follows that we, like Dorian, are in fact admiring our own beauty.

The Duplicity of One's Public and Private Selves

This theme is prominent in much of Wilde's work. It plays a central role in The Importace of Being Earnest , and is prominent throughout this novel, as well. In addition to the protagonist, many of the novel's characters are greatly concerned with their reputations. Lord Henry and Basil Hallward both counsel Dorian on how to best preserve his good status in the public eye. When crimes are committed, it is not personal absolution that anyone is concerned with, but whether or not the guilty party will be held responsible by the public. In this way, each character in the novel possesses an awareness of a split identity: one that is defined by the public, and one that they define themselves. The figure of Dorian is an allegorical representation of this condition. The portrait is a literal visualization of Dorian's private self, the state of his soul, while Dorian himself looks perpetually young, beautiful, and innocent.

Much of Wilde's social commentary in the novel springs from his manipulation of this theme. People's responses to Dorian constantly highlight the overwhelming superficiality of Victorian London (if not people in general). Because Dorian always looks innocent, most of the people he encounters assume that he is a good, kind person. Dorian literally gets away with murder because people are automatically more willing to believe their eyes than anything else.

The Value of Beauty and Youth

Lord Henry claims to value beauty and youth above all else. It is this belief, when imparted to Dorian, that drives the protagonist to make the wish that ultimately damns him. When Dorian realizes that he will keep his youthful appearance regardless of whatever immoral actions he indulges in, he considers himself free of the moral constraints faced by ordinary men. He values his physical appearance more than the state of his soul, which is openly displayed by the ever-increasing degradation of the portrait. This superficial faith in the ultimate value of youth and beauty is therefore the driving mechanism behind the protagonist's damnation. In this way, The Picture of Dorian Gray may be read as a moralistic tale warning against the dangers of valuing one's appearance too highly, and of neglecting one's conscience.

It is important to bear in mind that the beauty that Dorian incessantly pursues is a beauty defined by a purely artistic sensibility, as opposed to a humanitarian one. When faced with the news of his fiance's suicide, Dorian views the event as satisfyingly melodramatic. His obsession with aesthetic beauty prevents Dorian from attending to the pangs of his own conscience.

Influence and Corruption

Dorian begins the novel as an innocent youth. Under Lord Henry's influence he becomes corrupt, and eventually begins corrupting other youths himself. One of the major philosophical questions raised by this novel is that of where to locate the responsibility for a person's misdeeds. If one engages in a moralistic reading, The Picture of Dorian Gray can be seen as a lesson in taking responsibility for one's actions. Dorian often points to Lord Henry as the source of his corruption. However, when contemplating the plights of others, Dorian lays the blame at their own feet rather than considering the role that he might have played in their downfall.

Homosexuality

This is the theme that Wilde was alluding to when he wrote of the "note of Doom that like a purple thread runs through the cold cloth of Dorian Gray " in a letter to his young lover, Bosie, following his ruinous court appearances. He calls the theme of homosexuality a "note of doom" because sodomy and homosexuality in general were severly punishable offenses in Victorian England, and it was under such charges that Wilde was brought to trial.

In the novel, there are strong homosexual undertones in the relationships between the three central characters (Dorian, Lord Henry, and Basil Hallward), as well as between Dorian and several of the young men whose lives he is said to have "ruined", most notably Alan Campbell . In his revision of the novel for its official release, after it appeared in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine , Wilde removed all of the most blatant references to homosexuality. However, the idea of sexual affection between men proved too integral to the characters and their interactions to be entirely expunged from the novel. This theme has prompted many critics to read the novel as the story of a man's struggle with his socially unacceptable proclivities. Indeed, some feel that Wilde was working out his own conflicted feelings on the subject through the novel.

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The Picture of Dorian Gray Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Picture of Dorian Gray is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Why is James worried about his sister's suitor?

James is very jealous, protective of his sister, and suspicious of the situation, since Sibyl doesn't even seem to know her suitor's name.

picture of dorian gray

I think that Basil knows what Henry is capable. He doesn't want Henry's influence to turn Dorian from good to evil.

List all the sensory experiences mentioned in the first two paragraphs.

From the text:

The studio was filled with the rich odour of roses , and when the light summer wind stirred amidst the trees of the garden, there came through the open door the heavy scent of the lilac , or the more delicate perfume of the...

Study Guide for The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray study guide contains a biography of Oscar Wilde, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

About The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Picture of Dorian Gray Summary
The Picture of Dorian Gray Video
Character List

Essays for The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.

Morality and Immorality (The Picture of Dorian Gray and A Streetcar Named Desire)
The Life of Secrecy
Break On Through To the Other Side
The Art of Immorality: Character Fate and Morality in Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Unconscious Image of the Conscious Mind