The Influence of Lord Henry in The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wil

In analyzing Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray, concepts such as influence and the product line of evil in Dorian Gray play an exceptionally blue-chip exercise in understanding the motives of the characters. Although some critics argue characters such as captain Kelso prodigiously influence Dorians corruption, Lord heat content Wottons toxic personality undeniably impacts Dorian the most. Throughout the human body of the novel, Lord total heat remains the ultimate source of evil and uses feigning and persuasion to poison Dorian from a nave boy to a destructive monster. Shortly after meeting Dorian for the first time, Lord Henry calmly declares, to influence a person is to give him unrivalleds own soul (20). In these few words, Lord Henry foreshadows the entirety of his relationship with Dorian throughout the novel. By sharing his incomparable thoughts about the scientific view of influence, Lord Henry captures Dorians curiosity and attention, opening the door to the beginning of Dorians maturation Lord Henry continues to bruise Dorians perfection on page 21 when he lectures Dorian about the key to a rewarding life through means of the senses. In response to these knockout regarding influence, sensation, temptation, and beauty, Dorian commands Lord Henry to stop speaking as he absorbs the new light shed upon him For nearly ten minutes he stood there, motionless, with parted lips, and eyes strangely bright. He was dimly conscious that in all fresh influences were at work within him. . . The few words that sweet basils friend had said to him words spoken by chance, no doubt, and with willful paradox in them had touched some secret fit in that had never been touched before, but that he felt was now vibrating and pounding to curious puls... ...n goes on to murder Basil in a instant of pure hatred, allowing Lord Henry to ultimately succeed in his aims of winning Dorians soul. Careful examination of Dorians initial suscept ibility to influence, willingness to commit sin, and interactions with other characters prove Lord Henry plays the biggest role in transforming Dorian from pure to vicious. With his cunning theories and brainwashing comments, Dorian cannot draft copy the strength to resist Lord Henrys dominating nature, video display there are no limitations in relationships when it comes to influence. The topic of which character in the main influences Dorian to turn to a dishonest lifestyle is undeniably significant in understanding the purpose of the characters as well as the deeper essence of the text.Work Cited Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. New York Dover Publications, Inc., 1993.