Essay about Picture of Dorian Gray Corruption - 1677 Words

According to the nurture theory of the evolution of human behavior, when a child is first brought into the world it has no basis or idea of how to perceive things. The child is pure and innocent. It is naive to its surroundings, depending on the guidance of those around it to show it the way. When a child is born, most are accompanied by loving nurses, doctors, and parents. The moment this child encounters these other beings, the influences upon the individual begins. Their parents and peers influence their personas and ultimately who they become. They instill in them the values and morals necessary to survive in society. They teach them self-control, cleanliness, repression of anger and respect for elders and property. It is these†¦show more content†¦2). This purity and innocence allows the audience to perceive Dorian as a blank slate or a human canvas. Although he is in fact in his late twenties, he is still portrayed as naà ¯ve and innocent. He is said to have a simple and beautiful nature(10; ch. 1), a comment that would be used today to describe a young child. The human canvas motif is first portrayed to the audience through Basil Hallward, an artist who becomes infatuated with Dorian. Basil remarks He is all art to me now and Dorian Gray is to me simply a motive in art(7-8; ch 1), suggesting that Dorian should be seen as a work of art. Lord Henry also remarks he looks as if he was made out of ivory and rose-leaves. These statements further the notion that Dorian is open for an artists impressions, a position assumed by Lord Henry Wotton. Lord Henrys presence around Dorian is in essence the beginning of his corruption. Basil attempted to deter Lord Henry claiming that he would spoil him and pleaded with Lord Henry saying, dont influence him. Your influence would be bad (10; ch. 1). And later remarks something has changed in you completelyÂ… you talk as if you had no heart, no pity in you. Its all Harrys [Lord Henry] influence. I see that.(79; ch 9) Lord Henry implants outrageous ideas such as when your youth goes, your beauty will go with it, and then you will suddenly discover that there are no triumphs left for you, or have to content yourselfShow MoreRelatedThe Picture of Dorian Gray: Corruption Through Aestheticism1464 Words   |  6 PagesThe Picture of Dorian Gray: Corruption Through Aestheticism The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is the story of moral corruption by the means of aestheticism. In the novel, the well meaning artist Basil Hallward presets young Dorian Gray with a portrait of himself. After conversing with cynical Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian makes a wish which dreadfully affects his life forever. If it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! 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