The Relationship between Dorian Gray, Basil Hallward and...

Set in the late 19th Century, Oscar Wilde wrote his only novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, which is a story about debauchery and corruption of innocence and well known as a Gothic melodrama. Violent twists and a sneaky plot make this novel a distinct reflection of human pride and corrupt nature. Before we examine the quality of the error that Dorian Gray commits, we should first examine his friends and their relation to him because Dorian falls into this error with a little help from his friends. 1. The relationship between Dorian Gray and Basil Hallward Though Wilde wrote in the preface to this book that To reveal art and conceal the artist is arts aim, we can still trace the shadow of the author himself in all of the†¦show more content†¦He fears that Dorian would get fanatic with Lord Henry and leave him. Basil struggles hard to maintain his intimate relationship with Dorian Gray all his life. He claims he loves Dorians spirit but in fact that spirit is visually symbolized by his body. If he really cherishes that purity, he wont flatter him(Dorian Gray) dreadfully and find a strange pleasure in saying things to him that I (Basil) know I shall be sorry for having said(Chapter 1, page 29). Actually, his obsession and idolatry prepare Dorian to appreciate his extreme beauty and is trying every means to please Dorian. And after the death of Sibyl Vane, Basil has seen the corruption of Dorians soul, he should help Dorian, but on the contrast, he felt strangely moved, he could not bear the idea of reproaching him any more, there was so much in him (Dorian Gray) that was good, so much in him that was noble. (Chapter 9, page 124). How can one who is indifferent to his fianc#233;es death be good and noble? Basil should know it, but he is blinded by love and wont admit that his Dorian has chang ed. If he were attracted by Dorians simple and good nature, now this innocence has been polluted, then why not leave Dorian, just as Alan Campbell has done? Or try to save his soul? The answer is that in fact, Basil is to a large extent, if not only, attracted by DoriansShow MoreRelated Manipulation in Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray 2501 Words   |  11 PagesManipulation in Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray  Ã‚        Ã‚  I do not think that one person influences another, nor do I think there is any bad influence in the world, Oscar Wilde uttered when under trial (Hyde 353). Although this statement may be true, one of Wildes most famous works shows a great deal of the effects of people shaping one another, causing one to wonder about Wildes sincerity in that statement. 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