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A Picture Of Dorian: Gray Basil's Changes As Related To Wilde's Opinion On Art - Term Papers

A Picture Of Dorian: Gray Basil's Changes As Related To Wilde's Opinion On Art

Oscar Wilde, author of The Picture of Dorian Gray, makes Basil's life change drastically by having him paint a portrait of Dorian Gray and express too much of himself in it, which, in Wilde's mind, is a troublesome obstacle to circumvent. Wilde believes that the artist should not portray any of himself in his work, so when Basil does this, it is he who creates his own downfall, not Dorian. Wilde introduces Basil to Dorian when Basil begins to notice Dorian staring at him at a party. Basil "suddenly became conscious that someone was looking at [him]. [He] turned halfway around and saw Dorian Gray for the first time" (Wilde 24). Basil immediately notices him, however Basil is afraid to ...

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different about Dorian. He sees him in a different way than he sees other men. Dorian is not only beautiful to Basil, but he is also gentle and kind. This is when Basil falls in love with him and begins to paint the picture. Basil begins painting the picture, but does not tell anyone about it, including Dorian, because he knows that there is too much of himself in it. Lord Henry discovers the painting and asks Basil why he will not display it. Lord Henry thinks that it is so beautiful it should be displayed in a museum. Basil argues that the reason he will not display the painting is because he is "afraid that [he] has shown in it the secret of his soul" (Wilde 23). This is another paradox because he has not only shown the secret of his soul, but the painting eventually comes to show the secret of Dorian's soul also.
In the preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde explains that "to reveal art and conceal the artist is art's aim" (Wilde 17). Basil realizes that he has not ...

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A Picture Of Dorian: Gray Basil's Changes As Related To Wilde's Opinion On Art. (2005, June 4). Retrieved January 13, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Picture-Dorian-Gray-Basils-Changes-Related/27948

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 6/4/2005 12:13:27 AM
Category: Book Reports
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 868
Pages: 4

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