Dorian Grey rough draft

There is a fine line between imagination and reality. In Oscar Wilde’s, The Picture of

Dorian Grey, imagination is subliminally just as much as a main character than Dorian,

Basil and Lord Henry. But is this make-believe or an actual supernatural event that

occurs? Perhaps, if one was a character in this book, one would witness its truthfulness

or its phoniness. Dorian Grey’s paranoia wasn’t necessary because his eyes weren’t the

only one’s who saw his “alter-ego” in the painting.

Dorian Grey “with the air of a young Greek martyr” (Wilde, 13) is the protagonist

of, The Picture of Dorian Grey. He is a narcissist, who not only portrays self-obsession

but youth as well. “…he was certainly wonderfully handsome, with his finely-curved

scarlet lips, his frank blue eyes, his crisp gold hair.” (12). His beauty not only has an

affect on himself, but Basil as well. Basil feels as if Dorian is, “…a motive in art” (10).

He not only has love for him as a friend, but there is an infatuation throbbing deep inside

for Dorian, “Of course I flatter him dreadfully,” (10). But Dorian’s heart wasn’t in

Basil’s friendship once Lord Henry came about. “He was so unlike Hallward…and he has

such a beautiful voice.” (10). Nevertheless there is some evil in Dorian’s soul that

didn’t appear until the climax, “‘Each of us has Heaven and Hell in him…’” (83). Too

bad there wasn’t a heads-up.

The painting Basil created is to blame. Dorian’s wish, “‘If the picture could

change, and I could be always what I am now!’” (19); was merely a selfish and jealous

wish. Dorian does not want to accept the fact that one day his youth and beauty will not be the topic of discussion. It is true, to be careful what you wish for.

Dorian’s love, Sybil Vane. Another victim to the blindness love has upon the youth. “‘It seemed to me that all my life had been narrowed to one perfect point of rose-colored joy.’” (34).The words Dorian selects for the break up are cruel, obnoxious and shallow just because she isn’t who he wants her to be. “‘You have killed my love.’” (40). Dorian is in love with the roles she portrays in plays, not her as Sybil Vane. “‘…you have spoiled the romance of my life.’” (40). The day Dorian discovers the news of Sybil’s suicide, “He was dazed with horror.” (46). His inner guilt came on to the surface, “‘So I have killed Sybil Vane…’” (47). He might as well have literally killed her because he killed her emotionally.