Final Exam Assignment (60%)

Student’s Name and Surname: Dilara Aydoğmuş Student’s Number: 20190101009

Symbolism Behind the Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

The Picture of Dorian Gray was published in the year 1891, which was considered as a
masterpiece of Oscar Wilde. The novel tells the story of a young man who falls into a life of
depravity and corruption. The novel is considered as a classic work of literature

The Picture of Dorian Gray suggests that the effect of experience on the soul is largely
negative. As Dorian Gray ages, the soul within him becomes increasingly corrupted by the
excesses of his lifestyle. By the end of the novel, his soul is a blackened, monstrous thing,
completely at odds with the beautiful exterior he has maintained through use of the portrait.

Oscar Wilde, explores the idea of a person's soul being reflected in their portrait. The
protagonist, Dorian Gray, is a young man who is very vain and obsessed with his own beauty.
As he grows older, he realizes that his looks will eventually fade and he will grow old and
ugly. In order to preserve his youth and beauty, Dorian makes a deal with a devilish artist,
Basil Hallward, who paints his portrait. The portrait is a beautiful reflection of Dorian's soul,
but as Dorian descends into a life of sin and debauchery, the portrait slowly changes to reflect
his ugly soul

In addition to that, The portrait of Dorian Gray is a physical manifestation of his conscience.
As Dorian's soul becomes more corrupt, the portrait becomes more hideous. The portrait is a
reminder to Dorian of the consequences of his actions and the person he is becoming. It is
also a warning to others of the dangers of leading a life of excess and debauchery. The Picture
of Dorian Gray is a representation of the dangers of vanity and the pursuit of pleasure. It
shows how one can be consumed by their own vanity and become blinded to the
consequences of their actions. The novel also demonstrates the power of art to corrupt and
destroy.

Furthermore, The novel explores the themes of morality, art, and beauty. Wilde’s novel is a
cautionary tale about the dangers of vanity and the corrupting power of art. It is also a
complex meditation on the relationship between art and life. The portrait of Dorian Gray is
both a work of art and a living thing, and it is this duality that makes it so dangerous. The
portrait is a physical embodiment of Dorian’s soul, and as it becomes corrupted, so does he.

The novel, full of symbols that represent different things. For example, the portrait of Dorian
Gray is a symbol of Dorian's soul. As the portrait gets uglier, Dorian's soul gets corrupted.
The yellow flower is a symbol of youth and beauty, and it also represents Dorian's innocence.
The knife is a symbol of violence and death, and it represents the dark side of Dorian's
personality.
One of the most important devices that Wilde uses in the novel is irony. For example, when
Dorian Gray first sees the portrait of himself that has been painted by Basil Hallward, he is
amazed by its beauty and says that he would give anything to look like the portrait. However,
as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that it is the portrait, not Dorian Gray, that is truly
beautiful. This is because, as Dorian Gray indulges in a life of sin and debauchery, the portrait
remains unchanged

Dorian is both a victim and a villain. He is a victim because he is the victim of his own vanity.
He is a villain because he is the cause of his own downfall. He is so vain that he is willing to
sacrifice anything and everything for the sake of his own beauty. He is so vain that he is
willing to destroy the lives of those around him for the sake of his own happiness.

Finally, Wilde uses satire to explore the theme of beauty. For example, he mocks the
superficiality of those who value beauty above all else. This is most clearly seen in the
character of Lady Windermere, who is so obsessed with her own beauty that she is willing to
ignore her husband's infidelity.

"There is no such thing as a good portrait of a bad man." -Oscar Wilde, The Picture of
Dorian Gray

This quote is from the preface of the novel, and it reflects Wilde's belief that art should not be
used to glorify evil.

However in the novel, Dorian Gray hides his portrait because it is a reminder of his own
mortality and the ugliness that comes with age. The portrait is a constant reminder of the
passage of time and Dorian's own impermanence. By hiding the portrait, Dorian can maintain
the illusion of youth and beauty.

In the end of the novel, Dorian Gray's body is found by Lord Henry, who is shocked by his
appearance. Dorian's body is in a state of decay, with his face being the only part that has not
changed. Lord Henry realises that Dorian has finally paid the price for his selfishness and he
feels sorry for him. In some ways, The novel raises important questions about the nature of art
and its power to influence our lives. Is art merely a mirror of reality, or does it have the power
to shape and change reality? Can art be beautiful and still be evil? These are questions that
Wilde leaves for the reader to answer. The Picture of Dorian Gray is a complex and thought-
provoking novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

The ending is rather tragic.Dorian has become a completely evil person, and his only concern
is retaining his youthful appearance. He has ruined many lives, and finally his own. And when
he realises that he will never again be able to look at his own reflection, he kills himself.

Consequently, the ending of The Picture of Dorian Gray is open to interpretation. Some
readers believe that Dorian Gray is truly remorseful for his actions and that he kills himself in
order to atone for his sins. Other readers believe that Dorian Gray is not truly sorry for his
actions and that he commits suicide simply because he can no longer stand to look at his own
reflection. The novel explores the themes of morality, art, and beauty. Wilde challenges the
Victorian ideals of his time and suggests that true beauty comes from within. Critics have
praised the novel for its clever wit and prose. Overall, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a classic
novel that is still relevant today. It is a thought-provoking work that challenges the reader to
consider the true nature of beauty.

WORKS CITED:

Regelin, Briana. The Graceful Prince of a Trivial Comedy: Symbolism and Aesthetics in the

Picture of Dorian Gray and “de Profundis.”

“The Novel the Picture of Dorian Gray English Literature Essay.” Www.ukessays.com,

www.ukessays.com/essays/english-literature/the-novel-the-picture-of-dorian-gray-

english-literature-essay.php. Accessed 26 June 2022.

Duggan, Patrick. “The Conflict between Aestheticism and Morality in Oscar Wilde’s the

Picture of Dorian Gray» Writing Program» Boston University.” Bu.edu, 2019,

www.bu.edu/writingprogram/journal/past-issues/issue-1/duggan/.

Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. 2005, sites.ualberta.ca/~gifford/dorian/dorian.pdf.