Causes, Gains, and Loses: The Picture of Dorian Gray

Throughout the novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, the main character, Dorian, goes from being on top of the world as a humble young man, to dying in vain as an old hideous witch. At the beginning of the novel, we are introduced to Basil, an aspiring artist, and his friend Lord Henry. Dorian is originally introduced as the muse of Basil (Wilde, 25). Unfortunately, when Lord Henry gets his hands on Dorian, Dorian changes who he is entirely. He loses the humbleness he once had, and finds himself in a downwards spiral. Throughout the book, our main character, Dorian Gray, loses himself more and more with each chapter. Unfortunately, there is not much that Dorian gains through the novel besides a new personality. Dorian not only loses friends, he is the sole reason they are gone. He personally kills Basil, as well as causes a lover to commit suicide. This book definitely was full of loss. Unfortunately, it was all over the stupidity that comes with becoming obsessed with one’s own looks. The main cause of all of the problems in the book seemed to be Lord Henry. He was the one who got Dorian obsessed with his looks (Wilde 28), and that is where things went downhill.

Wilde, Oscar. Picture of Dorian Gray. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest Association, 2007. Print.