Lord Henry s Manipulation Corrupting Dorian Gray

Nunn 1 Ashley J. Nunn Ms. Spencer English 4 Honors Period 6 May 7, 2017 Lord Henry s Manipulation Corrupting Dorian Gray In the eyes of Lord Henry, there is no such thing as a good influence, all influence is immoral (Wilde, 8) meaning that anything being said is neutral; however, that person uses that information is the leading factor of manipulation and corruption. Lord Henry is the prime instigator and had motive for turning Dorian into a destructive monster, opposite his naturally shy and youthful soul. Author, Oscar Wilde, uses Lord Henry in Picture of Dorian Gray to show how the constant use of manipulation causes Dorian to not use his own knowledge and thoughts, manipulate and destroy others around him, cause a decline†¦show more content†¦Lord Henry presents to Dorian the effect of living life to the fullest but interchangeably, Lord Henry is afraid of life and the decisions to make for himself (Dawson). Lord Henry s outlook on life is based on the New Hedonism, the complete opposite of the typical Victorian Society, thus creating another distraction for Dorian and a yearning for a d eeper understanding on how to be different from everyone else and enjoy life (Liebman). New Hedonism is a different outlook on life revolving around enjoying life to the fullest with total happiness and satisfaction. In learning this from Lord Henry, Dorian claims that the only true happiness is to live life in someone else s shoes and just be a spectator (Dawson). Following this new lifestyle from the New Hedonism, according to Lord Henry, Dorian s attitude severely changes and he soon finds himself stepping into the wild side and observing people and their differences. As Dorian listens to Lord Henry and realizes the importance of his youth and the time that he has, he begins to venture out and manipulate others including friends and strangers. His new outlook on life encourages his act of narcissism and superiority (Duggan). Dorian Gray personifies the aesthetic lifestyle in action, pursuing personal gratification with abandonment. Yet, while he enjoys these indulgences, his behavior ultimately kills him and others, and he dies Nunn 3 unhappierShow MoreRelatedMacbeth and Picture of Dorian Gray Essay1821 Words   |  6 Pagesof Dorian Gray – Victorian Era Gray swaps his soul for the painting through an indirect Faustian Bargain. Quote: Yes, there is nothing in the whole world I would not give! I would give my soul for that! Social Values/Context: Aestheticism was exposed to Dorian Gray by Lord Henry who was an aesthetic himself, which ultimately leads to the Faustian Bargain. Quote: Oh, she is better than good – she is beautiful, murmured Lord Henry, sipping a glass of vermouth and orange-bitters. Dorian saysRead More 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. The Picture of Dorian Gray shows variations on the existence and purposesRead MoreThe Pursuit Of Self Discovery2522 Words   |  11 PagesPursuit of Self-Discovery: A Psychoanalytic look at The Picture of Dorian Gray When one hears the title The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde a flash of Faustian images such as villains, tragedy, and worldly pleasures might come to mind. The reader might recall Lord Henry Wotton as the Mephistophelian presence of the novel, and his epigram that â€Å"All influence is immoral†¦because to influence a person is to give him one s own soul† (Wilde 19-20). But, to say this is the only theme, or even