The Basic Analysis of Dorian Grey

【Abstract】Oscar Wild is a famous poet，author and playwright who has also been a sponsor of the aestheticism in Victoria time he lives.I will analyze the main point of Wilds idea reflected in this novel according to the personal analysis of the three major men in this novel：Dorian Grey.Inevitably when we study Wild and his work

【Key words】Oscar Wild； Paradox； Personal analysis

1.The Relationship between the Tragedy of Dorian Grey and Greek Myths

It seemed that Wild put all the wonderful adjectives to describe Dorian Grey.It just a kind of boy has an appearance like the most beautiful boy in the Greek myth which frequently mentioned in the novel：Adonis，Narcissus and Antinouse.The interesting part of these boys who related to Dorian Grey is that they all had a tragedy consequence.The most familiar one for us maybe Narcissus，the beautiful boy that loved his reflection in water and when he comes to the end of his life he become daffodil.The other two also had a Shakespeares result：Adonis is the boys loved by both Persephone and Aphrodite.He once died and Aphrodite asks Persephone to save him.When he reborn Zeus let him live with Aphrodite half years and with Persephone another half.And the story of Antiouse is the simplest of the three，he is the lover of Rome king Hadrian，after he drawn the king built several sculpture of him.The splendid appearance and their tragedy just like a curse to Dorian Grey.This beautiful boy just becomes a combination of these three.

2.Compare Dorian Grey with Faust

Wild has said once the story of Faust is the inspiration of his book.Actually，it is really the gorgeous version of Faust.Dorian Grey is more beautiful than Faust and the sentence is flowery version in Wilds.The content is startling similar.Faust give his soul to devil in order to own an eternal life while Dorian exchange his soul with the picture of him for his everlasting beautiful appearance and enjoyable life.Faust was instigated by devil but Dorian was a real person，Lord Henry.Basil‘s picture and the flattery of Lord Henry is the clue for Dorian to suddenly discovery his superb beauty.Before his awaken of his beauty that as a gift given by god，he is just an innocent and ignorant boy live in upper class.However，the picture let his life greatly related to Lord Henry the one who changed him becomes a devil，the Fleur du mal.The reason why he can be so easily influenced by Lord Henry cant only attribute to his na?ve，Lord Henrys eloquent is a major reason too.Even though we had to say that the desire in Dorians heart is the biggest monster to let him metamorphose.That is the strong desire makes him does much of the crazy thing when he finds out no matter what he does，no matter how older he is the punishment and old only be carved on the Dorian Grey draw on the canvas.This miracle makes him he exhilarating not afraid.During his journey of enjoyment and pursue of beauty，he indulges in the Vanity Fair and lose himself.

3.The Character of Dorian Grey

The progress of Dorians depraved life is real chapter to draw the Dorian that reflect Wilds real moral and motif.It is also these parts implied Dorians character.Now we can conclude Dorians character：

Hedonism：Dorian is a thoroughly Hedonism in this novel.We all know that the Victoria time is a prosperous period the upper class had totally qualities to enjoy life without any scruple.Dorian becomes portrait of this spirit Wild support.When Dorian knows the secret of the picture he lives an extravagant luxurious life.He loves the beautiful actress who always played the beautiful role in Shakespeares drama and his rude lead the death of her.His guilt gone with the wind according to the speech of hedonism and love and marriages hypocritical.In the entire novel，Dorian leads a dissipated and corrupt life.This life even has big effect to people around him.Many people lose all standing and reputation due to him.Even when he find anyone knows the secret of the picture or inhibited him from enjoying he killed them himself.The list includes the actress Bill Wane and Bills brother indirectly，his friend and painter Basil directly.

Denying love：For Dorian love is just a part of his Hedonism，he has date with Wane just because her beauty and all his character in Shakespeare drama.He treat her rudely and makes the girl committed a suicide but his penitence no longer than his longing of another exiting enjoyment in this world.In the whole novel，Dorian has a love affair with two girl the first one is the pity actress who is the last one can suggest the purity of Dorian and the latter one has no appearance and but she really are the Dorians last kindhearted.

The character of the Dorian Grey is the part Wild is Pursuing.It seems crazy，but in the Victoria times everyone were Dorian Grey the only difference was if they talked it in public and made a serious issue to discuss but Wild done it.

References：

[1]Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.Paradoxes and Contemporary Logic.first published Tue 16 Oct，2007.

[2]Montgomery H.Hyde.The Trials of Oscar Wild.London，William Hodge，1984.

作者簡介：骆应吉，男，1982年4月，重庆人，硕士研究生，现工作于重庆工商大学派斯学院，讲师，研究方向：英美文学。