The Use of Literary Elements in the Picture of Dorian Gray

The Use of Literary Elements in the Picture of Dorian Gray

The picture of Dorian Gray represents the story of Domain Gray, who is stuck in a phase in his life where the decisions he makes have massive repercussions. In the story,  the author speaks his mind about the society he is living in at the time. Oscar Wilde is not shy about identifying with one of the most controversial ways of living, hedonism. Instead, the author uses the main character to project the image of a young man who is set to achieve everything that he wants in his life. However, his life is mired by bad decisions that come to haunt him in the latter parts. This essay will discuss the elements of literature used by the author to tell the story of Dorian Gray. These elements include satire, aphorism, hedonism, symbolism, irony, themes of good, evil, and morality.

The first element of literature used by the author is satire. The first incidence where the author uses satire is when one of the primary characters, Lord Henry Wotton, discusses the clergy. The author proposes that a bishop keeps on saying that he was 80 years what he was told to say when he was a boy of eighteen years, and as a natural consequence, he always looks delightful (Wilde 5). This statement is both satirical and carries some form of sarcasm regarding the practice of religious leaders (Harrison). As a religious society, the people in this setting are sincere believers in the teachings of the clerical leaders. However, the author, through the character of Lord Henry Wotton, seeks to elaborate on how this way of thought is wrong (Leeman 299). The author wants to explain that people ought to be more objective as to how they interpret the teachings given to them by religious leaders because most of them barely preach anything creative or offer a critical analysis of any particular situation when they provide guidelines to society. Instead, they pass down what was taught to them during their formative years. According to the author, such a way of thought is unhealthy for society and should not be condoned.

Another scenario of satire is evident through the character Lord Henry Wotton. Lord Henry Wotton suggests that older people are devoid of the power of critical thinking. He also emphasizes the mediocrity that is possessed by the majority of youths in the society, a quality that he deeply loathes from his conversation with Basil Hallward. ‘A portrait like this would set you far above all young men in England, and make the old men quite jealous if old men are capable of any emotion’ (Wilde 4). This statement explains how unusual it is that old folks in the town tend to pretend that they have no emotion regarding what happens around them. This is in deep contrast as to what is expected of the elderly in any society. They should provide a guideline for the rest of the people to follow.

Additionally, Lord Henry Wotton is unimpressed at how young people are content with mediocrity. In that regard, he challenges Basil to perfect the painting, as that would automatically depict him as one of the freethinking lads in the town. That particular aspect illustrates how backward this specific society is and shows a helpless situation whereby neither the youth nor the elderly can stop the backwardness in that town.

Lord Henry Wotton’s satirical utterances also reflect the union marriages in that specific society. Lord Henry states, ‘Never marry at all, Dorian. Men marry because they are tired, and women because they are curious, and both end up disappointed’ (Wilde 54). Lord Henry Wotton is visibly disrespectful of marriage, and he believes that it is the last thing that young Dorian should think of. To him, marriage is the last resort for human beings after exploring earthily pleasures because they are left with the option of settling down in a union full of disappointments. Although the statement might sound misleading, it is the author’s way of expressing how often people in society get into marriages with misplaced priorities. This issue brews frustration and often leads to an unhappy community among individuals who are stuck in unions they never wanted using satire, the author can veil a message that is highly sensitive and therefore necessitates deep tact to ensure it is understood.

The third satirical element is also seen through the character Lord Henry Wotton. Lord Henry states that ‘the only way a woman can ever reform a man is by boring him so completely that he loses all possible interest in life.’ (Wilde 113). This statement by Lord Henry means that a woman cannot change the beliefs of a man. It also emphasizes on the fact that women are objectified as tools of pleasure. This statement also elaborates on the position of men as dominant beings who believe in their abilities as the movers of the society who are able and need no help from women. However, the ideal community should have an ultimate gender balance where each individual actively empowers the other (Liebman 305). Through satire, the author has been able to explain the degree of deterioration of values, especially towards women.

The second element of literature used by the author is aphorism and hedonism. In this book, truthful expressions are used to present the author’s perception of society. The author uses proverb and hedonism through the character Lord Henry Wotton. The first instance where the author uses saying is where he states that moderation is fatal for the wellbeing of society (Wilde 194). What this maxim means to Lord Henry is that reduction is a way of ensuring that human beings do not find the ultimate pleasure in doing a good thing. Through this character, it is evident that the author is a firm believer in hedonism. The theory of hedonism dictates that joyous events should be explored in full capacity without fear. Lord Henry passes this trait to Dorian, and it works to his advantage. However, he hurts others in the process, and the whole idea of hedonism turns to be in contrast with the maxim that moderation is fatal.

Furthermore, hedonism is expressed later in the text where Lord Henry is advising Basil. Lord Henry tells Basil that the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about (Wilde 4). This advice depicts a person who believes that being famous is the only thing that matters in human life. Dorian Gray, who is a student of Lord Henry Wotton’s philosophies, also borrows this maxim, and he is all willing to be accessible at all costs. Dorian Gray embarks on a life that displays selfishness’ without concern for other people’s feelings.

Symbolism is another element of literature adopted by the author to express his views about society. The first instance where the analogy is applied is when Lord Henry exclaims that life always has poppies in her hands (Wilde 116). This symbolism is used to explain how people often live double lives, just the character of Dorian shows. The poppy plant is a delicate plant from the outside with gorgeous flowers. Nonetheless, the same plant produces opium, a hard drug, which is illegal in many countries. The writer considers the side of life that can often be dark and bring about painful moments, and he symbolically shows that through the character of Dorian Gray.

The irony is a literature element where what appears real is not reality. For example, Dorian attains happiness after forcing Sybil to commit suicide. The latter takes his life due to comments regarding her actions. The love she had for Dorian was the reason her performance was poor. Dorian’s presence during Sybil’s performance makes her uneasy and unable to perform well. The irony in this scene is that the person who was the cause of the poor performance by Sybil was the person who commented on the poor performance by Sybil, making her commit suicide and feel relaxed after the suicide of Sybil.

Another ironical scene is witnessed when Lord Henry Wotton says that he would be glad if he came face to face with the individual who aided the demise of Sybil (Wilde 222). As Lord Henry was uttering these words, he was standing next to the real accomplice of Sybil’s murder, Dorian Gray. The irony in this scene is that Lord Henry wants to meet face to face with some who are already facing him at that particular moment.

Another element of literature used in the story about Darian Gray is the themes of good and evil. Lord Henry Wotton is the protagonist of goodwill, and he always wants good to thrive. Lord Henry rallies anyone who has murderous hands to stand forward and face him (Wilde 222). Dorian Gray is the complete opposite of Lord Henry. As much as the character is coached continuously on the need to be good, the urge to achieve overcomes him and is drunk with the will to be super successful in all undertakings. The author uses these themes to show how the forces of good and evil control human lives. The author also makes sure that good trounces evil.

Another theme used as an element of literature in this story is the theme of morality. In this story, Lord Henry is the primary advocate of morality. However, his utterances at some point are conflicting, for example, when he says that the only thing in the world that is worse than being talked about is not being talked about (Wilde 4). This brings out the question of what exactly should be morally right and should be adopted by society. Immorality is brought out through the character of Dorian Gray, who is willing to do anything to be successful in life, including immoral actions.

In conclusion, using elements such as irony, satire, hedonism literally, and themes of morality, good and evil, the author can put across his beliefs in a manner that is understandable and elaborative for the average reader. Wilde is primarily expressing the theory of hedonism in society and the need of the individual to remove the element of limiting their quest for pleasure and beauty through moderation. However, he also uses the character of Dorian to inform the readers on the need to exercise caution; otherwise, the results would be detrimental as it is with the novel’s main character. Wilde is regarded rightfully as an advocate of the theory of hedonism, and through the story, the various forms of the theory are depicted.