Open Prompt #2 (Revision) -Apr. 21-

2009 A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Select novel or play and, focusing on one symbol, write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.

In the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde writes about a boy named Dorian Gray, who starts off as an innocent boy, but is changed after being influenced by Lord Henry. Dorian, who met Lord Henry while sitting for a painting by his friend Basil, wished that the painting that Basil created would age, rather than himself. Wilde uses the actual painting of Dorian Gray as a symbol that shows Dorian Gray's loss of innocence and his underlying selfishness.

Dorian had started as an innocent boy with a good heart, according to Basil. Though, when Dorian hears Lord Henry's theories and thoughts on life, he begins to change. Henry’s theories cause Dorian to wish that the picture would be the one that ages, in fear that he would be ugly when he ages. From then on, the painting begins to change, showing how Dorian's innocence has changed. Lord Henry's teachings had exposed Dorian and Dorian was then no longer able to hide behind his innocence, and caused him to be "cursed". The painting also had changed as Dorian continuously became more corrupted. When Dorian kills his good friend just because he didn’t want him to know about the painting, it’s appearance changed. Dorian's hands in the picture were covered with blood, and his face held an evil grin. The changing of the painting highlights how Dorian is quickly losing his old, innocent, self, and is turning into a sick, ugly, person.

The picture also exposes Dorian's selfishness that he holds within. When he wished that the painting would age, he had wanted to be perfect forever, without realizing the consequences. Lord Henry has taught Dorian to live life in attempt to achieve the ultimate pleasures of it, causing Dorian to think selfishly. With this state of mind, Dorian leaves the girl he proposed to, only because he thought he loved her for her acting. He didn't care about how she felt, causing her to kill herself. His actions caused the  painting to gain an unattractive grin, which made Dorian realize his selfishness and feel guilty.

Overall, the painting reveals certain aspects of the character, Dorian Gray. By placing the painting as a symbol, Wilde shows that Dorian is a selfish man and that he loses his innocence through influence.