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Isaac Martinez
Mrs. Lovenstein
ENGL 1312
December 7 2015
Reflections of Oscar Wildes Personality in the Main Characters of His Novel, the Picture of
Dorian Gray
Writers with globally acclaimed reputation have graced the field of English literature.
The stylistic techniques and themes evident in the works of writers who emerged during the
Anglo-Saxon times and the Victorian era are testimonies of the vibrancy and richness of English
literature. Many works produced during the two periods are still relevant today. In fact, the works
continue to enchant many people with their simplicity, humor, appropriate boldness and
originality. Oscar Wilde is among the great writers of the time who have been immortalized by
their great works. According to Raby, Oscar Wildes works continue to stir controversy and
excitement in the present age (6). Wildes work, The Picture of Dorain Grey, opened a new
horizon in writing and morality in literary works. It explored areas that were not widely covered
in literary works of the time due to societal reservations and set moral standards. The work is a
magnum opus that endeared him to global readers and lovers of literature. Despite the
controversies that engulfed the writing, its originally cannot be disputed. The work exhibit
paradox and conveys the writers own complex life. Wilde uses his characters to bring out his
dark life, to express what people think about him and to express his view of the world. A close
analysis of the writing and the events in Wildes real life confirms that he used the book to
express his own personal beliefs thereby affirming the fact that the three main characters in the
book, Lord Henry, Basil Halward and Dorian Gray are the three contrasting sides of the author.

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The success of any writer depends on his or her uniqueness. Whereas some writers excel
by appealing to emotions or fear, Wilde chose to explore controversy to set him apart from other
writers. Wilde created a strong connection between his characters and built on the relationship to
bring out societal discourse, expectations and oppression by exploring the relationship between
human life, religion, morality and inner beauty. He advocated for a deeper understanding of art.
Additionally, he pushed for the appreciation of the works of art, which in his view, did not
deserve categorization in terms of immoral or moral. Wilde claimed, There is no such thing as a
moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all (Wilde 1). Right
from the start of the book, Wilde can be seen advocating for a more objective and open view of
the works of art. He wanted his audience to desist from viewing art using the religious lens.
Much later in the book, it becomes apparent that the work of art he was referring to signified
human sexuality. Wilde was against societys view of sex and sexuality. He wanted an open
approach to such issues.
In the character of Dorian Gray, Wilde brings out his tormented soul and troubles. He
uses Dorian Gray to show his readers how immorality can be manifested in the soul even if its
fruits cannot be seen in cats. The character is symbolized on the cover page with youthful charm
and outside beauty. He described as, Yes, he was certainly wonderfully handsome, with his
finely curved scarlet lips, his frank blue eyes, his crisp gold hair. There was something in his face
that made one trust him at once. All the candor of youth was there, as well as all youth's
passionate purity (9). However, one side of his face is disfigured to show that beneath the charm
lies suppressed immoral desires. The author struggled with immorality in his own life but desired
a moral life. However, with every sexual encounter, Wilde found himself more entangled and

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obsessed. Deep inside, however, Wilde desired to have the charm and innocence of the young
man on his books cover.
The beauty of Dorain was Wildes way of appreciating the works of art, which he wanted
everyone else to appreciate and value. However, Dorians beauty fades fast due to societal
influences. Wilde attempts to convince his readers that the immoral life of Dorain is a result of
societal influences but not acts of his own. Wilde claims that societal pressures leave people no
option but to yield to them. Those who refuse to yield are punished. When Dorain claims, The
mutilation of the savage has its tragic survival in the self-denial that mars our lives. We are
punished for our refusals. Every impulse that we strive to strangle broods in the minds and
poisons us, it become clear that it is Wilde speaking given his stand on homosexuality (Wilde
24). He was advocating for exploring life without putting any limits. The explorative nature of
Wilde earned him the title of the father of modern day homosexuality. It is, therefore, clear that
Dorain represented Wildes own explorative nature.
Basils character is the conformist, the moral, upright and law abiding person who lives a
normal life. When Dorain is seen as an immoral person who has lost his way, Basil is seen as the
one who has control of his life; a devote Christian who is willing to fight against the desires of
the flesh to remain holy. Many people viewed Wilde a devoted Christian who was blameless and
upright in his ways. Basils character is, thus, a representation of the peoples view of him.
Ironically, he disapproves of such a life. He did not want a life where a person had to fight
against temptations. He considered such lives boring and unfulfilled.
Lord Henry Wotton represents Wildes core beliefs and philosophies. The characters
decayed moral standards are beyond description. He represents the absolute darkness in Wildes
heart and soul. He is the side of Wilde that he labored so hard to hide from public domain for

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many years. When referring to Dorians hidden desires, he claims, The only way to get rid of a
temptation is to yield to it. Resist it and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has
forbidden to itself, with desire for what its monstrous laws have made monstrous and unlawful
(Wilde 24). Lord Henry Wottons strong belief in hedonism is a reflection of Wildes real life.
Wilde did not only value art works that explored sex and pleasure, his life was entangled in
pleasure seeking endeavors (Brody, 2013). Lord Henry Wotton pursued all kinds of immoral
pleasures but was seemingly unsatisfied with his exploits. He no longer found sex with women
desirable or satisfying; he claimed that sex with women was only for reproduction, while sex
with other men was for pleasure. Given the existence of laws that prohibited homosexuality at
the time, Wilde used Lord Henry to bring out his opinion on such issues. Interestingly, he painted
him as a character with detrimental behaviors and tendencies. He goes further to paint him as a
seducer who should not be imitated, a damaged Romeo who has lost his way. However, Wildes
portrayal of Lord Henry was hypocritical because he was a homosexual in his real life
(Evangelista 18).
In conclusion, it is evident that Wilde showed great skills his works. He used his
characters effectively to deliver his messages. He brought out his real life through his characters
while at the same time acknowledging the restrictions in his society that denied people the
opportunity to be free and explore life. Wilde presents the lives of many people who would
rather pretend to be moral while deeply immoral through Dorain, the picture of the religious
through Basil and the picture of the pleasure seeking through Lord Henry. All the characters
embody his life in different perspectives.

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Works Cited
Brody, P. (2013). The Real Life Inspiration Behind Oscar Wildes Work: A Playby-Play Look

At Wildes Inspirations. Washington, DC: BookCaps Study

Guides.
Evangelista, S. (2010). The reception of Oscar Wilde in Europe. London:
Continuum.
Raby, Peter. Oscar Wilde. New York, NY: CUP Archive, 1988. Web.
Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. London: Interactive Media, 2011. Web.