Lord Henry Wotton

The Picture of Dorian Gray

This character is by far the most intriguing that I have come across! The conversations that he creates with the other characters is probably one of the best aspects of this book. Henry doesn't have to act a certain way in front of Dorian, he simply tells him his own views on the world around them. Their interactions prove that there is power in what people say and show the effect that words have on other people. These views and ideas are what corrupt Dorian. It is marvelous, and somewhat disturbing, to watch this young soul tortured by the ideas of someone he looks up to. Dorian cannot stay away from Henry and so far in the book has wanted very much to keep his friendship.

Here are some quotes from Lord Henry, they are all very telling of his personality and the reasons that he has such a strong impact on the life of Dorian Gray. Some of my favorites are on this list. His quotes are found all throughout the book, he never ceases to change the way the other characters think.

"What is it that has really happened? Someone has killed herself who loved you. I wish I had had such an experience. The women who have admired me, and there have been some, have always insisted on living long after I've ceased to care for them or them for me."

Lord Henry's view on tragedy is different from any other character I have encountered before. His views are strikingly different from the way most people would react to a situation. While people focus on their emotions and the way that certain situations make them feel, Lord Henry takes a step back and finds a way to look at every experience without any sensitivity. The bluntness of this statement makes the reader stop and think about their feelings on the subject. In almost every conversation Lord Henry has in the book, Wilde describes shock and amazement from the other characters. Lord Henry is meant to shock the reader as well, and he succeeds.

"The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it."

Many of Lord Henry's conversations with Dorian consist of him explaining to the young man that he should live his life without reservations. Lord Henry appears bitter with age and wants to influence Dorian to live as he wished he had in his youth. It does not seem that Lord Henry cares for the well-being of Dorian, he only cares that he uses his youth to its full potential. Rules and restrictions are not for the youth, being young is their perfect excuse.

The Painter Reveals Himself

The Picture of Dorian Gray

"Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter. The sitter is merely the accident, the occasion. It is not he who is revealed by the painter; it is rather the painter who, on the coloured canvas, reveals himself." (Wilde, 9)

The artist, Basil Hallward, is afraid to exhibit his work because he feels that he has put too much of himself into the painting. As someone who has always written, I have also experienced this feeling. It is difficult to allow other people to read, or in this case view, a personal piece of work for fear of criticism. What makes this quote great is that people usually try to relate to the art around them and look for pieces of themselves in the words or characters. Most people fail to notice that each work of art is an expression of the person who creates it. The artist is fearful of any person who stumbles across their work and their judgement. They need only realize that other people are busy trying to relate the art to themselves to notice what the artwork might be saying about the artist.

"Poets are not so scrupulous as you are. They know how useful passion is for publication. Nowadays a broken heart will run to many editions." (Wilde, 15)

This is Henry Wotton's response to the earlier quote by his friend Basil. The smart artist, the one who is looking to make a living off of their art, is quick to use their own emotions as raw materials in their work. I do think that it takes a strong person to write about ideas or feelings that are meaningful to them and display them for other people to see. The best art is that which is true and allows the reader into the artist's mind. Memiors and autobiographies are popular for this reason, but a novel can be just as revealing about the artist. It might not be a story of their life but real feelings have to come from somewhere inside the artist. People respond to these emotions in art, they can relate to them. All art will seem more powerful when we realize that it was created by someone with feelings similar to our own. It is not always made for us, it is an expression of the artist.

My Inspiration for this Blog...

I began reading The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde just a few days ago. When I first picked up the book and removed the dust that had been forming on its cover, I was not excited to begin this read. It did not seem like a story that would keep my interest. I only convinced myself to read it because it had been sitting on my desk for a while and I really had no idea what it was about. The preface alone was interesting and brought up many ideas about art that I had never considered. After a page and a half, Oscar Wilde had my complete attention. After the first chapter, I was telling everyone who would listen how amazing the ideas in the book were. I have always wanted to write a book, and Mr. Wilde has reminded me how far I have yet to go in developing my characters. The next few posts will be about this novel, so if you have not read this book and plan to, I suggest you read the book first! =)

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