In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde uses irony as a means of foreshadowing Dorian’s change and illustrating deeper meanings. The sardonic nature of the plot is well suited to the use of irony, which, in three significant examples, reveals a bitter reality, a menacing fate and a collection of negative personality traits which the protagonist possesses.
The optimism of Basil Hallward, the painter of Dorian’s portrait, provides a positive contrast to Lord Henry’s cynical theories about life. However, even into Basil’s words, Wilde weaves dark irony that serves to expose a disturbing truth about human nature. Basil revels in his apparent epiphany that “‘we in our madness have separated [soul and body] and have invented a realism that is vulgar, an ideality that is void’” (11). Basil thinks that he can overcome this “madness” by painting not just of one’s appearance, but also of their soul, therein creating a magnificent work that is better than any portrait ever painted (11). The portrait of Dorian does at first seem beautiful, fully capturing the vicarious youth and innocence of the young man; however, it soon takes on a cruel smile that reflects Dorian’s soul while his body remains forever a reflection of his youthful appearance. This is exactly the “madness” of separating the soul and body which Basil describes and believes that he can overcome by simply acknowledging the foolishness (11). However, this separation is not a result of “madness” but is rather a truth that cannot be overcome (11). The fact that Dorian’s soul and body remain separate despite Basil’s effort in harmonizing the two illustrates the reality that the nature of one’s appearance and one’s personality are not always the same; soul and body cannot always be harmonized. This central theme of the novel, therefore, is revealed by the deep-seated irony in Basil’s epiphany.
In contrast to the inconspicuous significance of Basil’s words, Lord Henry uses a simile to describe Dorian that explicitly foreshadows his eventual suffering and his dire fate:
It was no matter how it all ended, or was destined to end. He was like one of those gracious figures in a pageant or a play, whose joys seem to be remote from one, but whose sorrows stir one’s sense of beauty, and whose wounds are like red roses (65).
There is, again, irony in that the “gracious figures” which Dorian is compared to initially appear to reveal a positive trait (65). However, this is clearly not true once the simile is further developed. The word “destined” immediately suggests the significant role of fate in Dorian’s future (65). The simile then reveals this fate – brief happiness and long lasting, heavy sorrow. Dorian’s eternal beauty will only satisfy him at a superficial level, but his cruel nature will forever be embedded in the painting that will only grow increasingly sinister. The horrible reflection of his soul will “stir [his] sense of beauty,” make him feel ugly despite his aesthetic beauty (65). His “wounds,” the constant tormenting that he will experience from seeing the painting evolve, will make his soul more and more hideous, just as “red roses” will only wilt (65). In this single significant simile, Lord Henry captures the bitterness in Dorian’s future which will only grow with time.
Although the speech of others reveals a significant amount about Dorian, his own thoughts ultimately serve to expose the most about himself. In pondering what effects the evolving painting would have, Dorian decides that “he would be safe. That was everything” (120). Dorian’s conclusion epitomizes his egotistical, shallow, and selfish yet naïve personality. Again, there is a bitter irony in that Dorian believes that by letting the painting change and age instead of his own appearance, “he would be safe” (120). However, the way the cruel expression on the painting torments Dorian foreshadows that the harm induced on him by this torment will eventually outweigh that of seeing himself age physically. Therefore, Dorian’s simple thought serves to not only reveal his shallow nature that explains the reason for his wish for eternal youth, but also foreshadows increasing suffering for Dorian as his portrait evolves.
In conclusion, the theme of the novel and much of Dorian’s fate as well as his personality is revealed through irony. Interpretation of the aforementioned quotes, especially, provides a thorough understanding of the themes of the novel as well as an indication of Dorian’s hideous personality and his ominous future.
Hey Michelle!
ReplyDeleteI would like to first say that the story of Dorian had an influence on my perspective of beauty. I heard about Dorian Gray only from a summary of The Picture of Dorian Gray (cant underline here) on Wikipedia (I read it out of curiosity), and I knew about Dorian Gray from past comic books I have read :).
Anyway I was very impressed by the amount of interpretations you have made by inferring from the small details from the quotes.
I also think that the motivations of Dorian's actions is not only because he wants to be able to experiment and experience everything, especially the drastic and scandalous ones (which may foreshadow a tragic event).
However, consider this, there is suffering in realizing the shortness of life, and as humans age, slowly they lose the stamina and the convenience to do whatever they wished to do. I think Dorian believes this too, therefore he takes advantage of the "immortality" he is given. Soon, as you have mentioned he will meet the consequences of his selfishness.
It's just something to ponder upon.
wow dorian went through alot in his life, what was so sad about it is that he really couldn't see what lust that he was carrying inside of him, he was so blinded by the things of the world that and the influence of henry that he forgot what was true what wasnt'
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