Journal II-The Picture of Dorian Gray

 In this journal, I would like to talk about beauty portrayed in The Picture of Dorian Gray.

 First off, let’s start with what Lord Henry says right at the beginning of the book. When Basil says that he has put too much of himself in the portrait of Dorian, Lord Henry laughs that there is no resemblance between the two of them. Basil has an intellectual expression at most, while the picture—Dorian—is beautiful. Then Lord Henry launches off into a lengthily speech about how beauty ends where an intellectual expression begins, and that beautiful people don’t think, thus remain delightful.

 Lord Henry is known for his wit and criticism, as was Oscar Wilde. Personally I think he is the greatest resemblance to Oscar Wilde himself. Then is it safe to think that Wilde thought the same of beauty? Like what Lord Henry says about art—that the purpose of art is to be beautiful—Lord Henry deems Dorian “a brainless, beautiful thing, who should be always here in winter when we have no flowers to look at, and always here in summer when we want something to chill our intelligence.” Lord Henry seems to regard beauty as something totally independent of moral values.

 On the contrary, Lady Narborough tells Dorian that, “You are made to be good—you look so good.” In this we can see that Lady Narborough sees beauty entwined with ethics. Actually, this view was that of most of the Victorian society of the time. This actually goes further into time, to the time of Plato and Socrates. In his book The Symposium, Plato states that things which are good are beautiful, and vice versa as well. Plato’s words connect with the main theme of the Victorian era, which Wild criticized sarcastically so much.

From what we see in the Preface—“beautiful things mean only beauty”—Wilde clearly disagrees with the Victorian view that beautiful things must be moral and ethical. We all know he does. But Wild devised his book to mirror himself and the society around him. We can see Wilde as Lord Henry—although he himself claimed to be Basil—disregarding the average ideas and spreading his own ideas, Lord Henry by his words and Wilde by both words and writing. There are those influenced by those words, such as Dorian, and there is also the society that stands against his thoughts. In the book this is eminent in Lady Narborough’s words. Wilde seems to have channeled his ideas into this book.

 

This is just another thing, but the book mentioned above, Plato’s Symposium, is about love, specifically Eros. Interestingly, according to this book, the best form of love is when a young boy loves an older man. And when Wilde was convicted, part of what he said for defense was indeed, that people of old, such as Plato and Socrates, had loved young boys. Following the steps, perhaps? But if Wilde read Plato, then does he relates with the homosexual part but not the view on beauty?

Journal I

 Last year, in Literature class, I learned that the very first sentence of a book is worth looking at. In the case of <The Picture of Dorian Gray> the whole first paragraph is a single sentence. It describes the air of the current setting, with an emphasis on roses. As I have only read the first chapter, I am yet to find out if this has any relevance with the book. I will keep an eye out for the ‘delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn’.

 In the first chapter, there are two, or rather three characters. The character that attracts my attention the most is Lord Henry. He has a very strong, firm belief and stance in what he says. What Basil says about Henry is interesting as well—‘You never say a moral thing, and you never do a wrong thing. Your cynicism is simply a pose.’(page 7) and ‘I don’t agree with a single word that you have said, and, what is more, Harry, I don’t believe you do either.’(page 15) But Lord Henry surly does seem to pursue his own interests. He keeps nagging Basil to tell him the reason he would not sell the painting, and when Basil accidently says Dorian’s name, Henry is on it in a flash. Most of what he says has a strong air of self confidence too. Also, the way Basil wants to keep Dorian Gray from Henry caught my eye as well. Basil did say that he wanted to keep Dorian a secret to make life more romantic, but is that really all? In the last part of the chapter, Basil says ‘Don’t spoil him for me. Don’t try to influence him. Your influence would be bad. The world is wide, and has many marvellous people in it. Don’t take away from me the one person that makes life absolutely lovely to me, and that gives to my art whatever wonder or charm it possesses.’ to Henry. Somehow, this seems like it may be a prediction. Given Henry’s strong view of life and his chase for amusement, perhaps he will do something to influence Dorian Gray in a way Basil does not want him to.

 Another thing that is interesting is the relationship of intelligence and beauty portrayed by the characters. Lord Henry especially has a strong view in it. What with saying that beauty ends where intellect begins, that beautiful people don’t think…I understand that he might be referring to how people tend to frown when deep in thought. But still, it seems too much. Perhaps a sort of black and white theory is in process, or dichotomy. I would like to see if this idea continues throughout the book.

Now, to examine the book in a bisexual sense. Basil uses the word ‘romance’ quite frequently when talking about Dorian Gray. Henry also said that ‘Women have no appreciation of good looks. At least, good women have not.’ I don’t want to make any absolute statements yet, but I think these are worth remembering if we want to come back to this topic.

 

The first chapter seems introductionary--the following chapter promises the appearance of Dorian Gray. Thus I think there will be a new beginning.