After reading the book, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, I find that the major universal theme addressed is vanity. Vanity is the factor that created the conflict of the story with Dorian Gray being the victim. Dorian is so obsessed with vanity and values his physical appearance so much that it causes him to make the biggest mistake of his life. This mistake being, trading his soul for eternal youth and beauty. Without considering the consequences of his thinking, Dorian wishes this and his dream immediately becomes a reality. Dorian isn't alone on his morals though. Lord Henry also is obsessed with vanity. He continuously tells Dorian his theories of beauty and youth. Some of his theories include: "Beauty is a form of Genius-is higher, indeed, than Genius, as it needs no explanation"(Wilde, page 24, paragraph 4). He also adds, "To me, Beauty is the wonder of wonders. It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearances" (Wilde, page 24, paragraph 4). Oscar Wilde understands the way people admire beauty and praise pretty people. This idea relates to the audience Wilde addressed back when he wrote the book as well as today. Our society today is very focused on the way we look whether its in magazines or on television. This is an unfortunate truth that many, including myself, struggle with.
Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. New York: Barnes & Nobles Classics, 2003. Print.
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