Dorian Gray Outline

How the lives of characters are deeply affected by one another in The Picture of Dorian Gray


Basic being obsessed by Dorian Gray (drawing the picture in the 1st place)
- he fears that he has put too much of himself into the work. He worries that his love, which he himself describes as “idolatry,” is too apparent, and that it betrays too much of himself.
- He claims that Dorian possesses a beauty so rare that it has helped him realize a new kind of art
- through Dorian, he finds “the lines of a fresh school.”
- Dorian also helps Basil realize his artistic potential
- as the portrait of Dorian that Basil paints proves to be his masterpiece.


The picture drawn by Basil Hallward affecting Dorian Gray's life
- Dorian becomes jealous
- switches lives with the painting
- becomes obsessed as it takes over his life
- ends up killing Basil over it (his own friend)
- it teaches him about the immorality of art

Lord Henry Wotton affecting Dorian Gray (vital role in Dorian's development)
- His pleasure-seeking philosophy of “new Hedonism,” which espouses garnering experiences that stimulate the senses without regard for conventional morality, plays a vital role in Dorian’s development.
- Dorian falls under his spell so completely
- gives Dorian that book saying "“[t]he books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame."
- But since the decadent book that Lord Henry lends Dorian facilitates Dorian’s downfall, it is difficult to accept what Lord Henry says as true.
- that his most salient characteristics—his youth and physical attractiveness—are ever waning
- According to Basil, Dorian has a “simple and a beautiful nature” that could easily be spoiled by Lord Henry’s cynicism.

Dorian Gray affecting that one Sibyl Vane (committing suicide)
- Sibyl’s love for Dorian compromises her ability to act,
- as her experience of true love in life makes her realize the falseness of affecting emotions on stage.
- When Dorian rejects her, she commits suicide