PODG Ch. 4

Stephen Simmons-Uvin
Ap English/Mr. George
3/9/10
PODG

"It was to tell him[Henry] that he[Dorian] was engaged to be married to Sibyl Vane"(63).

Thus far in the novel Dorian has grown very close to Lord Henry, as we all know, and seems to be transforming into a younger Henry, accepting and retaining all of the old mans ideas and philosophies and utilizing them himself. Although Dorian will pretty much believe anything, one trait in particular, of Harry's, seemed to get the best of Dorian. This was Harry's obsession with manipulation and controlling others. It may seem as if Dorian has fallen deeply in love with the beautiful actress, Sibyl Vane, but there is a fine line between wanting someone for love and wanting someone for control and an art or skill that they possess. It seems as if Dorian simply wants to manage Sibyl's talent, not her love. "We must get her out of the Jew's hands...[and] take a West End Theater and bring her out properly"(59) exclaimed Dorian after commenting on her many talents. Sibyl is simply an act to Dorian, with additional beauty to top it off. The more time he spends with Harry, the more he becomes Harry and the more interesting Dorian becomes. In conclusion, Dorian is also establishing himself as a man who can think on his own, disagreeing with Harry's take on women and marriage, but more often then not, he thinks through other people.

"To a large extent, the lad was his own creation"(61).

What I want to emphasize the most in this quote is the word creation. The concept of creation is no stranger to the novel and can be simply translated into the word "art". As we read in the preface, art directly mirrors the spectator, and as we have learned through Basil's portrait of Dorian, this does not seem to always be true. However, the importance is not whether or not the painting reflects the spectator, but how frequently it turns up in the novel. Everyone is someones artwork. Dorian is Harry's work of art, but more literally, Basil's work of art. Henry is the societies work of art, created with all aspects and understanding of society. The greater idea behind this is that everyone is someones work of art, and as we have so vaguely learned from the preface, the artist conceals himself in his work, which serves no divine purpose. Harry conceals himself in Dorian, Basil conceals himself in Dorian's portrait, and society conceals itself in the very few members of that society such as Lord Henry. Furthermore, Wilde conceals himself through his characters, or so it may seem. This entire novel is about art and creation, and how those artworks and creations exist and are viewed in society. "To reveal art and conceal the artist is art's aim,"(1) Wilde states in the Preface. However, one day those secrets will be revealed and true works of art, whether they be vibrant portraits with canvas and oak framing, or paintings with flesh and a beating heart, will be no more.