PODG chapter 1-2

Stephen Simmons-Uvin
AP English/Mr. George
3/7/10
PODG

"That had stirred him at the time, and now, as he stood gazing at the shadow of his own loveliness, the full reality of the description flashed across him. Yes, there would be a day when his face would be wrinkled and wizen, his eyes dim and colorless"(Wilde 27).

We have only just been introduce to Dorian Gray and already we get a sense of his innocence and naivity. We learn that although he may hold important values, he is very easily influenced by Lord Henry and convinced that youth and beauty are characteristics beyone wordly importance. We discover a lot about Dorian Gray in this chapter, including his wish to retain his youth while his portrait experiences the effects of aging. However, this chapter does not only introduce us to Dorian Gray's fickle nature, but Lord Henry's habit of influencing people. We have previously read books with characters who desire control over others or influence others, such as Chillingworth, Lady Catherine and Edmond Dantes, and the outcomes for all of these characters was more negative than positive. I am not saying that Lord Henry is a Screwtape or Wormwood, but simply a character who finds pleasure in influencing others decisions, and someone who true goodness may not exist.