As The Picture of Dorian Gray opens, Basil describes the
beautiful Dorian as his artistic muse
, a person who is changing the way he sees the world. After Dorian sells his soul to the devil, the morally well-balanced Basil functions as Dorian's conscience, which means that Dorian more or less banishes him from his life.
How does Basil feel about Dorian?
Basil speaks at length about Dorian, stating that
he is charming
, but also that “Now and then, however, he is horribly thoughtless, and seems to take a real delight in giving me pain.” This characterization links Dorian with Lord Henry as a manipulator and foreshadows their close relationship later in the story.
Why is Basil obsessed with Dorian?
Basil Hallward is a talented, though somewhat conventionally minded, painter. … Once he has painted Dorian as he truly is, however, 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.
Does Basil have a crush on Dorian?
Basil also appears to be quite possessive of Dorian, not wanting to introduce him to Lord Henry.
He gets jealous
when Dorian and Lord Henry appear to be fond of each other, and tries to get Lord Henry to leave.
Is Dorian Gray and Basil Hallward relationship?
Basil Hallward, the artist who had painted the picture of Dorian Gray, probably has
a homosexual attachment to the young Dorian
. … He admits to Lord Henry that “he is much more to me(Basil) than a model or a sitter.”In his deep consciousness, he is quite possessive and self-contemptuous.
How does Dorian feel after killing Basil?
After murdering Basil, Dorian feels how corrupt he has become, he
feels guilt and tries to push the emotion away
. He knew his soul was “sick to death”, he knew he could not be forgiven so he tries to forget (Wilde 117).
What does Basil represent in Dorian Gray?
Sweet Basil
If Lord Henry is the Devil's advocate, then Basil Hallward is God's. He's
an eternal idealist who truly believes in the innate goodness of mankind
. Basil refuses to believe that his supposed friends, Henry and Dorian, can be really bad.
Did Dorian Gray kiss basil in the book?
The most explicit scene in the novel is Basil's confessional monologue in a private salon, where he professes his devotion to Dorian. … Instead of subtly leading Basil to his confession,
Dorian steers the conversation away by kissing Basil
, who eventually gives in to his passion and succumbs to a sexual encounter.
What is Dorian Gray Syndrome?
Dorian Gray Syndrome (DGS) denotes
a cultural and societal phenomenon characterized by an excessive preoccupation with the individual's own appearance
(dysmorphophobia) accompanied by difficulties coping with the aging process and with the requirements of maturation.
What does Basil Hallward symbolize?
The character Basil Hallward represents
Oscar Wilde's own homosexual alter ego
. the part of his personality that admires and is attracted to beautiful men. Basil also represents the artist in Wilde and conveys his opinions on beauty and this aesthetic movement in art.
Is the picture of Dorian Gray a banned book?
Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray is one of those books that's been nothing but trouble since it was first published.
It has been banned, demonized
, and was once used as evidence in a trial held against Wilde.
How old is basil in Dorian Gray?
| Basil Hallward | Age 39 (Physical age: 39) | Gender Male | Race Supernatural | DOB” “‘ October 16, 1854 |
|---|
Is Dorian Gray in love with Lord Henry?
Men do have relationships with women in the novel—
Dorian falls in love with Sibyl and Lord Henry himself is married
—but the novel's heterosexual relationships prove to be rather superficial and short-lived. If the novel is homoerotic, it is also misogynistic.
Why is The Picture of Dorian Gray Gothic?
Specifically, a curse, supernatural elements, a Byronic hero, a hidden chamber, and
horrific crimes lend
a Gothic feel to the novel. The curse takes a surprising form in this novel. Rather than being a familial curse that plagues the main character, the curse comes out of Dorian's own mouth as a fleeting wish.
What is the nature of friendship in The Picture of Dorian Gray?
As in life, everyone has different ideas about the nature of friendship in The Picture of Dorian Gray. To some, it entails great things like
devotion, admiration, and loyalty
– but, to others, it means a kind of relationship of mutual interest and temporary companionship.
Why was Basil killed?
Dorian Gray kills Basil
after the artist has viewed the portrait he once painted and sees in it the depravity of soul
which has overtaken the once beautiful and untainted young man. … Influenced by Lord Henry's words, Dorian wishes that he would remain young while the portrait would age.
