Analysis on The Picture of Dorian Gray

In the Picture of Dorian Gray, we encounter with moral and ethical issues regarding physical
appearance and inner good. The story starts with beauty and youth that Dorian Gray has,
however his awareness of himself transforms his personality. When he was reminded of his
beauty and youth by Lord Henry, he wants to possess these forever. There is a significant
contrast between Gray’s personality and his appearance upon realizing his physical value. While
he tries to preserve his appearance, his moral and ethical values get deteriorated. For example, he
broke up with his girlfriend because she performed badly in the theatre. Also, he is ostracized by
the folk because of his immoral behaviors.


As he wants to remain beautiful and youthful, his picture gets older and uglier as if his picture
lives his life. However in real life, he sacrifices his inner world and becomes unethical. I think
Oscar Wilde depicts a story that is a huge critic towards society and its values. On the surface
level, people are perceived either good or bad depending on their physical appearance. But their
inner world is seen not important as their physical appearance. Gray’s dilemma falls in between
his eagerness to confess his guilts versus society’s biases towards beauty and youth.