Abstract
In this article, the writer looks at the characters Dorian Gray in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and Dr. Faustus in the play of the same name. The writer notes that in both Marlowe's and Wilde's tales of men overreaching the natural order, evil is primarily construed as transcending the natural, specifically of desiring eternal life, rather than bowing to the natural processes of change that are inherent in nature. Further, the writer points out that God's law is synonymous with nature, and both Faustus and Dorian Gray go against nature and embrace artifice and art. The writer concludes that for all of their unnaturalness and evil, the protagonists remain the most 'naturally' compelling characters of their respective dramas, given the unrealistic and 'unnatural' one-dimensionality and weakness of those individuals who are unfortunate enough to encounter Dorian and Faustus.

From the Paper
"The seductiveness of both protagonists' ambitions for the reader, however, has provoked contradictory interpretations in the responses of critics and its more general audience. On one hand, both works seem to argue that obeying God's natural order and law regarding knowledge and morality is best. In short, do not seek to become a magician or seek to be young forever. But although Dorian Gray may read like an argument against art and artifice on one hand, it itself is a work of art. Furthermore, although "Dr. Faustus" argues against magic, the actors on the stage need to make use of 'magic' to portray the morality tale of the fall of the scholar from Wittenberg. This confuses the question of what is good or bad in both plays, especially since the 'good' characters like the old man who counsels Faustus to repent, or Basil and Sybil in Wilde's work, are the weakest characters."

Tags:evil, souls, nature, fate

Abstract
In Oscar Wilde's novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray", concepts of mortality and death are tied to concepts of aesthetics. This paper shows how Dorian Gray fears death but also considers art as a way of overcoming death. He then makes himself into a work of art, while the true artwork, the painting of him produced by Basil Hallward, is subject to all the mortal disintegration which rightfully should be suffered by Dorian himself.

From the Paper
"Gray also embodies the New Hedonism expressed by Lord Henry, another challenge to aging and death. However, aging and death are part of the natural order and cannot be escaped in any way except through art. Dorian does see himself as a work of art, but he lives not for an aesthetic but for the love of self. In the end, age and death come to him because he has not lived a balanced life. Critics point out ways in which ideas of aesthetics are embodied in the novel along with moral issues concerning immortality and the ability to evade responsibility for one's actions."

Tags:art, basil, hallward, mortal, mortality, aesthetics

Abstract
This paper analyzes the book "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde. The characters are described and their influences on each other are discussed. The paper portrays Lord Henry Wotten as Dorian's devil, his evil inner self, and Basil Hallward as Dorian's conscious, his guardian.

From the Paper
"Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" continues to mystify its audience. First published in 1890, it was originally criticized for being immoral. Wilde rewrote the novel and published it again the following year, this time with a pre-face announcing its theme of immorality. Set in late 19th century London, the novel centers around Dorian Gray and two of his "friends" Basil Hallward and Lord Henry Wotten."

Tags:basil, hallward, lord, henry, wotten, fate, beauty, age, artist, portrait

Abstract
This paper discusses Annamarie Jagose's book, "Queer Theory" in relation to Dorian Gray's character in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde. The paper contends that Jagose and Wilde's discussion and portrayal of queerness reflects how this concept is associated to an almost utopian mind state, where the individual has no biases, prejudices and malicious intents in life. The paper assesses that according to these books, queerness is a state where equality and ambiguity is accepted and considered the norm.

From the Paper
"What makes the queer concept vital to the study of gays and lesbians, as well as issues of homosexuality and heterosexuality is that it provides a 'gray area' in which no distinctions between male and female and gay and lesbian are found. Queer appeals to the 20th century philosophers and social scientists simply because it offers an avenue through which gender and sex can be discussed without the political inequality often found between male and female genders and the similarly dichotomous relationship between gays and lesbians. As Jagose had asserted, the queer concept was able to transcend the "natural sexuality" framework-that is, "queer's transcendent disregard for dominant systems of gender"-that society had often used as reference in order to fully understand the identity of an individual."

Tags:gays, lesbians, homosexuality, heterosexuality

Abstract
The paper reveals that although "The Picture of Dorian Gray" may seem to depict little more than a battle between morality and aesthetics, Oscar Wilde's novel is, rather, a profound examination of the psychology of the human mind. The paper highlights the story's theme of tracking the psychological transformation of an innocent youth to that of a corrupt, self-absorbed young man, and finally, to that of a repentant, albeit misguided, middle-aged man.

From the Paper
"Although The Picture of Dorian Gray may seem on first reading to depict little more than a battle between morality and aesthetics, Oscar Wilde's novel is, rather, a profound examination of the psychology of the human mind. An extended metaphor is born the moment the painting begins to register the effects of Dorian's transgressions, whereby the portrait becomes the physical representation of his conscience, and the attic in which he stores the increasingly horrific portrait represents his subconscious. The act of hiding the painting, so that neither he nor others may witness the continual corruption of his soul, reflects Dorian's endeavor to suppress his conscience, and ignore this intrinsic alarm's function to keep his actions in check."

Tags:psychology, mind, portrait, painting, guilt, repentance

Abstract
This paper discusses several aspects of the central theme of "The Picture of Dorian Gray". The portrait and the soul are identified as being synonymous, so that Dorian is affected not by an object, but by his own true image.

Abstract
This paper discusses Oscar Wilde's play, "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and how the origins of sin are presented in the play. The paper uses examples from the play to show how, for Wilde, sin has its origin in awareness and knowledge of desire, just like the fall from grace in Eden. The paper explains how the main character, Dorian, becomes sinful in his knowledge and his awareness of his own beauty and this leads to his downfall.

From the Paper
"Again, there is scarlet, but this is the scarlet of blood letting, not an innocent blush of the young Dorian's lips. Once again, at the words of Lord Henry, even the older and more jaded Dorian is moved to tremble. He blanches at the sight of the picture, but for a different reason, because he can see the monster he has become, rather than fears the passage of age as he did as a young man. His own portrait is described as loathsome, like a serpent, and the diction of the passage is Biblical and elevated, "the scarlet of blood," "desire," and "scarlet dew" as a euphemism for blood."

Tags:desire eden, literary parallel, homoerotic hedonism, blood

Abstract
The paper analyzes how Wilde explores the themes of youth, beauty, art and influence to expose the superficial ideas of a society leaning toward vanity. The paper looks at how Wilde incorporates motifs and symbolism in the novel to enhance his themes and to expose the weakness of man.

From the Paper
"Desire is a powerful, often devastating, force. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde demonstrates just how powerful a force desire can be through the life of Dorian Gray. He is influenced and affected by desire in a dramatic way that leads to the eventual destruction of his life. Dorian becomes the focal point of the novel, in which his desire is to remain forever young. He is influenced by the picture that Basil presents to him and by the words of lord Henry. After a fatal wish, the picture begins to age, leaving Dorian to retain his wholesome good looks. While this is exactly what Dorian wishes for, he does not consider the ramifications of what has occurred. His youth leads him on a journey of decadence and sheer pleasure for the sake of pleasure - a path that ultimately leads him to commit the seven deadly sins."

Tags:youth, vanity, looks, beauty, art, desire, influence

Abstract
This paper examines the themes of Oscar Wilde's novel, "Dorian Grey", by analyzing specific quotes. The main theme explored in this essay is the immorality of vanity. The author goes on to describe how the symbolism and imagery in the novel illustrate this theme.

From the Paper
"'If it was I who were to be always young, and the picture that were to grow old! For this--for this--I would give everything!' This quote introduces the theme of the portrait that is eventually Dorian's downfall. Dorian's emphasis on the fact that he would give everything for the chance to stay young is particularly important here, because his offhanded trading of his soul for his good looks emphasizes the novel's theme that morality and the soul are valued far below charm and good looks. Additionally, this passage foreshadows the events to come; for Dorian to say that he would give everything is suspicious, and the reader immediately wonders what he would not give. The answer to this question comprises the remainder of the novel."

Tags:oscar, wilde, the, picture, of, dorian, grey, vanity, soul, appearance, lord, henry, literature, morality

Abstract
The paper relates that the stigma against gays and lesbians and transgenders grows more severe in their aging polpulations. The paper discusses how there are legal consequences for care without a "family" member, and there are those who ignore aging gays and lesbians because of loss of physical and sexual appeal. The paper reveals that many lesbians and gays may have to hide their sexual orientation because of fears of discrimination in health care facilities and lack of family support.

From the Paper
"There is the continuing myth among less knowledgeable critics that gay and lesbian life is all about youth and beauty and carefree sexual; adventures. Especially worrisome is the notion that the process of aging is anathema. For proof, one can fall back on two works of fiction, Thomas Mann's "Death in Venice," and Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray". There is no doubt that, among some gays and lesbians, getting older, finding wrinkles and bulges where once there were none, losing hair on top and gaining some in ears has created a stigma. For some that stigma is being ignored in favor of someone younger. This is not strictly a..."

Tags:lesbians, gay, stigma