DG: Pg. 215-END

“‘Art has no influence upon action. It annihilates the desire to act’” (224).

Most, if not all of Lord Henry’s theories have been known to be true in the cynical sense. However, this quotation proves to be his most erroneous claim yet. Art has been of great importance to Lord Henry and Dorian; it is evident that aestheticism is something they care deeply about. The portrait, a form of art, is a contradiction to this statement. Upon viewing his self portrait for the first time, Dorian immediately made a bargain: “’If it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! For that – for that – I would give anything! … I would give my soul for that!’” (28). As seen here, the portrait definitely did not annihilate Dorian’s desire to make that dreadful bargain. In the end, we see just how much of a negative influence art has on their lives contrary to Lord Henry’s unsubstantial beliefs.

“A cry of pain and indignation broke from him. He could see no change, save that in the eyes there was a look of cunning, and in the mouth the curved wrinkle of the hypocrite” (227).

This quotation ultimately sums up the many disputes that we had in class over the topic of change within a person. Half of the class believed that people can change while the other half argued that you are simply what you are. The quotation above definitely supports the claim that one cannot necessarily change. Despite Dorian’s promise to change, his conscious remained unchanged demonstrating his inability to change who he is. Though one can never change, this does not mean one can simply continue being a bad person. They should try and change but simultaneously accept the fact that deep inside, they will remain the same person.