“You poised me with a book once. I should not forgive that. Harry, promise me that you will never lend that book to anyone; it does harm” (Wilde and Camille 146). This quote is contained in chapter Nineteen, which is an oral exchange that pits Dorian against Lord Henry. It happens when Dorian flayed by his conscience tends to promise that he is living a reformed life.
Noteworthy, art at this point has no persuasion upon a particular act because it only indicates the dire need to act. Therefore, the use of books, which are perceived to be immoral across the world, signifies a world full of its own shame. Interestingly, Dorian criticizes the yellow book after confronting the person whom he believed led his to a stray. The quote demonstrates that the book had an insightful control over him, which did more harm than good. What stands out from the quote is the fact that Dorian is beginning to moralize. (Wilde and Camille 159), postulate negative influences from the past life experiences; Dorian Gray paints a different picture on what constitutes to accusations.
Wilde’s belief of aestheticism aliens itself to what Dorian believed that the yellow book did great harm to him. Based on Wilde aestheticism beliefs, it affirms that art is neither moral nor wicked. In The Picture of Dorian Gray as a whole, Wilde questions the life’s basis, which relates to the quote and the language employed. Another statement within the quote states that, “It does harm.” Which implies that individual actions as well as their future is primarily propelled by their passions.
However, Dorian is met with criticism from his statement. For instance, Lord Henry refuses to accept as true that the book possessed the powers of doing harm. Although the world is viewed as immoral because of something seductive, the book according to Gray is a shame its own shame. Ideally, the use of such worlds are less convincing considering the fact that the quote presents the same effects that Lord Henry makes earlier in the novel (Wilde and Camille 278).
The name of the book The Picture of Dorian Gray is mostly used to show one’s character as part of his or her innate nature as brought out by Lord Henry’ conversation with Dorian. In the book, Lord Henry perceives life to be something that is conveyed by Wilde’s usage of an extended juxtaposition as well as metaphors. Evidently, the book was believed to be a useful but could also cause harm.
This made Dorian question the determinism notion that is a belief, which says that everything is formulated in such a way that it follows a certain predestined future. Throughout the books, Wilde questions the life’s basis. As mentioned earlier, the words used by the Lord Henry tend to be less persuasive considering the fact that Dorian at latter stages of the book experiences a tremendous downfall. This fulfils what Dorian affirmed that Lord Henry is responsible for leading him astray. Later in the novel Dorian is delightful.
In conclusion, the quote extracted from chapter nineteen is of great importance as shows and forms the basis of developing relationships as everyone pursue pleasure. The quote provides the foundation forms relationships as apparently brought out by the conversation between Dorian and Lord Henry whew Dorian is flayed his conscience claiming to have reformed his life. Life is viewed as a process thus; any interference in the course of life would drastically cause a negative impact in one’s life. Therefore, Dorian belief that the booked had an influence in his life should be deduced.
- Wilde, Oscar, & Cauti, Camille. The Picture of Dorian Gray. New York, U.S.A: Havard University Press Publishers, 2011.
