Extended Essays 2021

emotions. As could be predicted due to Dorian Gray’s impressionable nature, the book acts as

a symbol for the poisonous influences of Lord Henry.

Dorian Gray is consumed by the book’s hedonistic message and uses it as a ‘bible’ to guide his ‘ prodigal way of life ’ 39 . Furthermore, Gray partakes in the sinful pleasures of love affairs,

opium and theatrical spectacles, distracting himself from his own conscience and the

repercussions of his actions, (i.e. decaying of his soul). Therefore, Lord Henry, as a symbolic

incarnation of Mephistopheles, is at fault for the corruption of Dorian Gray, thus rendering

Gray’s body and soul as incompatible components and in conflict with the aforementioned

ideals of true beauty.

Conclusion

Although the religious subtext present in the novel is implicit, it holds significant negative

correlation with the concept of theological aesthetics and aids in effecting contrast between

Dorian Gray’s body and soul, through the use of literary features. As Gray’s body and soul

are dissonant beings, the character is in direct contrast with what is stated in theological

aesthetics, therefore, rendering him ‘unattractive’ through this concept. Furthermore, t his has

been explored through the use of Transubstantiation in which the portrait becomes a symbolic

representation of his soul, while his physical being remains unaltered. However, it is not only

structured religion which drives Wilde’s exploration of theological aesthetics. Through the

employment of classical notions and folklore, the author draws upon several aspects of the

Hellenistic Ideal and the Faustian Bargain to establish the relationship between Gray’s body

and soul. In the Hellenistic Ideal, beauty was presented as a valuable commodity, and the

discrepancy between Gray’s sense of virtue and his outward appearance was demonstrated.

Additionally, the Faustian Bargain signified the rendering of Gray’s soul and body as

discordant factors of the character’s being, therefore moving Gray away from the o ptimal

representation of beauty stated in the Hellenistic Ideal. In presenting the religious subtext

through several literary features, the work is of an exciting and exploratory nature, in which

the unique perspective of spiritual concepts is utilised to prove Dorian Gray’s correlation

with theological aesthetics and establish the disparity between his soul and body.

39 Shea, C. M., n.d. Fallen Nature and Infinite Desire A Study of Love, Artifice, and Transcendence in Joris-Karl Huysmans's À rebours and Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. [Online]

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