The Role of Moral Ambiguity in The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (1890)

The Role of Moral Ambiguity in The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (1890)

Expanding the Roles:
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is a Gothic novel that explores the corrupting influence of beauty and vanity. Dorian Gray, a young man who remains eternally youthful while his portrait ages and bears the physical toll of his immoral actions, represents the tension between outward appearances and inner corruption. For literature students, the novel provides a compelling study of moral ambiguity, the consequences of vanity, and the pursuit of pleasure without consequence.

• Moral Ambiguity and Corruption:
  Dorian Gray’s descent into decadence and sin reflects the moral consequences of a life lived without ethical consideration. Students can analyze how Wilde uses Dorian’s character to explore the complexities of morality, showing how the pursuit of beauty and pleasure can lead to corruption and self-destruction.

• The Nature of Art and Beauty:
  The novel also interrogates the relationship between art, beauty, and life. Students can explore how Wilde uses the portrait of Dorian Gray as a symbol of the conflict between outer beauty and inner degradation, and how society’s obsession with beauty can mask deeper moral and spiritual decay.

What We Learn:
The Picture of Dorian Gray teaches literature students about the dangers of vanity, the complexities of moral choices, and the tension between outward appearances and inner corruption. The novel provides valuable insights into the consequences of living a life based solely on aesthetic values and the pursuit of pleasure.