Pursuit of Individualism in The Picture of Dorian Gray by...

In chapter 20 of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, Dorian reflects on his past crimes and wonders whether he will ever change and retrieve his innocence again. Throughout the final chapter of the novel, the elements of Gothic novel that Wilde explores conveys the idea of the pursuit of individualism. Dorian’s wild, racing emotions clearly show how much he is driven by his readiness to fulfill his desires under any circumstance. Through this, the use of specific words and punctuation markings highlight Dorian’s personal yearning of removing himself from his past. First of all, Dorian has evidently changed in contrast to the beginning of the book. In this chapter, he aims for a different purpose, to start his life new and pure again. However, Dorian still strives merely for what he wants instead of thinking for others. He is open to any way that can make it possible to accomplish his own goals. Dorian’s good act of leaving Hetty was simply in response for the desire to return to his innocent state. It is written, â€Å"Perhaps if his life became pure, he would be able to expel every sign of evil passion from the face†¦he would be good and the hideous thing†¦would no longer be a terror to him† (211). The way Dorian introduces his act of kindness indicates that the only reason he kept Hetty from being corrupted was for his own benefit to see his soul new again. In all, his actions were far from being due to good intentions. Furthermore, Dorian’s concerns remain solely onShow MoreRelatedThe Picture Of Dorian Gray And Atlas Shrugged By Ayn Rand1463 Words   |  6 Pagesnecessary pattern, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand have vital characters who act differently than society hopes and expects. In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian Gray and Lord Henry Wotton are the main characters who represent the struggle of the individual versus society, each in their own way. Lord Henryà ¢â‚¬â„¢s philosophy is very self-centered, with his own pleasures being central to all aspects of his life. This belief system rubs off on Dorian early in the novelRead MoreAn Analysis of Art in Europe from 1873 to 19132761 Words   |  11 Pagesexpressing at once both a longing for an old world spirit and an appreciation for modern and revolutionary ideas. The century of feeling and realism would culminate, of course, in the irony of Oscar Wilde who understood that all art was quite useless if beauty itself had no function in the modern world. Wilde accepted beauty on the virtue of its own merits signaling a transcendental belief (of which De Profundis is the ultimate expression). Yet, the art world after Wildes death in 1900 had already