The Picture of Dorian Gray Pt. 2

Transformation is a major theme expressed in the novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. In the beginning of the novel Dorian is a very outgoing and loving person. He shows many qualities of a good friend and the author also reveals his compassion for a woman named Sibyl Vane. Dorian expresses great interest in this woman and reveals a romantic touch to his personality. This suddenly changes throughout the story when he becomes cruel and spiteful among others. Sibyl and Dorian's fling comes to an abrupt ending in fighting. The changes in the picture begin to occur after this event revealing the cruelty and aggression of his nature. With the advice and the complements he has been receiving the fame and handsomeness has gotten to his head. The thought of him being forever handsome with no imperfections began to consume his personality and transform him into the antagonist in the story. This transformation of his character reflects what he says and does from this point on. The greed of living forever young consumed his life and reflected upon how he acted and how he treated others. The author does a great job in this novel in portraying the decay/transformation of his eminent self. This change over time eventually leads to the downfall of his character. Once the influence of the picture takes control of him there is no turning back. His character spirals down and down as the true greed and corruptness reveals itself within the picture. The final moment when Dorian stabs the picture, he in turn kills himself. The irony of the story is displayed at this moment when he realizes that the picture was slowly decaying his own self image.