Amazing life lessons from 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'
What's the story
Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray presents a deep understanding of human nature and morality. The novel deals with the themes of vanity, influence and what happens as a result of our actions.
The story of Dorian Gray prompts readers to reflect upon their own lives, their choices.
Here are five important life lessons that we can learn from this classic.
Vanity's trap
The perils of vanity
's obsession with his own beauty takes him down a path of moral decay.
The novel demonstrates how excessive vanity can cloud judgment and lead to destructive behavior.
It's a reminder that focusing too much on external appearances can result in neglecting one's inner self.
Power of influence
Influence and its consequences
The character Lord Henry Wotton proves just how far one person has the potential to affect another's life.
His influence over Dorian serves as a constant reminder to be mindful about who we let shape our thoughts and actions.
It's an important lesson that emphasizes the need for critical thinking when ingurgitating ideas from others.
Youth's illusion
The illusion of eternal youth
Dorian's obsessive desire to remain young brings him to a tragic end.
The Picture of Dorian Gray warns against the unending pursuit of eternal youth. It highlights that growing old is an inevitable part of life. It should be embraced and not dreaded or avoided.
The tale is a bitter reminder. The quest for everlasting youth can have disastrous consequences. It implores readers to embrace and love the natural process of growing old.
Accountability counts
Moral responsibility matters
In The Picture of Dorian Gray, the story delves into the intricacies of moral responsibility.
Dorian Gray's unwavering denial of his sins leads him further down the path of corruption.
This element of the tale highlights the need for taking responsibility to maintain moral and ethical values.
It's a powerful reminder that honesty in owning up to our actions is what defines us.
Inevitable outcomes
Consequences are inevitable
Dorian's story further shows how one can never escape actions having consequences, whether immediate or far-fetched.
His attempts at running away from consequences only land him deeper in trouble, over time, emphasizing that consequences are an inescapable part of life, the decisions that people make every day.