In Oscar Wilde’s classic novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Basil Hallward plays a vital role in Dorian’s life.
His influence on Dorian sets in motion a chain of events that ultimately leads to Dorian’s tragic downfall.
In this article, we will explore how Basil’s influence on Dorian shapes his life and the consequences of his wish to remain young and beautiful forever.
We will also examine how the novel explores the themes of vanity and hedonism and how Dorian’s actions lead to his ultimate undoing.
So join us as we look at how Basil influenced Dorian and the consequences of his wish.
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Lord Henry’s witty and cynical advice had a strong influence on Dorian’s outlook on life.
Basil was the first true friend and confidant to Dorian, and his moral influence was a major factor in helping Dorian to make his own decisions and value his own life.
Through Basil’s influence, Dorian was encouraged to think for himself and to take responsibility for his own actions, which led to a life-changing transformation for him.
Who is Basil Hallward?
Basil Hallward is a character in Oscar Wilde’s classic novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray.
He is an artist and a mentor, who has a profound influence on the young Dorian Gray.
A talented painter, Basil is known for his sophisticated and sensitive nature, which captivates and inspires Dorian.
He is also a wise and compassionate man, who sympathizes with Dorian’s youthful vanity and encourages him to embrace his beauty.
Basil is a major influence on Dorian, and his presence in the novel is integral to understanding the protagonist’s motivations and eventual downfall.
Basil is first introduced when he meets Dorian at an art gallery and is immediately captivated by his beauty.
He is so moved by Dorian’s beauty that he paints a portrait of him, which will later become the source of Dorian’s wish for eternal youth and beauty.
Basil’s advice to Dorian to remain young and beautiful forever is what sets the novel’s events in motion, and it is his influence that leads Dorian to make his fateful wish.
Basil’s influence on Dorian is ultimately what leads to his undoing.
Dorian is so taken with Basil’s advice that he is willing to do whatever it takes to remain young and beautiful, and this leads him down a path of moral corruption and hedonism.
He becomes obsessed with his own vanity and his own pleasure, and this leads him to make increasingly selfish and immoral decisions.
In the end, Basil’s influence on Dorian is what leads to his tragic end.
How Did Basil Influence Dorian?
When Dorian Gray first met Basil Hallward, he was immediately captivated by his talent and sensibility.
Basil was an exceptional painter, and his work had a profound effect on Dorian.
Through Basils paintings, Dorian was able to glimpse into the depths of his own soul, and it was this experience that ultimately changed his life.
Basils influence on Dorian was further solidified when he gave Dorian advice to remain young and beautiful forever.
At first, Dorian thought it was an impossible task, but Basils words had such an impact on him that he began to seriously consider the possibility of living a life of eternal youth and beauty.
This was the beginning of Dorians journey of self-discovery and exploration of his own vanity.
The effects of Basils influence on Dorian were further amplified when Basil painted his iconic portrait of Dorian.
In the painting, Dorian was presented as a beautiful and youthful figure, and this further fueled Dorians desire to remain young and beautiful.
It was at this point that Dorian made his wish that his portrait should age instead of him, so that he could remain young and beautiful forever.
Unfortunately, this wish would ultimately lead to Dorians moral downfall.
Freed from the consequences of his actions, Dorian indulged in a life of vanity and hedonism and his moral character deteriorated.
In the end, it was Basils influence on Dorian that ultimately led to his undoing and his tragic end.
The Wish to Remain Young and Beautiful
When Dorian Gray first met painter Basil Hallward, he was immediately taken with his talent and sensibility.
It was clear that Basil had a profound influence on Dorian, as he was deeply moved by the painter’s advice to remain young and beautiful forever.
This advice inspired Dorian to embark on his own journey of self-discovery and exploration of his vanity.
Rather than simply accepting his mortality, Dorian decided to make a wish that his portrait would age instead of him, so that he could remain young and beautiful forever.
This wish was the first step in his moral downfall, as he began to indulge in a life of vanity and hedonism, with no consequences.
His newfound arrogance and disregard for morality were a direct result of Basil’s influence.
Ultimately, Basil’s influence on Dorian was both his undoing and his tragic end.
In his pursuit of eternal youth and beauty, Dorian had created a monster that he could no longer control.
His vanity led to excesses of pleasure and excesses of pain, and he ultimately paid the price for his actions.
Had it not been for Basil’s influence, Dorian may have been able to avoid his terrible fate.
The Impact of Basil’s Influence on Dorian’s Life
The influence of Basil Hallward on Dorian Gray was both profound and far-reaching.
It began when Dorian first encountered the painter and was drawn to his talent and sensibility.
Basil’s advice to remain young and beautiful forever had a profound effect on Dorian, and it changed the course of his life in ways he couldn’t have imagined.
Basil’s influence on Dorian was so strong that it even led him to make a wish to have his portrait age instead of him, so that he could remain young and beautiful forever.
This wish ultimately led to Dorian’s moral downfall, as he indulged in a life of vanity and hedonism without consequence.
As Dorian continued to indulge his vanity, his moral corruption became increasingly evident.
He began to lose his sense of morality and compassion, and his relationships with those around him suffered as a result.
The influence of Basil on Dorian’s life was not only insidious but also fatal.
As Dorian continued to indulge his vanity and ignore the consequences of his actions, it ultimately resulted in his tragic end.
The moral corruption that had taken hold of him had become so severe that it eventually led to his death.
In conclusion, Basil’s influence on Dorian was both profound and far-reaching.
His advice to remain young and beautiful forever ultimately led to Dorian’s moral downfall, and his eventual undoing.
It was this influence that ultimately led to Dorian’s tragic end, and it serves as a reminder of the power of influence and the consequences of our choices.
The Negative Consequences of Dorian’s Wish
Basil Hallward’s influence on Dorian Gray was both positive and negative.
On the one hand, Basil’s advice to remain young and beautiful forever inspired Dorian to explore his own vanity and embark on a journey of self-discovery.
On the other hand, this journey eventually led to Dorian’s moral downfall, as he indulged in a life of vanity and hedonism without consequence.
At the root of this moral decline was Dorian’s wish to have his portrait age instead of him.
This wish was born out of a desire to remain young and beautiful forever, and it ultimately led to Dorian’s undoing.
By granting his wish, Dorian was able to indulge in a life of hedonism and excess without consequence, as it was his portrait that aged and not him.
Sadly, this lifestyle of self-indulgence eventually led to Dorian’s moral and spiritual downfall.
Dorian’s wish to remain young and beautiful forever showed his susceptibility to vanity, which eventually led to his moral corruption and decline.
As Dorian indulged in vices and excesses without consequence, his moral compass was slowly eroded away until he was no longer able to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
This eventually led to the tragic end of his life, as his immoral behavior eventually caught up with him.
In conclusion, it is clear that Basil Hallward’s influence on Dorian Gray had a powerful and lasting impact.
While his advice initially inspired Dorian to explore his own vanity, it ultimately led to his downfall.
Dorian’s wish to remain young and beautiful forever showed his susceptibility to vanity, and this wish eventually led to his moral corruption and decline.
Ultimately, Basil’s influence on Dorian led to his undoing, and his tragic end.
Exploring Vanity and Hedonism
The influence of Basil Hallward on Dorian Gray had a deep and lasting effect.
It was Basil’s advice to remain young and beautiful that sparked Dorian’s journey into vanity and hedonism.
Dorian was especially captivated by the idea of staying young and attractive forever, and began to indulge in an increasingly self-indulgent lifestyle.
He became obsessed with maintaining his youthful appearance and sought out new and exciting experiences in order to do this.
From the clothes he wore to the parties he attended, Dorian made sure to always look his best and be the center of attention.
He also began to indulge in various forms of hedonism, such as excessive drinking, gambling, and seeking out forbidden pleasures.
This lifestyle of vanity and hedonism eventually led to Dorian’s moral downfall, as he was so wrapped up in his own desires, that he lost sight of right and wrong.
He soon realized too late the consequences of his actions, and it was this realization that ultimately led to his tragic end.
Dorian’s Tragic Downfall
At the start of Oscar Wildes novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian Grays life was changed forever when he met the painter Basil Hallward.
Basils influence on Dorian was profound, as he admired the artists creativity and sensitivity.
When Basil advised Dorian to remain young and beautiful forever, Dorian was deeply moved and began a journey of self-discovery and exploration of his vanity.
Basils influence was so powerful that it led Dorian to make a wish to have his portrait age instead of him, so that he could remain young and beautiful forever.
This wish eventually led to Dorians moral downfall, as he indulged in a life of vanity and hedonism without consequence.
He was no longer held accountable for his actions, as the portrait was aging in his stead.
Dorian tried to keep his secret from the world, but he eventually became reckless and careless with his life, eventually leading to his undoing.
His reckless lifestyle caused him to make enemies, and in the end he was betrayed and killed by one of them.
Thus, Basils influence on Dorian ultimately led to his tragic end.
The effects of Basils influence on Dorian were far-reaching and profound.
By giving Dorian the advice to remain young and beautiful forever, Basil enabled Dorian to indulge in a life of vanity and hedonism, without consequence.
The effects of this advice eventually led to Dorians moral downfall and tragic end.
Final Thoughts
Basil Hallward was a mysterious figure who had a profound influence on Dorian Gray.
His advice to remain young and beautiful forever inspired Dorian to make a wish that ultimately led to his undoing.
By exploring vanity and hedonism, Dorian’s wish for eternal youth and beauty caused his moral downfall and tragic end.
This serves as a reminder that, despite our desires, there are consequences for our actions, and the influence of others should be taken seriously.
We should think twice before making any decisions, and consider the effects it may have on the rest of our lives.