Dorian Gray and Basil Hallward
Dorian Gray and Basil Hallward meet each other at a crush at Lady Brandon's. When Basil first sees Dorian, he feels terror because he sensed that Dorian's personality is so powerful that it could absorb him. But when Lady Brandon introduces the two, they hit it off and become great friends. This relationship is important because Dorian inspires a fresh approach to art in Basil and is "simply a motive in art" for him (Wilde 14). Basil sees everything in him and flatters him dreadfully. This obsession Basil has for Dorian then allows Basil to produce the best work of his professional life. Basil believes that without Dorian Gray by his side, he could not create as great of a work as he does. Basil says himself that Dorian's "personality has suggested to [him] an entirely new manner in art, an entirely new mode in style" (Wilde 13). Basil's passion towards Dorian also causes him to talk about him in a manner that makes others interested in Dorian, just as Lord Henry starts to take interest in him. This relates to the plot because Basil's obsession leads to the friendship of Lord Henry and Dorian Gray. A friendship in which Lord Henry influences Dorian to change drastically; or as what Lord Henry describes it is, he influences Dorian to bring out the true him.
No comments:
Post a Comment