Dorian Gray Narcissism

This story centers on Dorian Gray who is concerned with little but appearances. A crucial event in his life comes when Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton in the studio of Basil Hallward, an artist, who has painted a portrait of the breathtakingly beautiful Dorian, now in his early twenties. Lord Wotton intrigues Dorian with his talk of the progression of life and the withering of looks. Dorian fears of the loss of his youth and thinks in terms of a Faust-like proposition, in which he expresses a willingness to surrender his soul if he can maintain his youth and physical beauty. In return, the portrait will age in his place. There wasn’t necessarily an actual Faust exchange, but rather, Dorian’s narcissism was so strong that it clouded his vision on true reality. Dorian didn’t expect to have his wish granted and thinks little of it given that he is busy courting Sybil Vane, a talented young actress, who falls in love with him. It turns out that, in an ironic sense, Sybil’s being in love with Dorian robs her of her
Allusions and foreshadowing are used throughout to reveal more about Dorian and his characteristics. He is compared to Adonis, a Greek of great beauty, to emphasize on the visual appeal. Another is Narcissus, a man who fell in love with his reflection in a pond and died because he couldn't stop staring at himself. This foreshadows to Dorian’s future in which the infatuation with his appearance will result in a obsession. There is also an allusion to Faust, a man who sold his soul to the devil in return for power/knowledge. This is similar to how Dorian kept his eternal youth in exchange for his soul and moral conscience. References to Sybil’s well-being and threats to Dorian also foreshadow future events. For example, James indicates that something sinister will befall upon Sybil and that he will harm Dorian if he hurts Sybil. This foreshadows Sybil’s suicide and James's attempt to kill Dorian in a hunting