Open Prompt (11/11)

1981. The meaning of some literary works is often enhanced by sustained allusion to myths, the Bible, or other works of literature. Select a literary work that makes use of such a sustained reference. Then write a well-organized essay in which you explain the allusion that predominates in the work and analyze how it enhances the work's meaning.

                  Oscar Wilde’s novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray” focuses on Dorian Gray’s change in morals. The innocence once possessed by Dorian is no longer present, and this transformation is achieved through Wilde’s use of Biblical allusions throughout the novel.  The Biblical allusions help establish that there must be responsibility for one’s actions.

                  The beginning of the novel introduces us to a young and innocent boy, Dorian Gray.  However, these characteristics are shortly lived.  Dorian accompanies Lord Henry Wotton who is deceiving and lacking in morals, on a walk through a garden.  The garden is where the loss of innocence and corruption begin; similarly The Garden of Eden is where Adam and Eve fell from grace.  Lord Henry through manipulation encourages Dorian to see his beauty as a distinguishing factor of himself as expressed when Lord Henry says “You have a wonderfully beautiful face…Beauty is a form of Genius-is higher, indeed, than Genius, as it needs no explanation” (34).  Lord Henry assumes the role of Satan as he connives to mold Dorian into his own character.   Resultantly Dorian becomes egotistical and centers his thoughts on materialistic possessions. Dorian’s actions are overshadowed by his everlasting youth and beauty, and through this allusion the reason for the consequences are explored.

                  One cannot disregard his actions and assume that consequences will not arise. From the beginning the reader knows the end of the story based on the allusion. Adam and Eve’s loss of innocence and disobedience toward God resulted in punishment.  They sinned and tried to hide, but God found them out.  Similarly Dorian lives his life without a care, but in the end after causing the death of a young woman, and committing a murder himself, the torture of his sins lead to remorse and his down fall.  This shows that no matter what happens your sins will find you out and repentance is a part of this process.  The allusion enhances this meaning because Dorian’s loss of innocence is related to God, the ultimate judge of everyone.  Readers are better able to relate to Dorian because they know the story of Adam and Eve and the consequences they suffered.  

                  As in the Bible and in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” readers see the allusion to the Garden of Eden and the deceitful temptation from Satan, Lord Henry.  Adam, Eve, and Dorian all lost their innocence from giving into the deception.  The Biblical allusion is necessary to show Dorian’s fall from grace and the severity of this action, while it also directs the reader throughout the novel to help him understand why Dorian repents.   Consequently Wilde’s use of this allusion shows that there are consequences for one’s actions.