Introduktion
The picture of Dorian Gray is a novel written by Oscar Wilde.

It was published in 1890 and has become a popular classic because of its dramatic take on beauty and influence.

Dorian Gray is the main character who perfectly symbolizes the two sides of beauty and influence.

The central theme of influence start chain reactions in which the characters influence each other, one by one.

Utdrag
The quote “Yes.. his painting had quite gone off. It seemed to me to have lost something. It had lost an ideal.

When you and he ceased to be great friends, he ceased to be a great artist” (chapter 19) shows how Basils’ artistic ability changed when his relationship with Dorian changed, thus proving Dorian’s influence over both Basil and his art.

Lord Henry confirms this by saying how Basil would not produce another great work of art, even if he had lived.

Dorians’ influence on Basil started as something good, but Basils’ blind loyalty to Dorian made him not believe the vile rumours going around about Dorian.

That eventually led to his downfall. The negative side of influence centres around the ability of manipulation.

Lord Henry is fascinated by the effect Dorian has on Basil. Added with the innocence and beauty of Dorian, Lord Henry starts to see him as an experiment rather than a friend.

In the Victorian age, beauty gave you attention and influence, which essentially gave you status. To be beautiful was to be powerful.

Lord Henry uses this to his advantage, by making Dorian jealous over the fact that his beauty is not everlasting.

Therefore, the attention and influence that came with his beauty would eventually disappear as he grew older.