The
Picture of Dorian Gray definitely has to be one of my favorite novels we
have read this year. Wilde’s wit and clever use of epigram form an amusing and
intriguing message about society. In the novel, Dorian Gray sells his soul to
maintain youth but the idea of this Faustian Bargain can be applied to numerous
situations. Something that interested me is, who/what really determines what
compels us to sell our souls? If our environment/society controls our views and
what we value, then can we contribute our price to the way we were raised?
Personally, I like to think that I have no price (my stubborn personality makes
me feel confident about this notion) but if I ever did “sell my soul to the
devil” I wonder what that purchase would entail. Dorian sells himself without a
second thought; he delights in his deceitful appearance that masks his devious
soul. But in the end he realizes his lies will never permit him a satisfying
relationship, even his love for Lord Henry isn’t enough.
Would it be
looks? Love? Wealth? Knowledge? Fame? If every person has his or her price,
how would the devil win my integrity? Or, do we sell our souls bit by bit every
day? Every time we lie, cheat, steal, or act against our morals are we
investing in the devil’s soul bank? This eventual degradation can be seen in
Lord Henry’s character, as his apathy and selfishness isolates him from real
relationships and leads to the divorce from his wife. The moral devolution of
our country almost makes this degradation a common thing. The increase in
divorce and depression could be linked to this hellish financing. It works as
an addiction, we give the devil a piece of our soul and it justifies us giving
it a little more and more until we are left dispirited and debauched. Once we
start it’s hard to stop feeding the insatiability of the devil because the immorality
feels justified. Dorian’s youth is desired by everyone and makes him feel
superior, like how makeup supports the idea that models are actually flawless
and Botox de-ages people. Vanity is an accepted part of our society, it funds
industries and makes people millionaires. Generally, we, as a society, accept
it and embrace it because we do not make the connection that bit by bit we are
selling our selves and aging our souls. We are giving away our individuality to
conform to society’s model for us, like Dorian Grey. He used his beauty to appear elevated above
society, but it paradoxically made him just like everyone else.
Dorian sold his soul and there was nothing left but
corruption.
What is left inside us?
