Do you agree that The Picture of Dorian Gray can be considered as a cautionary tale? If not, why not? If yes, what in particular do you think it cautions us about?
The picture of Dorian Grey can definitely be considered a cautionary tale as it shows us what human beings can become when we yield to temptations and the pleasures of life. Dorian was given the opportunity to partake all that usually destroys the body, while persevering his. In the end he still had to bear the face of his actions. So the books is an example for the Trinidadian proverb "moon does run till day light catch it"
Yes, I believe that The Piture of Dorian Gray is a cautionary tale. As Verna said, it shows what humans can become when they yeild to temptations and the pleasures of life(especially if they do so excessively). It is also cautionary in thatit shows us the negative results of hanging with the wrong crowd as well as what can happen when we are not true to ourselves. Dorian was a sweet, good young man and through the negative influence of evil Henry,he saw his good attributes as things to be shunned and discarded. By refusing to stay true to his good character Dorian ended up destroying himself and others.
Yes-the novel certainly has elements of the cautionary tale, the warning, then the headlong flight disregarding all then ultimate destruction...I saw that in Okonkwo's tale too actually. Dorian's' tale warns us I think about excesses in life - something we learn as par for the course in our society..." Eat only what you need lest you have too much & vomit it" (proverbs 25:16)in Dorian''s case I think it was excess vanity ( so there you have TWO major flaws) that fired him on so to speak leading to his ultimate destruction... the painting throughout acting as the voice of reason, the caution sign.
I agree with what everyone has to say so far. The novel indeed shows how "Human" we all are. It illustrates that we are all subject to temptation and the material world. It shows us that as humans, we allow certain individuals to have an influence or power over us and this can lead to our eventual downfall. In the novel, it simply took one person and his ideas (the yellow book), to shape the rest of Dorian's journey. As readers, it serves not only as a cautionary tale, but more of a wake up call in a sense. It encourages people to take a closer look at their own lives and re-evaluate our actions and the people who surround us.
Hi all! Same story here. It is a cautionary tale warning against narcissism , hedonism and all the ills of bad influence and superficial beauty. What is good is that it is a timeless story since these things are glorified and encouraged in this time as well as then
Dorian Gray shows the downfall of Humanity when we succumb to vices. Dorian Gray was influenced by Lord Henry but deep down I believe that Dorian was not as innocent as he appeared in the novel. he just needed a little encouragement to let his true self show. I believe therefore that the novel is a cautionary because we need to be aware of ourselves and the advice we take.
Dorian Gray can be looked at as a cautionary tale as it illustrates the fall of man due to his succumbing to the vices of the world. It shows how man's constant struggle to do what is right but always falling short. Wilde uses Dorian's beauty as one aspect of showing how easily and effortlessly man can be corrupted.
I defiantly agree that The picture of Dorian Gray is a cautionary Tale. Oscar Wilde used Dorian as a sacrifice in order to illustrate how flawed people's character can be internally and the mere reflection of a person may not come close to his actual hearts intention.It also show that in the world today there are two kinds of people (1) the person who can influence people and (2)the person who is influenced.These are the verisimilitude of life and life's representation of man's ability to choose the right 'influence r' so that they can make right choices. :)
Shenelle, you hit the nail on the head for me...I agree it is cautionary, but also am amazed at the level of nonsensical philosophies that Lord Henry put forth that had the most intellectual of the lot questioning what they believed and if in fact it was right. The strong feed off of the weak and the weak succumb.
'The Picture of Dorian Gray' is indeed a cautionary tale. It cautions humans about the influence others have on their lives and how easily their values ( if they possess any) can be forgotten or pushed aside to gain acceptance. Secondly it is a reminder that beauty can sometimes be skin deep and that persons can become blinded by the external view of an individual which disallow them to recognize the evil that exist within.Furthermore it cautions us about people who preach one thing yet their lifestyles are totally contradictory.This text also teaches us about the importance of 'knowledge of self', it is one's inability to acknowledge or understand who they are that leaves them open to being easily influenced to partake in the vices of this world. Our negative actions may not be seen or known but eventually all that is done in the dark will come out in the light.
The picture of Dorian Gray is without a doubt a cautionary novel. I say this because A cautionary tale always includes some kind of taboo to begin with. So it begins from the get go of the book when Dorian wishes that he could stay young like the picture and the picture get old and it actually came true.
I agree that Dorian Gray is a cautionary tale and Basil is the person that Wild uses to warn Dorian about the consequences of his actions. The story cautions us about our reputations as human beings and this is done through the exaggeration of Dorian's hedonistic life style. Also, as the old saying goes "what is done in the darkness must come to light", therefore the picture is representative of this for Dorian.
I think Dorain's story is a cautionary tale to all of us. Narcissistic and elitist qualities dwell in all of us, but it is left to us to reign in these aspects of ourselves lest they destroy us.
With reference to Oscar Wilde's novel it could be deemed as a cautionary tale. It could be seen as a cautionary novel as Wilde highlights all the actions of Dorian Gray that led to his eventual demise. It is through the characterization of Basil Hallward we are able to identify the novel as a cautionary novel. This is as he often warned Dorian of falling under the cynical influence of Lord Henry Wotton. Through reading the novel and understanding Dorian's actions it serves as a warning to readers that they should avoid egotistic behaviours and vanity as these certainly corrupts one's soul and one could lose view of their true purpose in life.
Hi, yes I would like to believe that Dorian Gray can be considered a cautionary tale, what does it caution about? Choices, for one thing the results of our choices, Dorian chose to listen to Lord Henry, who seem to have the philosophy “do as I say and not as I do, “ Henry does not commit any of the acts that Dorian does; but he encourages him in wrong continually, and Dorian sinks lower and lower, .he could have chosen to listen to Basil but he didn’t or even his conscience but he did not therefore this novel cautions against choices whether they be of friends, or of actions.
Dorian Gray is definitely a cautionary tale because it can be used to compare individuals in today's present society to those of that era. Wilde cleverly uses art to reveal a moral lesson and shows the link between morality and human temptation
The Picture of Dorian Gray is definitely a cautionary tale. Even though the novel was written in 1890 it is reflective of the society today. The temptations that exist for both young and old are unlimited and if one is not certain about who he/she is, then he/she is open to the influences of others who may not have his/her best interest at heart. Dorian was the typical sheltered child whose immaculate beauty made him a magnet. His identity developed over the years based on his interactions with others and as he flitted from hobby to hobby, inception to destruction, he chose to take on the entire journey, the words of a gentleman, ten years his senior, who subscribed to a skeptical and radical view of the world. Praises and positive words were not strangers to Dorian's ears, but he was intrigued by the other. We see this everyday and while Wilde wraps this tale in fiction and science the message is unmistakeable. We reap what we sow and in the end we must always face your demons. Cautionary tale indeed.
I fully agree that it is in fact a cautionary tale! Sometimes people may decide to take the easy way out, unfortunately, its not that simple. Dorian Gray got the opportunity to run from his fears, thinking that he'll never ever have to face them again. But, it all caught up to him in the most unexpected, drastic ways. In life, your fears will always catch up to you. You can't run from it forever. So, face it and accept the responsibility of becoming a better person. Life is not a bed of roses. Things can't always be the way we want them to be but we can still be happy with just the way things are. (I'm not getting my pic to show)
Dorian Gray can be viewed as a cautionary tale since it trully explores the various aspects of our human condition which ultimately define who we are and what we do. Dorian's character is tragic and illustrates to us as readers how fatal human desires such as lust, greed as well as the life long dream to possess eternal youth and beauty may be to us. The novel seems to caution us as it reveals how adamant mankind is when it comes to cycles (namely life and death). Moreover, the novel shows us that no matter how much we try we can never cheat fate or Death as it is an integral part of our very existence.
Yes I believe that it is a cautionary tale! It warns of a life of vile deception. It also illustrates the dangers of aesthetic philosophy as with the character of Dorian Gray.
yes i agree. this book carries alot of life lessons and the outcome of the book shows the consequences. i think the whole image of vanity and how it can control your life along with help from people with no good intention can warn people and show people the reality of a situation.
Yes i do agree that the novel Dorian Gray is a cautionary tale about life. Oscar Wilde shows his readers where the sins of vanity can take a person.The novel shows the depths to which the human condition can sink.
The novel can be viewed as a cautionary tale and this is due to the structure of the plot. As humans, we do not realize the damage our actions can do to our soul. I imagine the same would've been for Dorian Gray, had it not been for the influence of Lord Henry's words on him in Chapter 2. This being the turning point in his life, Dorian Gray (as well as the reader) received a vivid image of the intensity of the damage to his soul because of the life he lived. As such, the novel can be perceived as cautionary.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is definitely a cautionary tale. It cautions us about the dangers of being weak in morals which make one susceptible to manipulation (like Dorian getting influenced by Lord Henry). It helps us to see how vanity and yielding to pleasure can be detrimental to one's fate. It warns us to be careful of what you wish for like with Dorian wishing that the picture would be affected not him. Finally, the main message I learned is that no one is beyond God's mercy and we should ignore the Faust legend because pride keeps you from repentance and like Dorian, you will destroy yourself by thinking you are beyond God's help which is blasphemy since God is all merciful. Like Basil said when he quoted Isaiah 1.18 "Though your sins be as scarlet, yet I [God] will make them as white as snow.
This novel is definitely a cautionary tale. Dorian Gray is this teenager who is now learning of life and all that it has to offer. He represents a typical young individual who has yet to experience the world but is met by a heavy negative influence through Lord Henry. Basil, the painter of Dorian's portrait, represents his good nature and all that is good and full of potential in Dorian. The young man is faced with the thrill and appeal of temptations and vices first hand; they were enticed in the stories and advice given to him by his best friend (Lord Henry). Dorian had the choices of vice and virtue but succumbed to the former. This path lead to his ultimate demise as he realized all to late the consequences of his actions. The book is cautionary as it depicts how that type of lifestyle- an unbalanced and carelessly lived one- can only result in as the cliche goes, "reaping what you sow." Dorian in later years began to accept that he was wrong in many ways and perhaps deserved to die, yet he decided to kill the portrait and with it possibly all his problems. The novel teaches that a person can't simply get rid of the things they initially brought unto themselves. Dorian's story cautions us on the choices we make and the paths we may choose to take in life.
I agree with everyone that it is a cautionary tale and as mentioned before, it exposes us (however ludicrously) to what can happen if we allow ourselves to lose ourselves (sounding like Aldrick). Because of Dorian's naivety, he was influenced by lord Henry but even before lord Henry's nonsense, Dorian became so in love with his reflection that he opened himself up to the dangers he encountered; beginning with his wanting to never age, Dorian chose the life he lived. Dorian's insensitivity toward those in his life in the later part of the novel also shows us that when we divorce ourselves from our humanity, our mortality, we live a fools existence. Our humanity is what keeps us grounded and Dorian Gray reminds us of this.
The "Picture of Dorian Gray" is a used as a product to caution human beings not to be influenced and make actions based on our influences. It shows how people are not always honest with each other and with themselves. The novel then shows the two-faced behaviours that some may possess. The novel cautions that people are always contradicting hat they are saying. Additionally it cautions that one must remember that beauty is not only skin deep. One should be careful as to the choices/wishes they make and ensure that they do not exchange their morals/values in order to obtain what they so badly want in life.
I believe 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' is a cautionary tale. The reason being is that it allows us to see how a person's thoughts and actions can be easily influenced by another. Also it reminds us that beauty is not everything and some people are blinded by this. As a result, it can cause a person to do evil and negative things which would eventually come to light. Thus, it cautions us that we should not be easily influenced by others and not disregard our own values and we must make wise decisions for ourselves.
The novel,'The Picture of Dorian Gray' is a cautionary tale. The novel cautions its readers of the effects of being easily influenced by members of society who are seemingly role models. It cautions readers to be weary of the fact that an individual is more than what they physically appear to be. Dorian's life was poisoned by the influence of Lord Henry Wotton without him being conscious of it in the initial stages of influence. The novel cautions the readers to develop their sense of identity and self fully and also it teaches the readers that in the end, there are consequences of our actions.
The picture of Dorian Grey can definitely be considered a cautionary tale as it shows us what human beings can become when we yield to temptations and the pleasures of life. Dorian was given the opportunity to partake all that usually destroys the body, while persevering his. In the end he still had to bear the face of his actions. So the books is an example for the Trinidadian proverb "moon does run till day light catch it"
ReplyDeleteYes, I believe that The Piture of Dorian Gray is a cautionary tale. As Verna said, it shows what humans can become when they yeild to temptations and the pleasures of life(especially if they do so excessively). It is also cautionary in thatit shows us the negative results of hanging with the wrong crowd as well as what can happen when we are not true to ourselves. Dorian was a sweet, good young man and through the negative influence of evil Henry,he saw his good attributes as things to be shunned and discarded. By refusing to stay true to his good character Dorian ended up destroying himself and others.
ReplyDeleteYes-the novel certainly has elements of the cautionary tale, the warning, then the headlong flight disregarding all then ultimate destruction...I saw that in Okonkwo's tale too actually. Dorian's' tale warns us I think about excesses in life - something we learn as par for the course in our society..." Eat only what you need lest you have too much & vomit it" (proverbs 25:16)in Dorian''s case I think it was excess vanity ( so there you have TWO major flaws) that fired him on so to speak leading to his ultimate destruction... the painting throughout acting as the voice of reason, the caution sign.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what everyone has to say so far.
ReplyDeleteThe novel indeed shows how "Human" we all are. It illustrates that we are all subject to temptation and the material world. It shows us that as humans, we allow certain individuals to have an influence or power over us and this can lead to our eventual downfall. In the novel, it simply took one person and his ideas (the yellow book), to shape the rest of Dorian's journey. As readers, it serves not only as a cautionary tale, but more of a wake up call in a sense. It encourages people to take a closer look at their own lives and re-evaluate our actions and the people who surround us.
Hi all! Same story here. It is a cautionary tale warning against narcissism , hedonism and all the ills of bad influence and superficial beauty. What is good is that it is a timeless story since these things are glorified and encouraged in this time as well as then
ReplyDeleteDorian Gray shows the downfall of Humanity when we succumb to vices. Dorian Gray was influenced by Lord Henry but deep down I believe that Dorian was not as innocent as he appeared in the novel. he just needed a little encouragement to let his true self show. I believe therefore that the novel is a cautionary because we need to be aware of ourselves and the advice we take.
ReplyDeleteDorian Gray can be looked at as a cautionary tale as it illustrates the fall of man due to his succumbing to the vices of the world. It shows how man's constant struggle to do what is right but always falling short. Wilde uses Dorian's beauty as one aspect of showing how easily and effortlessly man can be corrupted.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI defiantly agree that The picture of Dorian Gray is a cautionary Tale. Oscar Wilde used Dorian as a sacrifice in order to illustrate how flawed people's character can be internally and the mere reflection of a person may not come close to his actual hearts intention.It also show that in the world today there are two kinds of people (1) the person who can influence people and (2)the person who is influenced.These are the verisimilitude of life and life's representation of man's ability to choose the right 'influence r' so that they can make right choices. :)
ReplyDeleteShenelle, you hit the nail on the head for me...I agree it is cautionary, but also am amazed at the level of nonsensical philosophies that Lord Henry put forth that had the most intellectual of the lot questioning what they believed and if in fact it was right. The strong feed off of the weak and the weak succumb.
DeleteThat's so true and i am glad that you see my stand point on the situation...:)
Delete'The Picture of Dorian Gray' is indeed a cautionary tale. It cautions humans about the influence others have on their lives and how easily their values ( if they possess any) can be forgotten or pushed aside to gain acceptance. Secondly it is a reminder that beauty can sometimes be skin deep and that persons can become blinded by the external view of an individual which disallow them to recognize the evil that exist within.Furthermore it cautions us about people who preach one thing yet their lifestyles are totally contradictory.This text also teaches us about the importance of 'knowledge of self', it is one's inability to acknowledge or understand who they are that leaves them open to being easily influenced to partake in the vices of this world. Our negative actions may not be seen or known but eventually all that is done in the dark will come out in the light.
ReplyDeleteThe picture of Dorian Gray is without a doubt a cautionary novel. I say this because A cautionary tale always includes some kind of taboo to begin with. So it begins from the get go of the book when Dorian wishes that he could stay young like the picture and the picture get old and it actually came true.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Dorian Gray is a cautionary tale and Basil is the person that Wild uses to warn Dorian about the consequences of his actions. The story cautions us about our reputations as human beings and this is done through the exaggeration of Dorian's hedonistic life style. Also, as the old saying goes "what is done in the darkness must come to light", therefore the picture is representative of this for Dorian.
ReplyDeleteI think Dorain's story is a cautionary tale to all of us. Narcissistic and elitist qualities dwell in all of us, but it is left to us to reign in these aspects of ourselves lest they destroy us.
ReplyDeleteWith reference to Oscar Wilde's novel it could be deemed as a cautionary tale. It could be seen as a cautionary novel as Wilde highlights all the actions of Dorian Gray that led to his eventual demise. It is through the characterization of Basil Hallward we are able to identify the novel as a cautionary novel. This is as he often warned Dorian of falling under the cynical influence of Lord Henry Wotton. Through reading the novel and understanding Dorian's actions it serves as a warning to readers that they should avoid egotistic behaviours and vanity as these certainly corrupts one's soul and one could lose view of their true purpose in life.
ReplyDeleteHi, yes I would like to believe that Dorian Gray can be considered a cautionary tale, what does it caution about? Choices, for one thing the results of our choices, Dorian chose to listen to Lord Henry, who seem to have the philosophy “do as I say and not as I do, “ Henry does not commit any of the acts that Dorian does; but he encourages him in wrong continually, and Dorian sinks lower and lower, .he could have chosen to listen to Basil but he didn’t or even his conscience but he did not therefore this novel cautions against choices whether they be of friends, or of actions.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDorian Gray is definitely a cautionary tale because it can be used to compare individuals in today's present society to those of that era. Wilde cleverly uses art to reveal a moral lesson and shows the link between morality and human temptation
ReplyDeleteThe Picture of Dorian Gray is definitely a cautionary tale. Even though the novel was written in 1890 it is reflective of the society today. The temptations that exist for both young and old are unlimited and if one is not certain about who he/she is, then he/she is open to the influences of others who may not have his/her best interest at heart.
ReplyDeleteDorian was the typical sheltered child whose immaculate beauty made him a magnet. His identity developed over the years based on his interactions with others and as he flitted from hobby to hobby, inception to destruction, he chose to take on the entire journey, the words of a gentleman, ten years his senior, who subscribed to a skeptical and radical view of the world. Praises and positive words were not strangers to Dorian's ears, but he was intrigued by the other.
We see this everyday and while Wilde wraps this tale in fiction and science the message is unmistakeable. We reap what we sow and in the end we must always face your demons. Cautionary tale indeed.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI fully agree that it is in fact a cautionary tale! Sometimes people may decide to take the easy way out, unfortunately, its not that simple. Dorian Gray got the opportunity to run from his fears, thinking that he'll never ever have to face them again. But, it all caught up to him in the most unexpected, drastic ways. In life, your fears will always catch up to you. You can't run from it forever. So, face it and accept the responsibility of becoming a better person. Life is not a bed of roses. Things can't always be the way we want them to be but we can still be happy with just the way things are. (I'm not getting my pic to show)
ReplyDeleteDorian Gray can be viewed as a cautionary tale since it trully explores the various aspects of our human condition which ultimately define who we are and what we do. Dorian's character is tragic and illustrates to us as readers how fatal human desires such as lust, greed as well as the life long dream to possess eternal youth and beauty may be to us. The novel seems to caution us as it reveals how adamant mankind is when it comes to cycles (namely life and death). Moreover, the novel shows us that no matter how much we try we can never cheat fate or Death as it is an integral part of our very existence.
ReplyDeleteYes I believe that it is a cautionary tale! It warns of a life of vile deception. It also illustrates the dangers of aesthetic philosophy as with the character of Dorian Gray.
ReplyDeleteyes i agree. this book carries alot of life lessons and the outcome of the book shows the consequences. i think the whole image of vanity and how it can control your life along with help from people with no good intention can warn people and show people the reality of a situation.
ReplyDeleteYes i do agree that the novel Dorian Gray is a cautionary tale about life. Oscar Wilde shows his readers where the sins of vanity can take a person.The novel shows the depths to which the human condition can sink.
ReplyDeleteThe novel can be viewed as a cautionary tale and this is due to the structure of the plot. As humans, we do not realize the damage our actions can do to our soul. I imagine the same would've been for Dorian Gray, had it not been for the influence of Lord Henry's words on him in Chapter 2. This being the turning point in his life, Dorian Gray (as well as the reader) received a vivid image of the intensity of the damage to his soul because of the life he lived. As such, the novel can be perceived as cautionary.
ReplyDeleteThe Picture of Dorian Gray is definitely a cautionary tale. It cautions us about the dangers of being weak in morals which make one susceptible to manipulation (like Dorian getting influenced by Lord Henry). It helps us to see how vanity and yielding to pleasure can be detrimental to one's fate. It warns us to be careful of what you wish for like with Dorian wishing that the picture would be affected not him. Finally, the main message I learned is that no one is beyond God's mercy and we should ignore the Faust legend because pride keeps you from repentance and like Dorian, you will destroy yourself by thinking you are beyond God's help which is blasphemy since God is all merciful. Like Basil said when he quoted Isaiah 1.18 "Though your sins be as scarlet, yet I [God] will make them as white as snow.
ReplyDeleteThis novel is definitely a cautionary tale. Dorian Gray is this teenager who is now learning of life and all that it has to offer. He represents a typical young individual who has yet to experience the world but is met by a heavy negative influence through Lord Henry. Basil, the painter of Dorian's portrait, represents his good nature and all that is good and full of potential in Dorian. The young man is faced with the thrill and appeal of temptations and vices first hand; they were enticed in the stories and advice given to him by his best friend (Lord Henry).
ReplyDeleteDorian had the choices of vice and virtue but succumbed to the former. This path lead to his ultimate demise as he realized all to late the consequences of his actions. The book is cautionary as it depicts how that type of lifestyle- an unbalanced and carelessly lived one- can only result in as the cliche goes, "reaping what you sow." Dorian in later years began to accept that he was wrong in many ways and perhaps deserved to die, yet he decided to kill the portrait and with it possibly all his problems. The novel teaches that a person can't simply get rid of the things they initially brought unto themselves. Dorian's story cautions us on the choices we make and the paths we may choose to take in life.
I agree with everyone that it is a cautionary tale and as mentioned before, it exposes us (however ludicrously) to what can happen if we allow ourselves to lose ourselves (sounding like Aldrick). Because of Dorian's naivety, he was influenced by lord Henry but even before lord Henry's nonsense, Dorian became so in love with his reflection that he opened himself up to the dangers he encountered; beginning with his wanting to never age, Dorian chose the life he lived. Dorian's insensitivity toward those in his life in the later part of the novel also shows us that when we divorce ourselves from our humanity, our mortality, we live a fools existence. Our humanity is what keeps us grounded and Dorian Gray reminds us of this.
ReplyDeleteThe "Picture of Dorian Gray" is a used as a product to caution human beings not to be influenced and make actions based on our influences. It shows how people are not always honest with each other and with themselves. The novel then shows the two-faced behaviours that some may possess. The novel cautions that people are always contradicting hat they are saying. Additionally it cautions that one must remember that beauty is not only skin deep. One should be careful as to the choices/wishes they make and ensure that they do not exchange their morals/values in order to obtain what they so badly want in life.
ReplyDeleteI believe 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' is a cautionary tale. The reason being is that it allows us to see how a person's thoughts and actions can be easily influenced by another. Also it reminds us that beauty is not everything and some people are blinded by this. As a result, it can cause a person to do evil and negative things which would eventually come to light. Thus, it cautions us that we should not be easily influenced by others and not disregard our own values and we must make wise decisions for ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThe novel,'The Picture of Dorian Gray' is a cautionary tale. The novel cautions its readers of the effects of being easily influenced by members of society who are seemingly role models. It cautions readers to be weary of the fact that an individual is more than what they physically appear to be. Dorian's life was poisoned by the influence of Lord Henry Wotton without him being conscious of it in the initial stages of influence. The novel cautions the readers to develop their sense of identity and self fully and also it teaches the readers that in the end, there are consequences of our actions.
ReplyDelete