The Picture Of Dorian Gray Quote Analysis
Introduction
The Picture of Dorian Gray is a novel written by Oscar Wilde that explores the corrupting influence of pleasure and beauty on the human soul. The book contains a number of memorable quotes that reveal the themes and motifs of the novel. In this article, we will analyze some of the most famous quotes from The Picture of Dorian Gray and discuss their significance.
“All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril.”
Art is often seen as a reflection of the society in which it is created. However, Wilde suggests that art is more than mere reflection. It also serves as a symbol that can be interpreted in different ways. The surface of the art is what is immediately visible, while the symbol is what lies beneath. Those who try to interpret the symbol may discover hidden truths, but they also risk losing the pleasure that comes from simply enjoying the surface of the art.
“The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.”
This quote suggests that temptation is a force that cannot be avoided or ignored. The only way to deal with it is to give in to it. This may seem like a defeat, but Wilde suggests that it is actually a victory. By giving in to temptation, we acknowledge our own desires and become more fully ourselves. However, this also means that we must accept the consequences of our actions.
“Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
This quote suggests that modern society is obsessed with money and material possessions, and has lost sight of what is truly valuable. People are more concerned with the price of things than with their actual worth. This leads to a shallow and superficial existence in which people are unable to appreciate the beauty and complexity of life.
“I can resist anything except temptation.”
This quote is similar to the previous one, but it emphasizes the individual's inability to resist temptation. Wilde suggests that temptation is a force that is too powerful for us to overcome. We may try to resist it, but ultimately we will give in. This emphasizes the idea that we must accept our own desires and live with the consequences of our actions.
“The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.”
This quote suggests that there is no inherent difference between good and evil. Everyone has the potential to be either a saint or a sinner, depending on their choices and actions. This emphasizes the importance of free will and personal responsibility. It also suggests that redemption is always possible, no matter how bad our past actions may be.
“To define is to limit.”
This quote suggests that definitions and labels can be restrictive and limiting. When we define something, we create boundaries and limitations that prevent us from seeing its full potential. This emphasizes the importance of openness and flexibility in our thinking. We must be willing to explore and question our assumptions in order to fully understand the world around us.
“The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.”
This quote suggests that works of art that are considered immoral or controversial often reveal uncomfortable truths about society. They may challenge conventional wisdom and expose the hypocrisies and prejudices that are often hidden beneath the surface. This emphasizes the importance of art in exposing the truth and promoting social change.
“Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.”
This quote suggests that beauty and tragedy are often intertwined. The things that we find most beautiful are often the result of great pain and suffering. This emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the darker aspects of life in order to fully appreciate its beauty and complexity.
“Experience is merely the name men gave to their mistakes.”
This quote suggests that our mistakes and failures are actually valuable experiences that help us learn and grow. It emphasizes the importance of taking risks and learning from our failures. It also suggests that the distinction between success and failure is often arbitrary and subjective.
“The only artists I have ever known who are personally delightful are bad artists. Good artists exist simply in what they make, and consequently are perfectly uninteresting in what they are.”
This quote suggests that true artists are defined by their work, rather than their personality or character. Good artists are able to create works that stand on their own, without the need for personal charisma or charm. This emphasizes the importance of focusing on the work itself, rather than the personality of the artist.
“There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all.”
This quote suggests that the value of a book is based solely on its artistic merit, rather than its moral content. A book can be well written or poorly written, but it cannot be moral or immoral. This emphasizes the importance of judging works of art on their own terms, rather than imposing external values or judgments on them.
“The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself.”
This quote is similar to an earlier one, but it emphasizes the negative consequences of resisting temptation. When we resist temptation, we deny ourselves the pleasure and satisfaction that comes from fulfilling our desires. This can lead to a sense of longing and deprivation that can be even more harmful than giving in to temptation.
“The world is changed because you are made of ivory and gold. The curves of your lips rewrite history.”
This quote suggests that individual beauty and charisma have the power to change the world. The beauty of one person can have a ripple effect that transforms society as a whole. This emphasizes the importance of personal agency and the power of individual actions.
“I choose my friends for their good looks, my acquaintances for their good characters, and my enemies for their good intellects.”
This quote suggests that people are drawn to different qualities in others, depending on the nature of the relationship. Friends may be chosen for their physical beauty, while acquaintances may be chosen for their moral character. Enemies may be chosen for their intellectual prowess, which can be both threatening and attractive. This emphasizes the complexity of human relationships and the diverse motivations that drive them.
“There is a luxury in self-reproach. When we blame ourselves, we feel that no one else has a right to blame us. It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution.”
This quote suggests that self-blame can be a form of self-indulgence. When we blame ourselves for our mistakes and shortcomings, we may feel that we are absolving ourselves of guilt and shame. This emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for our actions, rather than seeking absolution or forgiveness from others.
“The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself.”
This quote is similar to an earlier one, but it emphasizes the negative consequences of resisting temptation. When we resist temptation, we deny ourselves the pleasure and satisfaction that comes from fulfilling our desires. This can lead to a sense of longing and deprivation that can be even more harmful than giving in to temptation.
“We can have in life but one great experience at best, and the secret of life is to reproduce that experience as often as possible.”
This quote suggests that the key to a fulfilling life is to seek out and repeat the experiences that bring us the most joy and fulfillment. We may only have one truly great experience in our lives, but we can seek to recreate that experience in different forms and contexts. This emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and personal growth.
“The aim of life is self-development. To realize one's nature perfectly – that is what each of us is here for.”
This quote suggests that the purpose of life is to develop one's own nature to its fullest potential. Each of us has a unique set of talents and abilities, and it is our responsibility to cultivate these in order to become the best version of ourselves. This emphasizes the importance of personal growth and self-realization.
“I don't want to be at the mercy of my emotions. I want to use them, to enjoy them, and to dominate them.”
This quote suggests that emotions can be both powerful and unpredictable. Rather than being controlled by our emotions, we should seek to control and direct them in order to achieve our goals. This emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and self-control.
