A Picture of Dorian Gray
...asil finds something different about Dorian. Hesees him in adifferent way than he sees other men. Dorian is not only beautiful toBasil, but he is alsogentle and kind. This is when Basil falls in love with him and beginsto paint the picture. Basil begins painting the picture, but does not tell anyone about it,includingDorian, because he knows that there is too much of himself in it. LordHenry discoversthe painting and asks Basil why he will not display it. Lord Henrythinks that it is sobeautiful it should be displayed in a museum. Basil argues that thereason he will notdisplay the painting is because he is "afraid that [he] has shown in itthe secret of his soul" (Wilde 23). This is another paradox because hehas not only shown the secret ofhis soul, but the painting eventually comes to show the secret ofDorian's soul also. Inthe preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde explains that "toreveal art and concealthe artist is art's aim" (Wilde 17). Basil realizes that he has notconcealed himself in thepainting and therefore feels the painting is not worth anything. AfterLord Henry sees thepainting, he asks to meet Dorian. Basil says that would not be goodbecause his"influence would be bad" (Wilde 31). Basil is correct in saying thisbecause Lord Henryis the main person who helps Dorian to destroy himself. Lord Henrydisregards Basil'srequest and meets Dorian anyway. This is the beginning of the end forboth Dorian andBasil because Lord Henry's influence pollutes Dorian. Lord Henry tauntsDorian andcontinues to remind him of all the sin that is building up and that eventhough his body isnot aging, his soul is deteriorating fast. When Basil notices that Dorian has not changed physically in manyyears, he iscurious to know how Dorian stayed beautiful, but also wants to know whyDorian haschanged so much emotionally. Basil does not have the painting ondisplay, but ratherkeeps it in the attic. When Dorian comes over one day, he and Basil aretalking whenBasil asks, "I wonder do I know you? Before I could answer that, Ishould have to seeyour soul." (Wilde 216) Dorian goes into a rage and takes Basilupstairs to see his soulwhich is concealed in the painting. When Basil sees the painting whichis bloody andatrocious looking, he cannot believe that he painted it. Dorianreassures him that it isindeed Basil's painting. In that painting is all of Dorian's hate,fear, and sadness...