The Picture of Dorian Gray Essay Topics

The Picture of Dorian Gray Essay TopicsWith a novel as engrossing as The Picture of Dorian Gray, it is easy to find yourself looking for the Picture of Dorian Gray essay topics. It's all too easy to lose sight of just what makes this novel so gripping. For the most part, you should stick with the core of the book and you'll be fine.You begin the novel by watching Ashton - the glamorous and seemingly perfect heiress to a large business - fall prey to her wealthy patrons. And then, during an occasion of honor, she gets 'poisoned' in the face with a false Swatch watch. So begins Dorian Gray's transformation from the daughter of a poor, non-famous Irish grocer into the famous artist that he is today. The way his story unfolds is breathtaking.For many, Ashton's fatal act comes out of the blue and is something that can never happen to Dorian. But there are others who feel that the story has been subtly hidden from them. Of course, it would make sense that Dorian's journey through a tumultu ous period in his life would lead him to uncover a dark secret or two. No one's story should be left untold, as long as there are millions of people in the world who want to know what it is.In fact, the whole thrust of the novel is that Dorian becomes more complicated than he ever could have been. There is more to him than he knows, and it is his own guilt and tragedy that thrusts him toward the transformation. Though he never really wants to change, he feels that there's no choice but to go along with the changes that life will have him make.Dorian's search for the truth leads him to muse about his past and present, and he finds new ideas and new insights. Then, he learns of the fascination of the media has on him. He meets the famous Sean O'Casey, who reveals to him the danger that is unfolding. Dorian realizes that he has been put on a pedestal by those who care more about what others think of him, and he takes matters into his own hands.The Book of Job reminds us that there are times in our lives when we must come to grips with our motives and our means. The novels are full of such scenes. As Dorian's ability to keep secrets grows, so does his personal need to find out who he is and what he can do to change his present circumstances. He seeks the same things that other artists have: validation, a better view of the world, and even the chance to see the woman who will become his second wife.For some readers, The Picture of Dorian Gray is less about the individual and more about Dorian's struggle to move beyond his story and find his purpose. Perhaps he will become a more reflective artist, whose thoughts will focus more on the deeper truths of human existence. Or perhaps he will focus more on the struggles of his past, and what he has to do to make amends for the deeds of his past. These are themes that make this novel a bit more complex than it first appears.As you read Dorian Gray, consider what you are attempting to get out of the book. Is it to find out who Dorian is? Or is it to see the other side of a character who seems to have everything his own right but who is desperately trying to lose it? Either way, what you decide to look for is the subject of the discussion essay topic.