Lecture Notes: The Picture of Dorian Gray and Narcissism

Introduction

• Theme: Exploring narcissism through Oscar Wilde's novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray."
• Focus: Dorian Gray's narcissistic traits and their consequences.

Characters

1. Dorian Gray: A beautiful, charismatic young man who becomes a narcissist.
2. Basil Hallward: A painter and the "angel" on Dorian's shoulder.
3. Lord Henry Wotton: A hedonist and the "devil," promoting pleasure over morality.

Narcissistic Traits of Dorian Gray

1. Vanity

• Obsessed with looks: Encouraged by Lord Henry's comments on beauty.
• Wish: Portrait ages instead of him.
• Romance with Sybil Vane: Ends in tragedy, showcasing his superficiality.
• Justification: Values aesthetics over morality.

2. Nihilism and Hedonism

• Influence of Lord Henry: Pursues short-term pleasures over long-term fulfillment.
• Nihilism: Disregards morals, values only his pleasure.
• Corrupting influence: Ruins lives, leaving others in despair.
• Personal impact: Experiences ennui and emptiness, lacks genuine connections.

3. Guilt and Shame

• Conscience: Portrait bears his conscience and sins.
• Basil's Intervention: Forces Dorian to confront his actions.
• Murder of Basil: Marks a breaking point, leading to despair.
• Inevitability: Cannot escape conscience permanently.

4. The Habit of Narcissism

• Ingrained behavior: Struggles to change even when attempting to be good.
• Final chapters: Claims change, but actions are self-serving.
• Hypocrisy: Portrait reveals his insincerity.
• Tragic end: Stabs portrait, ending his own life.

Conclusion

• Narcissism and Self-Destruction: Narcissism ultimately leads to ruin.
• Temptation of Narcissism: Short-term benefits often give way to despair.
• Cautionary Tale: Wilde illustrates the dangers of egoism and selfishness.
• Self-Reflection: Encourages examining our own tendencies and seeking genuine connections.

• Additional Resources: Invitation to subscribe for more on philosophy and life improvement.