Examples Of Foreshadowing In The Picture Of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray Literary Essay

Foreshadowing is a literary device used as a warning or indication of a future event, this literary technique is ever present in the demise of Dorian Gray. In Oscar Wilde’s novel The Picture of Dorian Gray foreshadowing establishes the true depravity that exists within his relationships. Dorian establishes few healthy relationships throughout the novel, and Basil Hallward accurately foreshadows the effects of Dorians true enemy. Dorians relationship with his “true love” Sybil Vane, is in many ways foreshadowed by her brother James, and leads many to see what Dorian Gray’s personality is behind just his looks. Everyone has hostile relationships and the strikingly beautiful Dorian Gray is no exception, but few foreshadow his true depravity as well as Basil Hallward. Many people will have a “control” in their life, a thing that can affect the very way that they think, or that even may influence their actions. For some the control is money, personal

Wilde teaches many lessons within the words and pages of his novel. He shows how humans often become obsessed with beauty, how they become susceptible to others influence, but the most important message Wilde conveys is the idiom “don’t judge a book by its cover”. This is a metaphorical phrase which means humans shouldn't prejudge the worth or value of something, by its outward appearance alone, as many have done regarding Dorian. Basil does it when he first meets Dorian and believes he could never be subject to sin, and Sybil Vane falls victim of Dorians striking youth before she is aware of his true nature. “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is a powerful quote when it regards modern society because wherever it may be, many have not learned to look pass one’s own