Persuasion In Joseph Conrad's Heart Of Darkness And The Picture Of Dorian Gray

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Influenced to Death The sun was shining brilliantly when Dylan saw her for the first time. There wasn’t another soul to be found in the park, and her hand was outstretched invitingly when she asked him to follow her. He didn’t know what it was that possessed him to accept this mysterious offer, but despite his apprehension, he did. The next morning, he was found dead. This story highlights the fact that humans are often influenced to do that which they would not normally do, especially when they are alone. This idea of persuasion is present in many works of literature, such as Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. In both, the protagonists tend to isolate themselves, as they fear who they have become through their greedy actions. Their isolation makes them more prone to be negatively influenced, which ultimately leads to their destruction. This is proven through the men’s internal struggles over whether to rebel, to be opportunistic, or to surrender to despair. Furthermore, it is shown through the themes of fear, transformation, and glorification. Finally, it is presented through the central metaphors of the Congo River and the painting of Dorian Gray. First, the men’s deaths in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray are caused by their vulnerability to negativity when they are alone. This is evident through the men’s experience with whether to revolt, to be strategic, or to submit to

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