Coralie Casimir
The Ugliness of Beauty

Dorian Grey is a selfish and proud young lad whose obsession with his looks led him doing the path of unrighteousness.
Dorian Grey is a man who traded his soul for eternal beauty. After, Basil Hallward painted this magnificent portrait of him; Dorian became sadden by the fact that his beauty was going to fade with time. So, he made the fatal wish to have the portrait grow old and he stayed young. Dorian’s beauty was something people admired. This quickly gave him power over the young men and women of London. With his new found influence Dorian abandoned any desires for happiness and only sought pleasure: “I have never searched for happiness. Who want happiness? I want pleasure” (Wilde 202). The best way he found it was through iniquity. He used men and women for these quick pleasures and who throw them away like objects. He was able to do this with almost no remorse because he was no longer the one who bore his conscience, the portrait did.
Dorian Grey is like a drug addict. They live for the constant pleasure but not for the pursuit of happiness. Dorian’s life is centered on his self infatuation and idea that every impulse is wroth acting upon. Dorian became addicted to the small pleasures he would get from people or drugs. His life was centered on having a good time and not suffers the consequences. Like a drug addict, Dorian was somewhat conscious of his sins but over rules his conscious with even more immorality. Addict believe that the delight felt from indulging in debauchery is wroth everything in the world, even ones soul.
Dorian Grey is like Kevin Federline a self proclaimed celebrity who used his wife’s money for his own pleasure, just like Dorian used countless people and drugs to satisfy his hunger for pleasure.

Coralie Casimir
A.P English
Mr. George
A Good Deed at a High Cost
Basil Hallward is a true and honest friend to Dorian; he wants the best for Dorian and stopped at nothing save and protect him.
Basil's love for Dorian might be viewed as something that goes far beyond friendship but Basil cared Dorian like he was his own child. When Basil first met Dorian, he was like a naive young but over time progressed into a rebellious teenager. Influence by the witticism of Lord Henry, Dorian fall into a life of temptation. Basil role in the novel was to take him away from temptation and to righteousness. Unlike Lord Henry Basil genuinely cared about Dorian and would let no harm come his way. Like a true friend, when Basil heard that they were rumor that put a taint on Dorian’s name he goes and confronts him. When Basil find out that Dorian was true as malicious as people pertain him to be, Basil urged him towards salvation: “Pray, Dorian, pray…Lead us not into temptation. Forgive us of our sins…Let us pray together” (Wilde 162). Basil’s reward for wanting the best for Dorian was his death. He was killed by the very person the he loved.
Basil is like a guardian angel. He looks after Dorian and loves him a lot. It is common belief might me that Sybil Vane was Dorian’s was chance to salvation, but in reality it was Basil. His love for Dorian was far greater than any love that Dorian ever encountered in his life. Basil did his best to guide and protect Dorian, but like every guardian angel they can only help you if you want to be helped.
Basil is like Mr. Drury because Mr. Drury is their to help and guide the student of Trinity Catholic High School, just like Basil tries to guide Dorian to righteousness.

Coralie Casimir
A.P English
Mr. George
March 29, 2010
Witticisms

1. Being in a relationship defies the purpose of being young.
2. The problem with education is that is limits people’s creative abilities.
3. A government is to its people what a pacifist is to an army general, completely useless.
4. The amazing thing about the greatest love of your life is that they walk into your life as quickly as they walk out.
5. The only way a prison can reform their inmate is by sucking the life out of them so they would loses all interest of seeing the next day.
6. Gossip belongs exclusively to the lower masses.
7. What does it profit a woman to gain all the riches and loses her freedom.
8. Men love us for our emotional vulnerability. If we have enough of them, they will forgive us for everything, even our secrecy.
9. Fame! Fame! There is absolutely nothing in the world but fame!
10. An STD is nothing but of badge of honor, it only show how many partners you been with.

“In the hypocrisy he had worn the mask of goodness. For curiosity’s sake he had tried the denial of self. He recognized that now” (Wilde 228).

One of the main components to Dorian’s fall into sin was is self denial. Dorian purposely detached himself for reality because he was too selfish to deal with it. Dorian did not have the time to feel pain, sorrow, or vulnerability. He wanted to be happy and life in a fantasy because to life was all about being young and living a shady life which he tried to passed of as great. His life was everything but filled with happiness and satisfaction. He did not have anything that made him content. Dorian had keep indulging in ridiculous thing because he feels good for a minute then it all goes away so he has to keep doing it over and over again to always have the same satisfaction. Dorian was like any old addict, they have to keep indulging in their vice to keep. The worst thing about, Dorian was that he was able to have everything someone could ever want and then more. One must try to get at the corps of the novel and answer the most important question of all, “What does it profit a man if he gain he whole world and lose…his own soul” (220). Well, Dorian did not profit from anything. Because he lived like the character in the book that Lord Henry gave him. He had nothing to work for, Dorian is living life trying to find something that is not there and it was never worth loosing his soul over. Finally years later he realizes that he lived a very purposeless life.

“It is the death Basil Hallward that weighed most upon his mind. It was the living death of his own soul that troubled him. Basil had painted the portrait that had marred his life. He could for forgive him that. It was the portrait that had done everything” (226).

This train of thought is probably Dorian’s justification for killing Basil. Murder is nothing that should be condoled but Dorian feels like Basil is at fault for it his tragic end. Basil painted the portrait took his soul. He feels like Basil has taken something that is dear to him and he had to pay for it. No one had to right to make kill someone; nonetheless, most people have reasons behind the things they do. Dorian lived a life of corruption and felt it was all Basil’s fault. It is kind of typical of Dorian to pass the blame on someone else but it is understandable that he resents Basil for creating that monstrous thing that took his soul.

“I admit that I think that it is better to be beautiful than to be good. But, on the other hand, no one is more ready than I am to acknowledge that it is better to be good than ugly” (Wilde 199).

If taking this quote in the context of inner beauty and inner ugliness, Dorian compromise his inner righteousness with is ugliness. One must wonder if physical beauty is enough to make someone immune to any type of punishment. Dorian seems to doge every misfortune that is thrown his way. One particular thing with sin is that it must be repented and Dorian has no interest in doing that. The odd thing about him is that he spends countless hours thinking about it and would feel some type of sorrow but then he would go back to his ways. When compared to Arthur Dimmesdale, Dorian’s ugliness will do nothing but sent him straight to hell. First thing like Arthur, Dorian thought about his sins would feel a little shame because of the way it id affecting his soul but nothing would come out of it. At least Arthur proceeded to punish himself. Dorian way of dealing with sin resembles Proctor the most. They know that they have sinned but do not do anything about it. Well, Proctor had better intentions than Dorian and ended up confessing at the end. In all I think Dorian’s end will be just like Abigail’s, two beautiful people who indulge into sin for their own benefit and Dorian doesn’t have a soul so it means that he probably has nothing to make him feel the need to repent and inter the Kingdom of God. Also two things that is evident in this novel is that Dorian listen to every word that Lord Henry says and secondly is that, “Ugliness became dear to him now for that very reason. Ugliness was the one reality” (191). Dorian’s knows that he is ugly and Henry is saying that righteousness is better than ugliness.

“Each man lived his own life, and paid his own price for living it. The only pity was one had to pay so often for a single fault. One had to pay over and over again” (194).

One of the harshest things about life is that once you mess up big time is like life is over. Because people are so reluctant to forgive, also one can pay for a little mistake for all there lives. It is not that I believe that someone has to pay for their crimes but people some times have to pay for a crime with their lives. Some times it is a crime they had asked forgiveness for or just do not understand what they have done. One of the most vivid examples of this was Bigger Thomas in Richard Wrights’ novel Native Son. Bigger paid price being black and it was like he was being severely taxed for being black. First he was cheated by the social system. He could dream of flying or having a better life because in the time he lived in none of these things was available to the black community. Because he was constantly suppressed for his color he grown to hate his suppressors the white community, and when they tried being nice to him he did know how to react to that and this led him to kill Mary Dalton. He killed her because he did not know how her mother would react to having him in her room. He acted out of fear because it was the only thing he was taught all his life is to fear and respect the whit community and that ultimately caused him his life. Bigger pay a price over and over again because he was black.

“I [Alan] have no desire to help you. You forget that. I am simply indifferent to the whole thing. It was nothing to do with me” (Wilde 174).

When Dorian’s true colors are revealed, he looses his charm. Dorian manipulated and ruined Alan Campbell life and expected him to come to his rescue. Dorian paints himself as a damsel in distress and is just wanting for his prince to come and help with the most horrible crime. Dorian use to be friends with Alan, and he sucked the life of Alan. The man was talented musician and also a great scientist. With small time he spent with Dorian he distanced himself with music and constricted himself to only science. They started as inseparable friends and then Alan could not stand the sight of him and that ones of his passions died. He met Dorian through music that would give him a good reason to dislike it so much. Despite ruining the man’s life, Dorian sends for him. He was getting angry with the thought of Basil. When Alan gets to him Dorian throws himself at his pity. He begs and pleads with Alan for his help and Alan was indifferent to his words. It was like Dorian’s beauty could no longer hide his true self. Alan did yield to Dorian’s charm or sweet word but had to do the deed because he had a terrible secret. In the hopes of protecting his good name he plays by Dorian’s rules. What is sad about this is that he thinks that he is the man pulling the strings of a puppet not realizing that he is the greatest puppet of all times.

“He began to brood over those verses which… tell of that curious statue that Gautier compares to a contralto voice, the ‘monstre charmant’ that couches in the porphyry-room of the Louvre” (169).

The delightful monster it is in better words describing who Dorian is. He is a charming and deceitful person. He was the man people want to meet and be with but once they discover who he is would not even approach him. He has no respect for anything and has arrogance in his speech and in his comportment. Dorian believes that the whole world owns him and that he is better than everyone else and has nothing to give back. His is like a muse or a portrait in a museum because he is there to be admired and nothing else. What gives him is power is the importance he gets from people.

“I don’t believe these rumors at all… Sin is a thing that writes itself across a man’s face. It cannot be concealed… If a wretched man has a vice, it shows in the lines of his mouth, the droop of his eyelids, the molding of his hands even” (Wilde 154).

This statement is what is wrong with the world’s conception of beauty. People usually associate beauty with righteousness, justice, and fairness, which is not always true. Basil is the embodiment of the societal idolization of beautiful people. Some live and breathe to idolize good looking people. They are so blinded by their looks that they would not believe anything that would taint their good reputation, even if this is universally felt by most people. It is true that Dorian has the portrait to bore his burdens for him but physical appearance will never dictate ones personality. This is true for Dorian. Well it is evident that no one will be able to tell how Dorian is in the inside but it is not a reason to believe that his angelic face is coherent with his devilish personality. For Basil and most people is much easier do deny the truth than accept it. Admitting that Dorian is a wicked man is kind of going against his belief, because the person he has loved for so long would be nothing but a foe. It is hard for someone who you highly respect and revered is like the devil himself. It is so hard for Basil to accept it even when he got all the evidence he needed condemn him. He begged Dorian to disprove what was adherently true: “If you tell me that they are absolutely untrue from beginning to end, I shall believe you. Deny them, Dorian, deny them!” (157). It is very understandable the way Basil feel because the one person I wish and so desperately wanted to be good is the most hated person in London it gives you the feeling of misjudgment and lost. In this situation Dorian was probably someone the was not wroth befriending, just based on the simple fact that he ends up killing Basil, but a true friend that you love is something different and you will try to preserve your friendship and their good names at cost. It just happened that the price was Basil’s life even if it was not to bring his friend to the road to redemption but it was worth the try.

“You [Basil] met me, flatteredme, and taught me to be vain of my good looks” (161).
It is strange to think that Dorian blames Basil for his misfortunes but it is something that can be understood. Maybe if he had never met Basil he never had encounter Henry. Nonetheless, as much as he wants to put the blame on someone else he is the source of his own misfortunes. Dorian was the one who decided to go down the path of sin. He had so many chances to turn away but he was most existed with the feeling of being loved and living life on the edge. What is worst is that he knows the consequences and is very ashamed of them. He hid the picture so no one see it. He is obsess with it and checks how it changes and how ugly it gets but never does anything to change. One must then wonder why he care so much that the picture had changed. Dorian is waiting for a miracle to happen, which fun because most miracles happen when you work for them. Dorian just does not know that the power for him to change

“For the wonderful beauty that had fascinated Basil Hallward, and many other besides him, seemed never to leave him. Even those who had learn the most evil things against him… could not believe anything to his dishonor when they saw him” (Wilde 131).

It is a strange fascination that people have with beauty, a lot of times beauty seems to conceal all evil. Some people are able to hide themselves behind the façade that looks create, and what gives them the ability to do so is the admiration it comes with. One of perfect example of this is societies in the twenty first century. The people who plaster on poster and who are suppose to model normality are the most beautiful people in the world. Plus when you add technology into the equation it creates flawless people. Model and good looking people are idolized in our current society. Also just based on your looks you have many more advantages and this is true for Dorian Grey. Dorian’s beauty acts like a veil in his life, it cover everything his sin and his shame and no one is able to see it. He became beauty itself: “He might really become to the London of his day what to imperial Neronian Rome…had been… to be consulted on the wearing of a jewel, or knotting of a necktie, or the conduct of a cane” (133). Dorian loved it. He would contemplate a few times about what he had done but so far he is enjoying himself. So far what Lord Henry had told him is working out for the best. Dorian is utilizing the only thing he has for is own benefits, but in a bad way. He is using the powers he gains from the picture as not something to become a better person but as a scapegoat.


“He would sit in front of the picture, sometimes loathing it himself, but filled at other times, with pride of individualism that is half the fascination of sin, smiling with secrete pleasure, at the misshapen shadow that had to bear the burden that should have been his own” (144).

It seems for everything that is good it brings something bad. Life is just has a way to never bring about perfection. Everything seems to be flawed in the world, and perfection is an idealistic view of life. Dorian was given a great gift with the portrait, but with it comes other problems. He is able to lock away all his sin, but he was not able to forget about the object that bore all of his sin. He obsesses about the picture fearing that someone would dare see his true nature: “He hated being separated from the picture that was such part of his life, and was also afraid that during his absence some one might gain access to the room” (144). This brought a constant worry into his life. Dorian worries and worries about the picture but what is the purpose of worrying is you will not do anything to change the situation. He has become paranoid because he knows that he is nothing but hallow because all of the internal feeling he should have are being felt by a portrait and not him. Nonetheless, the pride he speaks of is understandable. Who in this world has an unanimated object feeling useless emotions for him? He is one of the luckier lads in London with an extraordinary gift.

“His own soul was looking out at him from the canvas and calling to judgment. A look of pain came across him and flung the rich pall over the picture” (Wilde 122).

One of the greatest mistakes someone can do is to no face their sins and shames in a timely matter. The worst thing one can do is disregard their faults. Time and time again this had been displayed, like Proctor, Abigail and Dimmesdale. The best way, to live a good live is by living a moral life. People tend to think that living a moral life is by suppressing any desires that might bring us happiness, and this is a false misconception. From a religious stand point God gave us talent and life and these are things that should be celebrated. Life is not something anyone should waste but there are limitations to everything. Dorian is going down a same path as Proctor, Abigail, and Dimmesdale. So far it hard to predict what kind of outcome Dorian might have in the end but if he does have an advantage on them because he can see how is sins are affecting him. He succumbs to his desires and then proceeds to blame everything on Henry. No one can deny in great impact that Henry has on Dorian. Nonetheless, Dorian is very receptive of his influence. It is like Dorian craves it like food and without it he could no survive. One thing the Henry taught Dorian was to never appreciate anything even when it is gone. One thing that he said which was very interesting was that the gods could send him another Sybil Vane to help him: “Some love might come across his life, and purify him, and shield him from those sins that seemed already stirring in spirit and in flesh” (125). Sybil Vane was blessing to Dorian and he did not appreciate the power she gave him. When he was in love with her, he was able to stand up to Henry and not fall into his temptations, but she no longer there and nothing is stopping him.


“The love bore [Basil] him- for it was really love- had nothing in it that not noble and intellectual. It was not that mere physical admiration of beauty that is born of these sense, and that dies when the senses tire” (122).

Even if Basil's love for Dorian might be more than just friendship but Basil love Dorian like he was his own child. When Basil first might Dorian, he was like a naive young noy who was only influence by his parents and the small things around him. Now Dorian is like a teenage boy who desires nothing but freedom and constantly claims his manhood. Most teenagers are a the point that they do not want to be told by anyone, especially their parents that they are young or cannot do things. It is the time they revolt against authority and make a name for themselves. Henry is the bad friend that everyone has, he pushes you to do bad things and gives the worst advice, Henry is like the friend that no parent wants their children to have and he is the friend that Basil tried to protect Dorian from. Another thing during this crusual time up a teenagers development is that they do not listen to their parents just like Dorian does not listen to Basil. Deep down most teenager know that their parent loves and care about them but they choose not to listen to them because they believe that they just would not understand just like Dorian believe that Basil do not understand his choices: "It was such a love as Michel Angelo had known, and Montaigne, and Wickkelmann, and Shakespeare himself. Yes, Basil could save him. But it was too late now" (122). Dorian believes that Basil cannot do anything to help him anymore. So, Dorian takes it as a reason to do anything he wants.

“How little can you (Sybil) love if you say it mars your art! Without your art you are nothing. I would have made you famous, splendid, magnificent. The world would have worshiped you, and you would have borne my name? What are you now? A third-rate actress with a pretty face” (Wilde 91).

This passage seemed to be tainted with the most selfish words Dorian has uttered in this whole novel, so far. Nonetheless, one can understand why he would quickly fall out of love. Dorian and Sybil’s love was based on nothing at all. Dorian never loved her but only love her art. She was a great actress; Sybil had the ability to bring to life any of Shakespearean characters. She had a flawless beauty but that way how much Dorian care to know about her. When that was taken away his love for her quickly went away. He love was murdered the some with her acting that night. This shows that even if they were married upon Sybil’s first mistake Dorian would be contemplating how he would free himself from her. Breaking up with Sybil killed her. She could not handle the pain of having her heart broken into piece and then stomped on by the very man she loved. If Sybil had really thought about her action she would have known that her life was worth more than a man’s words. She did not even know him for that long her love for Dorian could not have based on anything. To Dorian Sybil was nothing but a Shakespearean character and Henry brought the readers to this realization: “Cry out against Heaven because the daughter of Brabantio died. But don’t waste your tears over Sybil Vane. She was less real than they are” (107). On the other hand her death comes with a consequence and to Dorian it will be fatal because of her brother’s promise. His revenge will be the real.


“Life had decided that for him-life, and his own infinite curiosity about life. Eternal youth, infinite passion, pleasure subtle and secret, wild joy and wilder sins- he was to have all these things. The portrait was to bear the burden of his shame; that was all” (109)

The portrait brings an interesting aspect to Dorian’s life. Its powers gives him the power to do what ever he want and not suffer the physical or the emotional burdens. The painting gives him a reason to live as Henry’s social experiment. Dorian will be unstoppable and he had no reasons to. Nevertheless, the portrait was not going to serve this purpose to Dorian at first. When he first found out about the portrait, Dorian wanted it to be a guide for good conduct: “The picture, chance or unchanged, would be to him the visible emblem of his conscience. He would resist temptation. He would not see Lord Henry any more- would not, at any rate, listen to those subtle, poisonous theories ” (98). Dorian did not of that. The next day he listened to what Harry had to say and believed him. Secondly, he changed his original view of the picture from good to evil. Dorian is just going to indulge in sin and not feel remorse. He caused the death of Sybil and could even feel the pain that he should be feeling. Dorian just been immune to every form of pain and will enjoy all the benefits it comes with.

“Everyone likes him, and I… love him […] Prince Charming, my wonderful lover” (Wilde71).

Both Sybil and Dorian are taken their emotions to the extreme. They claim to be in love with each other but they certainly do not know what love is. Nothing they say about each is something that validates grounds for love. They see beauty in each other but it could be nothing but physical attraction. What they are displaying is nothing but another foolish high school relationship. The perfect representation of this was in the Valentine’s Day movie, in the depiction of Willy and Felicia’s relationship played by Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift. Their relationship was not based on anything but looks. They were to good looking teenager you happen to fall into a relationship. This is exactly what Dorian and Sybil are doing. Sybil does not even know Dorian’s name but she is engaged to him. It is certainly charming that she refers to him as Prince Charming. It is a little ridiculous because the first thing most people do when they first meet is exchange names. They are not taking marriage very seriously. Dorian says that marriage is “an irrevocable vow” (82). Marriage is a vow for the rest of one’s life and knowing someone for a couple of days does not give one enough time to make such an important decision. Dorian wants to be Romeo but Romeo lived a week after his encounter with love. Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy, no one knows if they would still love each other after a month or a year.

“Yes Dorian, you will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you have never had the courage to commit” (84).

Henry is like Dorian Dark angel. He pushes the poor guy towards sin and indulgences, even when Dorian tries his best to push of but he still comes back. Henry method resembles those of Chillingworth. Because, Henry in a way is destroying who Dorian is just based on a social experiment and amuses him. Dorian is a puppy at Henry’s mercy and will never escape the arm that is already done because it is internal damage. Henry single handedly destroyed any change Dorian has to a normal life. Even if Henry was no longer in his life Dorian would probably still will be bounded to his word. Dorian is stuck in a cycle of self destruction and he does not even know it. Dorian does not understand the gravity of the situation he is in. He is no longer practicing virtues and his vices but he does not know it. One must wonder, what would Dorian do when he learns he is nothing but a social experiment and that his soul did not mean anything to one of his close friends.

“That it was through certain word of his, musical words said with musical utterance, that Dorian Grey’s soul had turned to this white girl and bowed in worship before her. To an extent the lad was his own creature” (Wilde 61).

Dorian who strive to be like Henry is slowly loosing himself in the mix. He no longer has is own personality left. Even if the readers never able the go in depth into his character but now there is a chance we might never know who the really Dorian Grey is. He has fallen into the shadows of Henry’s character and he is down the path of self destruction, if he continues to indulge in Henry’s words. When he met Henry’s wife she was able to see that Dorian’s opinions were not his but that of her husband: “Ah! that is one of Harry’s views, isn’t it, Mr. Grey? I always hear Harry’s views from his friends” (49). This is an important thing for Henry because when Dorian succumbed to his ideas he gains a greater since satisfaction. Someone is slowly loosing themselves to become him has to be rewarding, especially when he previously said that no one can be influenced: “To influence a person is to give him one’s own soul. He does not think his natural thoughts, or burn with his natural passion” (20). This is exactly what he has done to Dorian. Dorian no longer thinks on his own everything is influenced by Henry. Something as precious as his emotions, were poisoned by Harry.

“I cannot help telling you things. You have a curious influence over me. If I ever did a crime, I would come and confess it to you. You would understand me” (56).

One must wonder how Othello would turn out if he never met Iago or Macbeth if never met the three withes. It could be infer that they would had never met there tragic end because their tragic flaws would not have been awakened in the first place. If Iago never corrupted Othello’s mind he would not kill Desdemona for being a whore. If Macbeth never had met the witches telling him that he would become king he probably would had never killed the king in the first place. Just like Dorian and Henry, if Dorian never had met Henry he probably would have never made the bargain with the photo. Meeting Henry was a pivotal moment in Dorian’s life. From the moment he met Henry, Dorian’s life was changed forever. I cannot infer what would happen to Dorian at the end but like the example that had come before him; the ending will not something anyone would applaud. He is probably going to take Henry’s advice to, “Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you! Let nothing be lost upon you. Be always searching for new sensation” (25). Good never come out of yielding into ones temptation. Life is about balance and once the balance between good and bad is significantly tipped on one side it is not good, especially when is tipped towards evil.

“He stood there motionless and in wonder, dimly conscience that Hallward was speaking to him, but not catching the meaning of his words. The sense of beauty came on him like a revelation” (Wilde 27).

Dorian Grey fell into the worst stage of his life, with his short encounter with Lord Henry. For the many years he has wondered on this earth, no one was able to change his life as much as Lord Henry was able to, during the short conversation they had. Henry first starts his conversation with Dorian with his peculiar view on influence: “There is no such thing as a good influence…All influence is immoral” (19). The short exchanging of words between both of characters changed Dorian for the rest of his life. For the first time in his life he realizes that his beauty is only temporary, and that one day he would grow old. Henry instilled in him the idea that there will be mockery that will come out it. For so long Dorian was a naïve young man who enjoyed life and now his innocence was murdered by Lord Henry’s word. No one knows how this will change Dorian but one thing is certain that Henry was a defying moment in his life. Base on his obsession, one can infer that Dorian will not take the idea that his beauty is not everlasting lightly. He will retaliate or even follow Henry’s advice to yield into temptation and not squander his youth. This must mean that Henry might be the reason for Dorian end and it will most likely be a very tragic end.

In the Preface of The Picture something the of Dorian Gray talks about beauty and beauty is something that is changing but at the some time staying the same. A better way to view beauty is in a objective and subjective. Things like the Mona Lisa or the Sistine Chapels are things that are considered object or art for centuries. Someone has to be truly insane to not consider these thing of pure of objects of beauty. Oscar Wilde even says, “Those who find beautiful meaning in beautiful things are the cultivated”( Wilde1). This goes to show that some things are naturally beautiful and man kind have a duty to realize that. There is subjective beauty which is ever changing. One of the prominent things is women. What make a beautiful women has change throughout history. What makes a beautiful women now was different back in the Middle Age and will probably change the years to come.