Oscar Wilde describes a young man who is beautiful but has a dark secret in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Dorian Gray’s portrait will continue to degenerate as he continues to commit wrongs. Dorian acts according to his will, unaffected by the corruption that has afflicted him. He performs many unspeakable deeds which he should never disclose. Wilde explores, in the entire novel, the theme that secrecy is powerful, and Dorian only serves as one example. Secrecy has an enormous impact on all major characters, not just Dorian. Secrecy dictates the characters’ relationships, their motivations, and their deaths.
The novel is built on secrecy. “When in love, you always begin by deceiving yourself, and always end up deceiving other people” (Wilde). Lord Henry claims that marriage has a certain charm. “The only charm is that both partners are forced to deceive each other” (Wilde). Victoria appears to be unaware of Lord Henry, despite his doubtful assertions. “I’ve always heard Harry’s point of view from Harry’s friends. It is only through their friends that I am able to learn more about them. (Wilde. Sybil Vane and Dorian’s friendship is not an exception. Dorian falls for her characters, and not the person she is. “Never… was she Sibyl vane” (Wilde 200). Dorian, however, is angry with disappointment when she reveals to him her true identity and behaves badly. “You killed my romance… You ruined my life’s romance” (Wilde, 237). Dorian seems to believe that Sybil is any tragic heroine Shakespeare ever created, even before she reveals the truth. When she reveals herself as a child, all of his fantasies are destroyed. “You used stirred my imagination. Now you don’t even stir my curiosity” (Wilde, 236). Dorian ends the relationship once the mystery and fantasy created by Sybil’s secretive nature is gone.
Secrecy is a strong bonding force that binds all characters of the novel. Dorian’s true nature is not known to anyone in high society at first. In the beginning, they accept him because he is a charming man. As rumors spread about his immorality, “these whispered secrets only increased his strange and dangerous appeal” (Wilde 299). The rumors about his criminal activities are known, but the specifics are not. The secrecy of his life makes him more appealing, and it gives him an air of mystery.
However, these relationships are over once these secrets are revealed. Dorian’s secrecy may be appealing to those that only hear about his crimes. Those who know of his crimes, however, “those closest to him seemed…to shun him”(Wilde 299). Once one of Dorian’s secrets is revealed, his true character is exposed, and it is not charming. The soul of Dorian is revealed in all its naive, evil form. They no longer find him attractive. Dorian understands the importance of keeping his secrets a secret. He is paranoid about anyone discovering the painting. Lord Henry, you don’t really know me. If you really knew me, I’m sure you’d be angry with me.
Alan Campbell is the best example of how secrecy has both an attraction and a finality. Alan Campbell is refusing to hear Dorian’s story about Basil’s death. “Stop, Gray. I don’t care to know more… I totally decline to become involved in your world” (Wilde 328). Alan may have realized that Dorian would be attracted to Alan if he knew his secrets, as other people are to Alan’s mysteriousness. Dorian uses blackmail to get him to help him destroy the evidence. It is not clear what the exchange was, but one can assume that Dorian’s letter would reveal something about Alan. Then, after the horrific act is performed, he kills himself that night in his own laboratory. Unable to bear what now has become Dorian and Alan’s secret, he was unable. His knowledge of Dorian’s secret, and Dorian knowing his, ends the relationship between them indirectly.
The secrets of all the main characters are revealed. Basil, for example, is described as a mysterious artist who secretly finds Dorian attractive. Lord Henry’s motive is to experiment on Dorian. These secrets, therefore, not only define but also control the characters’ actions in the novel. The secrecy of its owner would then seem to be the key. Uncovering a secret is the same as death. Dorian threatens Alan Campbell with revealing his secret. Alan felt “as if he was dying in a hollowed-out hole” when Dorian threatened to reveal Alan Campbell’s secrets. Dorian’s threats to his life force him to obey. Now, secrecy becomes an important consideration in his actions and decisions. Basil’s suggestions to rid Dorian of his secret are a similar attempt to remove the corruption in the painting. Dorian then erupts into “the madness of a hunting animal” (Wilde). Basil is seen as a threat to Dorian by the comparison. He is threatening his life by trying to get rid of him. Dorian is forced to kill Basil when he threatens his secret and life.
Dorian, who died in the same year as the revelation of secrets, is the most eloquent example of how death can be a symbol. The picture is stabbed by Dorian in order to “kill past” sins and erase them (Wilde). But rather than kill the image to free himself of all its secrets, he ends up killing himself. The picture is then absolved. This transformation can also be viewed as a revelation. The painting has hid his depravity for a long time, but now it is revealed by his corpse. Dorian Gray’s depravity is revealed through his death.
The secret of Dorian is not revealed in this way. The text reveals a number of secrets throughout, but with each new revelation, another is revealed. Dorian’s life revolves around trying to hide something. The thing that is being concealed is always changing. He first tries to hide his involvement in Sybil’s death. When he finds out the truth about the portrait, it is locked in the loft. Basil is told he has a bad reputation, but he later reveals his soul. He kills him, and then tries to cover up all the evidence. Lists go on. His secrecy is not broken even after his death. While the corruption of Dorian’s Soul will be obvious to everyone, the mystery surrounding the portrait will continue to remain. Dorian Gray’s transformation into a portrait and corpse creates more mystery. Dorian’s secrets appear to be able to control him when he removes the portrait. His secrets continue to spread even after his death.
While Lord Henry’s character is by no means admirable, one must admit that he has a lot of intelligence. He’s the only character who can understand how secrets work. In the beginning, he uses his manipulation skills to get Dorian open up. Dorian, you couldn’t have avoided telling me. You will tell everything that you do to me throughout your entire life (Wilde, 197). He then backs off and is soon oblivious of Dorian’s affairs. Dorian tells Henry that he killed Basil. He replies, “You were playing a role that didn’t suit you… You are not a murderer, Dorian” (Wilde 379). Lord Henry appears to not care much about details. He just wants to make the story more interesting. Lord Henry does not reveal too much information about his secret. He also doesn’t dig too deep. As a result, Lord Henry is one of the few major characters in the novel to avoid tragedy.
Secrets are a key element in The Picture of Dorian Gray. They drive many of its aspects. Secrecy controls people’s actions, relationships and lives. Wilde writes in the novel’s opening pages, “Secrets seem to be what makes life today so mysterious and wonderful.” “The simplest thing can be a delight if only it’s hidden” (Wilde; 143). This seems to be true for the whole novel. Secrecy attracts many and makes Dorian Gray more appealing. Secrets are revealed and people start to move away because they no longer find him interesting or mysterious. It is a seduction tool for characters, but it can also be used to attract readers. To maintain the interest of readers, secrecy is always renewed even if it means the death of characters.
