The Picture of Dorian Gray

The darker side of love in Dorian gray? Infatuation, jealousy, illicit love etc.

i.e Henry's jealousy and possible romantic feelings for Dorian

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"Certainly few people had ever interested him so much as Dorian Gray, and yet the lad's mad adoration of some one else caused him not the slightest pang of annoyance or jealousy." (Chapter 4)

I've never seen Lord Henry's influence or feelings for Dorian to be anything other than the enjoyment of corruption, the fulfillment of mentoring deviant behaviors, and the ultimate satisfaction of control.......... as his influence, and Dorian's complete addiction to his teachings, has given him control over him.

Lord Henry's reflections are on how nice is it to influence Dorian, and his enjoyment leads him to keep pushing to see how far he can get him to go. Even Lord Henry's wife has grown use to his 'influence' on others; she once remarks to Dorian, "That is one of Harry's views, isn't it? I always hear Harry's views from his friends. It is the only way I get to know of them." (Chapter 4)

The same chapter also contains their conversation about Sibyl, and let's not forget............ Dorian does love Sibyl as much as he's able; had he never met Lord Henry, their story may have been quite different. Dorian's reason for visiting Lord Henry that day was to tell him he's in love, and he does tell him. He describes Sibyl, her beauty, and her voice, "You know how a voice can stir one. Your voice and the voice of Sibyl Vane are two things that I shall never forget. When I close my eyes, I hear them, and each of them says something different. I don't know which to follow."

What does one make of this statement? Was Dorian bisexual? Personally, I think not, but there are those who believe him to be. Dorian leaves the encounter and goes off to watch Sibyl; Lord Henry says goodbye and thinks about how much more interesting this 'love affair' makes his pupil. His goal is to promote the pursuit of utter and reckless abandon.......... therefore, I believe Lord Henry is quite happy with the impending results.

Source(s)

The Picture of Dorian Gray