A Critique of the Ending of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray :: Picture Dorian Gray

A Critique of the Ending of Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian GrayTruly, suspense is a positive attribute up to a certain point. Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray ends with too many loose ends. What did Alan Campbell do to Dorian that was stern, harsh, offensive(Wilde 125)? It appears that whatever Campbell did was quite sedate when Dorian threatens to send a letter to someone regarding Campbells past misconduct, Campbell agrees to get rid of Basils corpse, which is a serious crime in itself. Why does Oscar Wilde not resolve this mystery? This case in isolation is not of too much consequence, but Wilde does not reveal what Dorians crimes are either. Certainly, there are hints of Dorians decadence, rumours that he had been seen brawling with foreign sailors in a low den in the distant parts of Whitechapel, and that he consorted with thieves and coiners and knew the mysteries of their trade (103). Nevertheless, details on Dorians crimes are vague. Past friends and acquai ntances fall from their graces upon contact with Dorian thus, to the townspeople, Dorians crime seems only to be the ability to spread misfortune and decadence like wildfire while maintaining his high social status.It is blatant from the beginning of the novel that homoerotic energies permeate the story. Basil has perpetually been intrigued, obsessed, and fascinated by the beautiful, perfect Dorian Gray. Nonetheless, Basil dies in Chapter XIII of The Picture of Dorian Gray that is, he dies near the middle of the story. This death is premature, because the romanticist relationship between Basil and Dorian is not explored even though it is apparent that just before he dies, Basil still feels love and partiality towards his protg Dorian. Although Dorian does not seem to have any romantic interest in Basil, he does need Basil as a protector angel until the end of the story. Dorian is akin to Faustus in Marlowes Doctor Faustus, for he navely lusts after knowledge and sells his sou l to Mephistopheles Lord Henry in The Picture of Dorian Gray to obtain this knowledge. In Doctor Faustus, the good angel is a recurring figure that stays with Faustus until near Faustus death, forever importunity the Doctor to repent. Basil, however, is a shadowy figure and is not able to give Dorian good advice until the end of the story.