Throughout history, art has played an important role in portraying the structure of society and the different roles that people play in it. In Oscar Wilde's novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, art seems to dictate young Dorian Gray's life to the point of moral madness and eventual death. In the novel's preface, however, Wilde states that "All art is utterly useless." This claim is refuted as the novel progresses, as it becomes clear that art actually has the ability to control one's actions and define one's overall personal identity. From the effect that the portrait of Dorian Gray has on its subject, it is revealed that art definitely plays an important role in the lives of its viewers. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay There are several statements made by characters throughout the novel that seem to refute the statements made in the novel's preface. One such statement is made in chapter seven, when Dorian contemplates the relationship between his real life and the life portrayed in the portrait: “But the photo? What should he have said about it? It contained the secret of his life and told his story. She had taught him to love his own beauty. Would it teach him to hate his own soul? Would you ever watch it again?” (99). Through this psychological revelation, it becomes clear that Dorian is strangely affected by Basil's painting. By stating that the portrait "contained the secret of his life," the reader is led to believe that the portrait, and not Dorian himself, is the one in control of his actions. Since the portrait shows the consequences of Dorian's daily misdeeds, one might assume that his soul is connected to the painting, as he wished when he stated in chapter two: "If it were I who were always young, and the picture were to grow old! For this, For this, I would give everything! Yes, there is nothing in the world that I would not give my soul for! (30).With these vain words, Dorian connects to the painting on an irreversible and senseless level. For if art is supposed to be useless, a young man of such high stature should feel the need to trade his soul for the good to remain as the artistic representation of himself? Does the painting exert a direct influence on Dorian's actions and play an important role in the outcome of his life Another example that seems to refute this argument is the emphasis placed on different forms of art in the novel by Henry and others. Various mediums, from literature to theater, play a role in influencing Dorian. Dorian finds and begins to read the so-called “yellow book,” which seems to influence him in a strange way: “After a few minutes he absorbed himself. It was the strangest book he had ever read” (134) We learn that the book has a profound effect on Dorian, as chapter eleven opens with the statement: “For years, Dorian Gray could not free himself. from the influence of this book. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that he never tried to free himself from it” (137). Whatever information this book contains affects Dorian in a way that has never been touched before, and he seems to be intrigued on an unnatural level about something of this nature. Another influential artistic medium that affects Dorian is theatre. As he watches Sybil Vane perform the role of Juliet, he is initially mesmerized. He falls in love with Sybil, not for the girl she really is, but for the way she plays her roles. In this regard, it can be said with certainty that Dorian loves art, more than any other person. Love is a strong emotion; to say that one is not influenced by love, even by love of an art form, would be foolish. Please note: this is just one.