The novel, A picture of Dorian Grey, by Oscar Wilde, glorifies one’s conforming to society that Lord Henry had laid out for them so much that the “rebels” who do not adapt to the social standards, are eventually lead to their downfall. As long as they don’t mix their inner thoughts or feelings into their perfectly molded social lives, there is no problem. However, as soon as the two intersect, they are doomed. This idea is presented many times throughout the book with various characters ultimately ending with Dorian himself. This notion of social conformity goes beyond just the book- the whole book to the Victorian’s was insane and in no way an act of conformity, an idea that was also glorified greatly in their society.
Lord Henry is the