The Picture of Dorian Gray 7

The theme of beauty is one that is commonly addressed in The Picture of Dorian Gray.  One's appearance, as suggest by Dorian, is much more than a meaningless body that holds the soul.  This is first apparent in the beginning of the novel when Dorian becomes unreasonably distressed with the thought of physically growing older and losing his attractive appearance.  His looks, after all, are the basis for his happiness throughout the novel.  For example, Basil befriends the boy because he is attractive.   This idea is also linked into our present day society.  There is such a focus on looks and how one presents himself in society and how that will dictate one's success and how one is perceived.  Here, Dorian acknowledges that, due to his attractive appearance, he will not be questioned for the evils acts he has committed, since "those finely-shaped fingers could never have clutched a knife for sin, nor those smiling lips have cried out on God and goodness" (Wilde 128).  Had he been an unattractive man with misshapen fingers and a permanent scowl, the people present would have believed him to be a murderer, since one's physical appearance dictates how one is viewed.