Dorian Grey #1

    Dorian Grey is a character defined primarily by the way other characters influence him. From his picture alone,  Lord Henry determines him to be "some brainless beautiful creature" and he is not entirely wrong. In his first appearance,  Dorian Grey seems quite simplistic and thoughtless when viewed along side the complex philosophy and scope of Lord Henry and Basil. Once he begins to interact with Lord Henry, he under goes a very rapid transformation. As Dorian Grey is introduced to Lord Henry's concept of "new Hedonism" it immediately alters the way he thinks. He becomes gravely concerned with the impermanence of his own youth and beauty, when only moments before he seemed unaware. His devotion to this new way of thinking is show with his abandonment of the more moderate Basil for the company of Lord Henry.
    Dorian is also quick to imitate Lord Henry's fascination with "the new manner of art" in which human beings themselves can be art, but does not fully understand it. In his infatuation with Sibyl Vane, he says things like "The Jew wanted to tell me her history, but I said it did not interest me", showing that he has little interest in her as a person. After Dorian himself realizes that, he quickly rejects her. He does not acknowledge his own cruelty until he sees it reflected in his painting. This is able to inspire him to make his decision,  independent from Lord Henry's influence, to make amends with Sibyl Vane. Realizing that he needs to change, he decides that "The picture, changed or unchanged, would be to him the visible emblem of conscience". This personal growth is unfortunately brought to a halt when he learns of Sibyl's death and once again falls under Lord Henry's influence. By choosing to recognize her death as something beautiful rather than a tragedy,  he completely adopts Lord Henry's immoral philosophy.