Wildes exceptional example of gothic horror that led to its initial rejection from the morally- rigid society that it was introduced to, carries many comparisons to the image-centered society we find ourselves in today. Dorian Gray becomes an embodiment of the consequence of vanity, which in a Christian society would be considered an example of one of the seven deadly sins: pride. The start of novel itself begins with a sensual description of the studio, a materialistic and externally focused view. It begins to show the shallowness of the obsession with appearances and the burden of beauty that began with the young man of extraordinary personal beauty. Lord Henrys referral to Gray as Narcissus can be seen to be a tool for foreshadowing the outcome of his obsession with his youth. The word narcissistic is used to describe the egotistical admiration of ones idealized attributes and originates from the greek mythology of a
hunter, who fell in love with himself and committed suicide, despite the fact it may be viewed as an insignificant tale told for mere entertainment purposes, it became the basis of the identification of pathological self-absorption, as a personality disorder. A pathing way for the interpretation that Dorian Gray may have fallen prey to this, as it is categorized by an arrogant, self-absorbed mindset that leads to the lack of empathy for others. Thus whilst at the start, it is evident he is unaware of his beauty that is such that Art cannot express, Lord Henrys influence elevates the importance of outward beauty in Dorian Grays life. This newfound unnaturally intense passion eventually led to his demise, destroying him physically and mentally, distorting his ability to feel empathy, the development of this obsession with youth also resulted in his role in the deaths of Sybil and James Vane and the murder of Basil Howards.