The influence of evil can take over a whole community. Not only can it take over a whole community, it can also take over the soul. In the short novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde, a young, attractive man named Dorian Gray is influenced to seek pleasure in beautiful things. His main influence is Lord Henry, a friend of Dorian, who teaches him hedonistic beliefs, the belief that only pleasure is the …showed first 75 words of 1316 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1316 total…evil, Dorian directly kills his friend, Basil. On the other hand, Dorian does not directly kill Sybil Vane, but he is morally responsible for her death. He kills her spirit by telling her that he does not love her anymore. She, in turn, takes her own life because of Dorian’s failed love for her. The influence of evil is a major theme throughout the play. It is seen through the actions of Dorian Gray.