Literary Elements

• Dramatic Irony
• “‘Besides, what on earth could happen to you, Dorian? You have everything in the world that a man can want. There is no one who would not be delighted to change places with you.’” (215)
• Sir Geoffrey’s reassuring words to Dorian’s fears are ironic because the audience is fully aware of Dorian’s cruelty which contributed to Sibyl Vane’s suicide and led him to murder his good friend Basil Hallward. The horrific effect that this evil has on Dorian’s soul and conscience is revealed to the audience through the aging of Dorian’s portrait but is unknown to most characters in the novel including Sir Geoffrey.
• Paradox
• "It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearances. The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible.” (39)
• Lord Henry is being upfront with Dorian warning him that his life won't be worth living once he loses his youth. His statement is a paradox because it seems contradictory but actually reveals truth. Everybody makes judgements of people within seconds of meeting them. It is in our nature to utilize information that is readily perceived. Anyone that says so otherwise is probably fooling themselves. 

• Symbolism
• "The whole book seemed to him to contain the story of his own life, written before he had lived it." (93)
• Lord Henry gives Dorian a copy of the yellow book as a gift. . The book becomes like holy scripture to Dorian, who buys nearly a dozen copies and bases his life and actions on it. The yellow book becomes the backbone of Dorian's life. He owns copies all bound in different colors to suit his mood at the time and he never sought to free himself from it. The poison of Harry had sunk into his brain and could not be cured just as Dorian couldn't free himself from the yellow book. The yellow book is an important symbol in The Picture of Dorian Gray. It represents the profound and damaging influence that Harry has over Dorian and serves as a warning to those who would surrender themselves so completely to such an influence as Harry.

• "When they entered, they found hanging upon the wall a splendid portrait of their master as they had last seen him, in all the wonder of his exquisite youth and beauty. Lying on the floor was a dead man, in evening dress, with a knife in his heart." (Chapter 20)
• The portrait of Dorian is in reality a reflection of his inner beauty. However, while he becomes obsessed with keeping his youthful appearance, he will do anything to have it so. Thus, the picture becomes uglier after every crime he commits. The portrait has an influence on Dorian because it constantly acts as a reminder of the evil in his soul. It isn't until Dorian dies that the portrait is restored to it's former beauty. The portrait is a symbol of the immoralities that become apparent in individuals who are quickly swept into the conformity of society.