The Painting of Dorian Gray

In The Picture of Dorian Gray the main symbol or theme is the painting (or picture of Dorian Gray). The picture is a symbol of Dorian’s soul. In the beginning of the story, Dorian wishes that he would stay young forever and the picture instead would grow old and dreadful. Slowly, as his life progresses and his many sins begin to pile up; the picture becomes old and wrinkled. It changes with the thoughts of his heart. The more evil and wicked he became, the uglier the picture changed. Finally, in the end when Dorian can bear the portrait no longer, he slashes it with a knife. Of course, the painting representing his soul is not harmed but instead returns to its original form. Leaving Dorian slumped below it with a dagger sunk deep into his sinful heart.