What is the symbol...

      The main symbol in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is the portrait. In the story, the portrait represents Dorian's soul. As he is faced with multiple temptations, evil grows stronger in him. Because of the wish that he had made, the portrait takes the punishments of his sins while he remains youthful and unchanged. The connection between Dorian and his portrait is hinted at throughout the second chapter. For example, after Dorian disapproves of the painting, Basil is insulted. He then threatens to tear the canvas when Dorian stops him saying that to destroy the painting would be murder. Following this scene Dorian explains that the portrait is a part of him, also implying a connection between the two. After the second chapter it becomes evident that the portrait is changing as he changes. It is not until the end however that the reader fully understands how powerful the connection was.