Question 1 - Frendship

Considering Lord Henry, Basil, and Dorian, what is the nature of friendship throughout the book?

I didn't really feel that there was a strong friendship between Basil and Lord Henry and that Basil was jealous of the relationship between Lord Henry and Dorian. Did anyone see something different?

I thought the two relationships, Basil with Dorian and Lord Henry with Dorian, were exploitive and shallow. Basil was all about his youth and beauty and Lord Henry wanted to corrupt his innocence. Not what I would call friendships at all.

I think that perhaps there is more to the friendship between Basil and Lord Henry, especially prior to Basil meeting Dorian. Dorian seems to become an object of contention between the two. It's almost as if Lord Henry tries to woo away Dorian just to spite Basil. I think that Lord Henry is jealous of Basil's relationship with or feelings toward Dorian, which is why he attempts to ruin the innocence that Basil sees in Dorian.

While the relationship between Basil and Dorian seems to be "light", the relationship between Dorian and Henry becomes very "dark". Dorian was Basil's object of attention and desire and there is an innocence surrounding their relationship. With Henry, it seems that at least early on, Dorian is looking for Henry's approval and he tries to emulate Henry's immoral attitude and actions.

I'm about half way through the book and so far I see no true friendship among any of the characters. Basil is infatuated with Dorian's looks, and Henry is infatuated with Dorian's innocence and want's to corrupt him because he himself is corrupt. All three have twisted relationships with each other, but I wouldn't call it friendship.

I felt that the relationships were different among all three. Lord Henry and Basil have a long time rival like friendship, in a good way. They seem to like each other but at the same time compete with each other.

Basil and Dorian seem more of worship type relationship at first. When Basil first meets Dorian, Basil worships him for his looks of beauty and youth. Where Lord Henry sees the innocence in Dorian.

I didn't see any true friendship.

Basil's feelings about Dorian were perhaps the closest, since he attempted -- from concern about Dorian, with no benefit for himself -- to warn him of the rumors. Yet, Basil's interest was actually romantic, and his idealization of Dorian's beauty and innocence blinded him to the reality of Dorian's character and activites, so there was absolutely no acceptance of Dorian as the person he was.

Lord Henry was a friend to no one. He used his acquaintances to amuse himself and explore his power. He immediately attempted to destroy the relationship between Basil and Dorian, and then to corrupt Dorian.

Dorian didn't even like either Basil or Lord Henry. He alternately blamed Basil, the book Henry gave him, and his beauty and innocence for his downfall. As far as I could see, Dorian loved no one but himself.

If that.

Good point, NST.

#7 Agree wholeheartedly! I think all the relationships among the main characters were pretty warped.

I tend to agree with ivyd - there wasn't any real friendship. Basil & Henry are from the same social circles, which for me is the reason they are 'friends'. To go all Gossip Girl on you, they're 'frenemies'. If they didn't see each other socially I couldn't see them associating at all.

Henry says himself in Chapter 3, that he wants to take Dorian away from Basil, a true friend would respect Basil's wishes to not corrupt Dorian. I've only read the first four chapters so far, but it seems that Henry uses people purely for his own enjoyment. He likes to see how far he can influence/push someone. He doesn't have respect for anyone and personally, someone like that makes a very poor friend.

I think Basil is aware of this, which is why he tries to protect Dorian, but Dorian is quite immature and superficial, which is why he is so easily pursuaded by Henry.

My views about their relationship might change as I keep reading, but that's the impression I get so far.

I think that Basil enjoyed a friendship with Dorian. Lord Henry, I found to be very shallow and not a very good influence on the young Dorian. (their relationship reminded me of the bad boys' influence on Pinocchio) As the book went on Dorian went from being a dear, sweet boy to a self centered, blind hearted, "me, me, me" person. He grew to care about nothing or no one except what was happening in his life and to him.
Dorian was given many opportunities to befriend people but didn't rise to the occasion. And yet he did seem to wish to be out in society.
I must admit that though I have read this book several times and that I always enjoy the read..............I do not understand the people, other than Basil. I think I understand what makes him tick, but Lord Henry; I haven't a clue with him. And by not understanding him, I cannot understand Dorian Gray.
belva

yep agree that theres no true friendship in the book just people using each other for their own purposes

#12 Belva, interesting that you think that Dorian was a "dear, sweet boy" to begin with - I'm not so convinced. My feeling was that he was pretty weak-willed and self-interested to begin with - witness his treatment of Basil, right from the start - and in his envy of the portrait.

I certainly agree that Henry Wotton was a bad influence however - this is a man who deliberately manipulates everyone he knows, just to see what effect it will have.

...and yes, I don't believe there is any example of true friendship in the book - even the "friendship" between Basil and Dorian at the beginning is flawed.

I had the feeling that in the beginning Dorian could have gone either way. He was certainly weak-willed and self-centred - but he felt some regret over the way he treated Sibyl Vane, and I wonder how he would have turned out if Sibyl hadn't died and if Lord Henry had kept his distance.

Lord Henry was certainly toxic, and his poison corrupted Dorian Gray - but I can't decide whether, without him, Dorian would simply have been corrupted by the next dissolute character to happen by. Quite possibly he would, given his reluctance/refusal to take responsibility for his own actions.

(And I'm in agreement that there's no true friendship in the book.)

I finally finished the book, and I agree that based on friends who care about each other, there was no true friendship in the book. Basil might have developed into a friend when he became concerned for Dorian, but Dorian took care of that!

The closest that Dorian came to a friend was Sibyl Vane, but when she needed understanding, he was unable to provide it.
--BJ