Dorian Gray and the Influence of Lord Henry: A Psychoanalytic Review of Mental Manipulation in The Picture of Dorian Gray

Abstract

This study explores Lord Henry's profound influence on Dorian Gray in Oscar Wilde's novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, emphasizing the dynamics of mental manipulation through a psychoanalytic lens. This research aims to analyze how Lord Henry's hedonistic philosophy reshapes Dorian's personality and moral outlook. Utilizing the psychoanalysis of Sigmund Freud, especially the structural theory of the psyche—id, ego, and superego. This study employs text-based qualitative analysis, examining selected excerpts from the novel to uncover character motivations, internal conflicts, and symbolic representations of psychological processes. The results show that Lord Henry awakens and strengthens Dorian's id, driving him to pursue unrestrained pleasure, while the ego serves as a rationalization mechanism to justify his immoral actions. At the same time, Dorian's superego, which initially manifests as guilt and conscience, is increasingly weakened by Henry's persistent influence. This imbalance leads to internal conflict, paranoia, and ultimately self-destruction, reflecting the tragic consequences of uncontrolled external influences on the individual's psyche. The implications of this research emphasize the relevance of psychoanalytic criticism in literary studies, while also providing a critical reflection on the destructive power of hedonistic ideology and mental manipulation in shaping human behavior.