How does Lord Henry change Dorian’s perspective regarding Sibyl’s death? Use text evidence to support your thinking. Answer in a short paragraph

Answer 1

In Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray," Lord Henry Wotton profoundly influences Dorian Gray's perspective on Sibyl Vane's death by framing it as a mere artistic experience rather than a tragic loss. He suggests that her death can be viewed as a beautiful way to enhance Dorian's existence, stating that beauty and art are the only things worth pursuing. Lord Henry claims, “The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it,” indicating that Dorian should embrace his emotions rather than mourn. This manipulation shifts Dorian's focus from grief to a hedonistic understanding of beauty, ultimately leading him to see Sibyl's demise as a catalyst for his own aesthetic pleasure rather than a sorrowful event.