The Picture of Dorian Gray #5: Basil and Dorian’s Relationship

            In the fifth reading of The Picture of Dorian Gray, the reader sees a progression in Basil and Dorian’s relationship.  Basil’s dedication and love towards Dorian have been shown quite often in the first four nights readings but those feelings have been fairly unreciprocated.  The fifth reading is one of the first times that Basil’s feelings towards Dorian are reciprocated, even if only slightly.  The reader has begun to see that Basil’s relationship to Dorian is synonymous to that of a parent to child.  In many parent to child relationships the child refuses to listen to the parents, who tend to have the best interests of the child in mind.  Throughout the book Dorian has refused to spend time with Basil, who has Dorian’s best interests in mind, and instead chooses to spend his time with Lord Henry, who corrupts Dorian and destroys his defining characteristics.  The reader has been lead to believe that Dorian does not want to spend any time with Basil at all and that Dorian would always run to Lord Henry with his problems.  However, Dorian says: “I don’t think I would go to Harry if I were in trouble.  I would sooner go to you, Basil” (Wilde 120).  By stating that he would run to Basil if he were in trouble rather than to Lord Henry, Dorian acknowledges the fact that Basil has a parental influence on him and for one of the first times reciprocates some of Basil’s feelings.  Although Dorian says this as he is breaking Basil’s heart by telling him that he will never sit for another portrait, Basil does not become angry.  Basil is quite content with playing the role of parent because he cares so much about Dorian’s happiness and wellbeing that he is willing to lessen his own happiness.  Basil establishes himself as the picture-perfect parent figure in that he selflessly cares only about what Dorian wants and what makes Dorian happy.