[Literature Reflection] Dorian Gray: Instant Pleasure vs. The Everlasting Happiness of the Soul

There are many times when instant pleasure and the feeling of contentment tempt us to turn astray from the right path. Just like Dorian, who was tempted by the instant concealment of his aged face and sins, we sometimes tend to pick something more immediate yet less valuable. For instance, aestheticism, one of the central themes of The Picture of Dorian Gray, seeks and idolizes external beauty that it loses something more essential and fundamental: reason and morality. The beauty of man fades as he ages, and the beautiful creations of man are not universal. Since those pleasures and concealment are so evanescent (just as how Dorian’s secret was all revealed at the end), we cannot and should not depend on them. However, the long-lasting happiness of the soul is attained by something more essential and fundamental: knowledge, morality, honesty, and so on. Let us imagine that Dorian Gray did not sell his soul for the sake of his youth; let us say that though his appearance withered, he spent much time being honest, noble, and wise. Though he might not have had the beauty of the appearance, old, withered, but wise Dorian Gray must have had a much happier and content life. This dilemma of choosing between instant pleasure and the long-lasting happiness of the soul applies to us as well: it is our choice that we attain endless cravings and anxiety to lose long-lasting happiness and satisfaction.

Often, I contemplate how to make humans happy since I believe that politics’ fundamental goal is to achieve happiness and goodness within humans. As a leader, a time will come for me to decide and lead others to the right path and towards happiness. Yet instant profit may narrow my perspective. I may choose to conceal than to solve, gain than to lose. Numerous voices of temptation may whisper to me to go against morality and pursue what seems good at the moment. However, I decided to urge myself constantly to see the big picture and choose to wait if necessary. I will solve problems rather than conceal problems. I will stay patient to find the essentials. This book helped me to acquire prudence in my decisions.