> Dorian Gray is not solely responsible for his own moral decline; rather, the society and mentors around him — especially Lord Henry Wotton — share equal, if not greater, responsibility for his corruption.

Your essay should:

• Present a clear, debatable thesis in your introduction
• Examine Wilde's use of literary devices (such as symbolism, irony, aestheticism, and the Gothic double) to bolster your argument
• Address at least one counterargument and respond to it thoughtfully
• Conclude by linking your argument to a broader theme: the interplay between art, morality, and influence in Victorian society

> Dorian Gray's moral downfall is not simply due to Lord Henry's corrupting influence, but rather a reflection of his own conscious choice to surrender to vanity and self-indulgence.

Your essay should:

• Present a clear, defensible thesis in your introduction
• Analyze Wilde's use of literary devices (e.g., symbolism, irony, Gothic imagery, the double/doppelgänger motif) to support your argument
• Consider the role of art and aestheticism as both a liberating and destructive force in the novel
• Address a counterclaim and refute or complicate it with textual evidence
• Conclude by connecting Wilde's moral vision to a broader theme regarding human nature, responsibility, or the connection between art and ethics

In your essay, be sure to:

• Analyze how Wilde employs the characters of Dorian Gray, Lord Henry Wotton, and Basil Hallward to represent conflicting moral and aesthetic perspectives.
• Examine the symbolic role of the portrait as a depiction of Dorian's concealed conscience and moral decline.
• Consider how Wilde's own Preface ("The artist is the creator of beautiful things…") complicates a straightforward moral interpretation of the novel.
• Support your argument with specific textual evidence and careful analysis of key passages.