t came over him, as he thought of her lying at his feet sobbing like a child. Why had such a soul been given to him?" (Wilde 66). Wilde successfully illustrates the struggle Dorian faces between his conscience and Lord Henry's influence. Wilde shows how Dorian feels remorse (conscience) and yet at the same time he attempts to justify his wrong and cruel actions (influence). Yet when Dorian reflects upon his actions, his conscience prevails and speaks out. He realizes "how unjust, how cruel, he had been to Sibyl Vane" (Wilde 70). At last his conscience appears to have defeated Lord Henry's influence. Dorian decides to write a letter apologizing to Sibyl and to restate his love. He also concludes "He will resist temptation. He will not see Lord Henry any more-would not, at any rate, listen to those subtle poisonous theories that in Basil Hallward's garden had first stirred within him the passion for impossible things" (Wilde 67). Wilde instills hope in the reader that Dorian may be saved. Dorian is even able to stand up to Lord Henry. Dorian confesses, "I know what conscience is, to being with. It is not what you told me it was. It is the divinest thing in us" (Wilde 71). Dorian appears to be changing for the better. He regrets hurting Sibyl and has gained the courage to do the right thing in order to win back her heart. Through this incident, Wilde shows how a person can act moral if love is the underlying factor. However, if a strong, outside influence begins to prevail, a person could still lose sight of their conscience.Dorian looses his sense of conscience during the Sibyl Vane incident because Lord Henry beings to influence him again. Dorian initially feels devastated when he realizes Sibyl has killed herself. His conscience truthfully tells him that he is partially at fault. Through Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde shows how one's conscience allows a person to see the truth in situations. However, although people may ...
