The Battle between the Pleasure and Reality Principles
Lord Henry thinks that conscience equals to cowardice ‘Conscience and cowardice are really the same things’ p. 11. Conscience equals to reality
principle because they have the same function that is to control our mind to differentiate between good and bad. This shows how Lord Henry’s action and
mind are mostly controlled by pleasure principle. His thought is against the reality principle. The battle between the pleasure and reality principle is won by the
pleasure principle in case of Lord Henry Wotton. The pleasure principle strives nothing but for “gaining pleasure, such as
immediate satisfaction, or joy”. But the unrestrained pleasure principle comes into conflict with the natural and human environment as said by Freud in Bressler
1999: 153. The awareness of the natural and human environment comes from the reality principle, its functions are opposite to pleasure principle.
Oppositely, the character of Basil is the representation of the reality principle. Basil Hallward is a hard worker, a famous painter and a friend of Lord
Henry Wotton and Dorian Gray. Basil Hallward who always obeys the reality principles which is shown through all his good advice to Dorian shows that he is
the portrait of reality principle. Freud as cited in Literary Theory Eagleton, 1983: 151-153 said that the need to labor is an example of an act based on the reality
principle. Basil Hallward works to earn money, he works as a painter. This characteristic differentiates him from Dorian Gray and Lord Henry Wotton and it
also shows that most of Basil’s characteristics are influenced by reality principle. The evidence that Dorian Gray does not need to earn a living by laboring
shows that he does not experience the repression of the pleasure principle by the
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reality principle. Dorian inherits not only physical beauty but also inherits a big amount of money too. “He should have a pot of money waiting for him if Kelso
did the right thing by him. His mother had money too. All the Selby property came to her, through her grandfather” p. 39. According to Freud as cited in
Literary Theory Eagleton, 1983: 151-153, the need to labor is an example of an act based on the reality principle, therefore in this case Lord Henry experiences
the same situation where he is unable to repress his tendencies and gratification. Since he does not need to work to survive, he ends up doing nothing all day and
does whatever he wants. Lord Henry cannot or does not undergo the repression of the pleasure principle by the reality principle similar with Dorian Gray.
As stated by Freud, that the pleasure principle strives nothing but for gaining pleasure, such as immediate satisfaction or joy, therefore, Dorian’s view
of life is an example of the pleasure principle. His love to his own beauty has altered him into a hideous person. He becomes more and more evil every day. His
goals of life have also altered his main purpose to seek for pleasure. “He grew more and more enamored of his own beauty, more and more interested in the
corruption of his own soul” p. 142. Dorian is facing an internal conflict, in which a struggle takes place in his
mind because his extraordinary beauty makes him adore himself too much. He becomes a narcissist who thinks beauty is the most important thing in the world.
“He stood gazing at the shadow of his own loveliness, the full reality of description flashed across him” p. 29. Meanwhile, he is so afraid of getting old.
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How sad it is I shall grow old and horrible and dreadful. But this picture will remain always young- I know, now, that when one loses one’s good
looks, whatever he may be, one loses everything p.30. Dorian Gray is not only extremely handsome but he is also extremely rich,
consequently he becomes a narcissist who thinks that preserving beauty is the most important thing in the world. People’s adoration toward him also leads him
to be a narcissist. “He stood gazing at the shadow of his own loveliness, the full reality of description flashed across him” p. 29.
Narcism is an act based on the pleasure principle as quoted from Eagleton 1983: 151-154 ‘it is a state in which one’s body or ego as a whole is ‘cathected’,
or taken as an object of desire that is forced by libidinal drives’. This internal conflict within himself lead him to a new chapter of his life, a darker chapter
where he starts doing his sins. This part of Dorian’s life is considered as Dorian’s agreement to the Devil. The Evil grants these words. Knowing that he has the
timeless beauty, he leads himself to be a charming creature with hideous soul. Upon the walls of the lonely locked room where he had spent his so much
of his boyhood, he had hung with his own hands the terrible portrait, whose changing features showed him the real degradation of his life-p.
154.
As cited from Guerrin 1999: 129-130 that the id, which is governed by the pleasure principle, as defined by Freud is identical in many aspects to the
Devil as defined by theologians. Therefore, Dorian’s belief on the importance of preserving good looks which partly comes from Lord Henry and the other half
from his own narcissist point of view, makes him worship the Devil which also means worshipping the pleasure principle.
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Dorian’s close relation to Lord Henry inflicts Basil’s jealousy. This jealousy is a form of conflict between Dorian and Basil. Dorian seems to dear
Lord Henry more than Basil. He follows everything that Lord Henry Wotton says, ‘You have got Harry [Lord Henry Wotton], said the painter, sadly’ p. 129. This
unnatural jealousy refers to unnatural relation between Basil and Dorian. It is said unnatural because it is uncommon to have such adoration to someone who has the
same sex. It is against the society’s custom. Basil’s behavior shows that he also has internal conflict within himself. His pleasure principle urges him to follow his
instinct, to give all his attention and affection to Dorian but the reality principle says the otherwise.
Basil’s internal conflict is also seen through the story that since Basil met Dorian, it seems that he is his only source of joy and happiness. Basil meets
Dorian almost every day. Basil’s attitude in which he is addicted to Dorian shows Basil’s inner conflict. The adoration of Basil to Dorian is often stated in the story.
“I couldn’t be happy if I didn’t see him every day. He is absolutely necessary to me” p. 14.
On the other hand, the pleasure principle in Dorian grows stronger. Dorian’s action shows that his actions are mostly controlled by the pleasure
principle. This is caused by Lord Henry Wotton’s influences to Dorian. Lord Henry Wotton lives according the impulses of pleasure principle. Lord Henry
Wotton does everything that he wants without considering the moral restraints. Lord Henry Wotton influences Dorian to live the same way. Unfortunately Dorian
responds to these influences. He follows the pleasure principle and ignores the
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reality principle. Though he realizes that what he has done is amoral or improbable, but that is his life-goal. ‘Harry spends his days in saying what is
incredible, and his evenings doing what is improbable. Just the sort of life I [Dorian] would like to lead’ p. 129.
Yes there was to be, as Lord Henry had prophiesed, a new Hedonism that was to recreate life, and to save it from that harsh, uncomely Puritanism
that is having, in our own day, its curious revival p. 145.
Lord Henry Wotton’s influences come through the Yellow book which is given to Dorian. This book has tremendous effects to Dorian. ‘For years Dorian
Gray could not free himself from the influence of this book. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that he never sought to free himself from it’ p. 141. This
book arouses his narcisstic point of view, changes his character completely. He sees the character in the book as himself. ‘The hero, the wonderful young
Parisian, became to him a kind of prefiguring type of himself. And, indeed, the whole book seemed to him to contain the story of his own life, written before he
had lived it’ p. 141. The character or the hero in the yellow book teaches Dorian to live and to answer the pleasure principle’s impulses. Hedonism can be said as
similar to pleasure principle. The fact that Basil’s ideas and views of life are contradictory to Lord
Henry’s also causes the conflict between Dorian and Basil. Basil believes that someone cannot have two ideologies at the same time. One would be
contradictory to the other. On the other hand, Dorian tries to accept them both all together. Basil says, ‘No man came across two ideal things. Few come across one’
p. 129. In Dorian’s mind there is a war between the two principles, the pleasure
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and reality principle. The pleasure principle in Dorian’s mind is aroused by Lord Henry’s ideology while the reality principle is aroused by Basil Hallward. These
principles are always at war to control Dorian’s action. Lord Henry’s way of thinking is contradictory to Basil’s. Lord Henry
thinks that fame is important. He asks Basil to exhibit Dorian’s picture and Basil refuses it. It shows that their thoughts are influenced by the two principles
differently. Basil disagrees because he thinks that he has put too much of himself into it p.7. Basil’s highly appreciation to his work shows this.
It is quite obvious that the characteristics of Lord Henry and Basil Hallward are completely different. They have different point of views. It is shown
through Basil’s words to Dorian. Basil assumes that Dorian should feel grief or be sad for his lost over Sibyl Vane, Dorian’s lover. Instead of giving encouragement
for Dorian’s grieve, Lord Henry says that a person should not be controled by his or her emotion. Lord Henry suggests that Dorian should get “immediate relief
from pain” which refers to pleasure principle. These differences make the conflicts between them both emerge. These differences also cause the conflict
between Dorian and Basil appears. Since Dorian’s thought is influenced by Lord Henry, his way of thinking is almost similar to Lord Henry. It can be seen when
Sibyl Vane is dead. When Basil asks him questions about the case, Dorian responds angrily.
It is only shallow people who require years to get rid of an emotion. A man who is master of himself can end a sorrow as easily as he can invent a
pleasure. I don’t want to be at the mercy of my emotions. I want to use them, to enjoy them and to dominate them p. 121.
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The conflict between Dorian and Basil is also seen when Dorian’s response shocks Basil. Basil disagrees with Dorian’s point of view. He thinks
what Dorian says is horrible. He has changed into a different person and Basil thinks he does not know Dorian anymore. Basil urges Dorian to let himself being
controlled by his emotion. Feeling sad and not trying to gain immediate relief from pain is an act based on reality principle. Basil considers that this action is the
proper action for Dorian to do. Dorian, this is horrible Something has changed you completely. You look
exactly the same wonderful boy who, day after day, used to come down to my studio to sit for his picture. But you were simple, natural and
affectionate then. You were the most unspoiled creature in the whole world. Now, I don’t know what has come over you. You talk as if you had
no heart, no pity in you. It is all Harry’s influence. I see that p. 121.
The biggest influence that causes the dominantly pleasure principle in Dorian comes from the Yellow book which is given by Lord Henry. Dorian Gray
has been poisoned by this book. Dorian is first characterized as a good, sensitive person who has compassion in his heart. ‘I am perfectly happy now. I know what
conscience is, to begin with. I want to be good. I can’t bear the idea of my soul being hideous’ p. 107. These words are Dorian’s regret when he leaves Sibyl
because she acts terribly. He feels sorry for treating Sibyl awfully and he plans to apologize. This feeling of guilty shows that Dorian experience internal conflict,
that the reality in Dorian still tries to gain control over his actions. As said by Bressler that the reality principle disguises in the form of punishment. It allows us
to feel guilty or afraid or ashamed 1999: 150. Nevertheless, he has been influenced by the Yellow book. Then he is known as notorious among the people.
These changes inflict a quarrel between Dorian and Basil.
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Why is your friendship so fatal to young men. There was that wretched boy in the Guards who committed suicide. You were his great friend.
There was Sir Henry Ashton, who had to leave England, with a tarnished name. You and he were inseparable. What about Adrian Singleton, and his
dreadful end? What about Lord Kent’s son, and his career? I met his father yesterday in St. James’s Street. He seemed broken with shame and sorrow.
What about that young Duke of Perth? What sort of life has he got now? What gentleman would associate with him p. 165.
Dorian’s change of personality proves that the battle between the pleasure and reality principle really exists in Dorian’s mind. Dorian has completely
changed from the man that is characterized as a pure and naïve young man at the beginning of the story into a villain who lives a corrupt life. On the other hand,
Basil always tries to urge Dorian to listen to the reality principle, Dorian is always against it. According to Basil, a man should leave a good memory in the society
throughout his life. A man should pursue a good and respectful name. ‘Every gentleman is interested in his good name’ p. 164. Nevertheless, as usual Dorian
disagrees with Basil’s thoughts. “I love scandals about other people, but scandals about myself don’t
interest me” p. 164. Dorian’s action which ignores the society’s standard proves that Dorian truly ignores the reality principles. Something is said as a scandal
when it is against the moral or society’s standard or restrictions. In fact, the reality principle formed itself in these restrictions or standard made by the society.
Dorian Gray is so good at keeping his secrets, he tries to deceit the society by presenting good manner. ‘Society, civilized society at least, is never very ready to
believe anything to the detriment of those who are both rich and fascinating. It feels instinctively that manners are of more importance than morals” p. 156.
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Basil Hallward’s character that is naïve and pure leads him into a man without prejudices. It is shown through his total belief toward Dorian’s good
character. Basil insists that the rumors about Dorian are false. He always gives good advice to Dorian. Basil’s pure and good heart functions as Dorian’s reality
principle because Basil always tries to lead Dorian to the right path. Basil’s good nature is contradictory to Dorian’s characteristics. These
differences inflict the conflict between them. Basil believes that the sins being done will be carved in one’s face. “Sin is a thing that writes itself across a man’s
face. It cannot be concealed. If a wretched man has a vice, it shows itself in the lines of his mouth, the droop of his eyelids, the molding of his hands even.” p.
16. Though Basil does not believe the bad rumors about Dorian, for some reasons Dorian finally confesses his real sin to Basil by revealing his horrible picture to
the painter. Basil Hallward acts as the reality principle in the form of human. Dorian Gray glanced at the picture, and suddenly an uncontrollable feeling
of hatred for Basil Hallward came over him, as thought it had been suggested to him by the image on the canvas, whispered into his ear by
those grinning lips. The mad passions of a haunted animal stirred within him, and he loathed the man who was seated at the table, more than in his
whole life he had ever loathed anything p. 175.
The pleasure principle is aggressive, anarchic and sadistic. Dorian urges to follow his animal instinct when he confesses to Basil about the picture. Dorian’s
confession raises Dorian’s hatred to the man who created the piece of art. Dorian is blaming the mistakes to Basil though actually it is all because of all the sins that
he had done. And this is where the pleasure principle takes place, as said by Freud in Bressler 1999: 150 that one of the pleasure principle’s goal is to have
immediate relief from all pain or suffering. Dorian finally kills Basil instantly.
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He rushed at him, and dug the knife into the great vein that is behind the ear, crushing the man’s head down on the table, and stabbing again and
again. There was a stifed groan, and the horrible sound of someone choking with blood p. 175.
By killing Basil, Dorian believes that he can release his burden and sin which is shown through his horrible picture. Nevertheless, the pleasure and reality
principle will always struggle to have its place in gaining the power to control one’s action. Just as Dorian is ready to embrace his conscience and to follow the
reality principle, his fear conquers him. Culture and corruption, ‘echoed Dorian. I have known both. It seems
terrible to me now that they should ever be found together. For I have a new ideal, Harry, I am going to alter. I think I have altered p. 233.
However, the reality principle also takes an action in influencing Dorian’s
behavior. At the end of the story, Dorian finally realizes that he needs to change his course of life. This is where the function of the reality principle takes place,
manifests itself in the form of punishment which gives the sense of guilt and fear. He is so afraid of the changes happening to him. “I have done too many dreadful
things in my life. I am not going to do anymore. I began my good actions yesterday” p. 233. Hearing Dorian’s plan, Lord Henry disagrees. “There is no
use of telling me that you are going to be good. You are quite perfect, pray don’t change” p. 233.
The triumph of the pleasure principle over the reality principle is proven when Dorian kills Basil at his house. He blames Basil for giving him the picture
that changed him into villain. Uncontrollable feeling of hatred for Basil Hallward came over him. The
mad passions of haunted animal stirred within him, and he loathed at the
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man who was seated at the table. There was a stifled groan, and a horrible sound of someone choking with blood p. 175.
Seen through Basil’s death, it is concluded that the battle between the two principles is won by the pleasure principle, though it is not always but mostly that
is what happened. In conclusion, the battle between the pleasure and reality principle in the
story is first depicted through the characteristics of the three main characters. There are many differences between these characters. Consequently, there are
conflicts between and in the characters, internal and external conflicts. Therefore, the battle between the pleasure and reality principle is also depicted through the
internal and external conflicts in the story.