Characteristics of Basil Hallward
As the painter looked at the gracious and comely form he had so skillfully mirrored in his heart, a smile of pleasure passed across his face and
seemed about to linger there p. 5.
As a painter Basil has a great adoration for Dorian for he is a very interesting object of art. To him, Dorian’s picture is the greatest achievement in
his life, his masterpiece, and his best work of art. As said by Murphy, character’s characteristics can be seen from the character’s speech.
There is nothing that Art cannot express, and I know that work I have done, since I met Dorian Gray, is a good work, is the best work of my life
p.14. Lord Henry Wotton who considers Dorian’s picture as the best
achievement for Basil supports this statement. “It is your best work, Basil, the best thing you have ever done, “said Lord Henry, languidly. You must certainly send it
next year to the Grosvenor “p.7. This is also shown in what he said to Lord Henry about Dorian, “Don’t
take away from me the one person who gives to my art whatever charms it may possesses; my life as an artist depends on him.”p. 18
This statement shows how deeply connected Basil is to his work. To him his work is his world and then finally his object transfers into part of his world
also. Basil used to think of himself as someone independent. He is someone who is indifferent to others. His main interest is art. This belief has changed since he
met Dorian. He adores Dorian too much. Dorian is one of his most precious object of art and his good friend.
Harry, how independent I am by nature. I have always been my own master, had at least always been so, till I met Dorian Gray p. 11.
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He is also a coward. Basil Hallward is a mix personality of someone with a pure heart and a coward.
Something told me that I was on the verge of a terrible crisis in my life I had feeling that Fate had in store for me exquisite joys and exquisite
sorrows. I grew afraid, and turned to quit the room. It was not conscience that made me do so it was sort of cowardice. I take no credit for myself for
trying to escape p. 11.
He is also a hard worker. This is shown through his mannerism when he puts all his work in his art, “but I really can’t exhibit it I have put too much of
myself in it” p. 7. Basil is someone who upholds highly the moral standard therefore he is
quite the opposite of Lord Henry Wotton. His views of life are almost completely contradictory to Lord Henry Wotton. He thinks Lord Henry Wotton will give bad
influences to Dorian, “Don’t spoil him. Don’t try to influence him. Your influence would be bad” p.18. Basil’s characterization can be seen from his way of
thinking. He is a very open minded person. According to him the less blessing one’s receives is the better. Having something more than others will alter one’s
personality. He delivers these words for Dorian, Lord Henry Wotton and himself.
There is a fatality about all physical and intellectual distinction, the sort of fatality that seems to dog through history the faltering steps of the kings. It
is better not to be different from one’s fellows. The ugly and the stupid have the best of it in this world. They can sit at their ease and gape at the
play. If they know nothing of victory, they are at least spared the knowledge of defeat. They live as well all should live, undisturbed,
indifferent, and without disquiet. They neither bring ruin upon others, nor ever receive it from aliens’ hands. Your rank and wealth, Harry; my
brains, such as they are –my art, whatever it may be worth; Dorian Gray’s good looks-we shall suffer for what gods have given us, suffer terribly p.
8.
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Basil believes that having a greater blessing physically or intellectually is not always positively beneficial for someone. Having a greater fortune means
having a greater challenge to overcome temptations. Not being able to defeat the world’s temptations will change one’s personality. Dorian’s good looks will
deliver him directly to the temptation. These temptations are things such as desire, immediate satisfaction, and pleasure. From this point of view the conclusion that
can be drawn is that Basil is someone who thinks carefully, and always tries to see things from different perspectives.
Basil is very sensitive; he is shocked when Dorian forbids him to see his own masterpiece. His reaction to Dorian’s refusal is blown over proportion,
Hallward is thunderstruck. He looks at Dorian Gray in absolute amazement. He is trembling all over p. 125.
His sensitivity and his emotional feeling toward Dorian Gray are caused by his great adoration and love for him. He is so afraid of losing their friendship.
He is a loyal friend, he is willing to hide his best piece of art from public as Dorian asked him, ‘Your friendship is dearer to me than any fame of reputation’
p.126. Basil’s great adoration for Dorian is told in 3 pages long in the novel, from
page 126-128. Here, Basil confesses his true feeling to Dorian, ‘…As I told Harry, once, you are made to be worshipped” p. 128.
Similar to what Holman and Harmon 1986: 81 said in A Handbook of Literature that a character is a flat character when having only a single idea or
quality and he is also a static character when he experiences only slight changes.
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Therefore, Basil is a flat character because his idea of life, his point of view is static throughout the story. He lives according to society’s laws and obeys them
without further question. He adheres the social tradition, he always tries to be a good man and that what he is, lives the life without trespasses the border of
restrictions made by the society. Basil is someone who upholds the moral standard, very patient, a loyal
friend, and kind. Basil is someone who obeys law and all the restrictions or rules in society and as seen from the theory that the reality principle formed itself in a
system of institution, such as those of law and order as retrieved from http:evans-experimentialism.freewebspace. com marcuse02.htm, it can be
concluded that Basil Hallward is the representation of the reality principle.