The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is a cautionary tale on the negative effects of hedonistic pursuits and a narcissistic state of mind. It follows Dorian Gray as he makes a vain wish to be youthful and influential forever, consequently condemning him to a life of debauchery and grossly individualistic motivations. Gray’s attitude resembles that of the behavior of many modern American politicians and wealthy people. In 2016, after former President Barrack Obama left office and Donald J. Trump rose to power a revelation shone bright-the lengths to which apathy shapes America. With conservative ideals and bigotry now at all-time high a nationalistic self-absorption that was used to excuse the lack of callousness taking hold over the United States. In more recent times this hateful platform has given way to oligarchs such as Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerburg, who align with traditional values, to preside over supposedly unbiased democratic matters. So, the cruel intentions pondered in The Picture of Dorian Gray have become a manual of instructions for people in power, their growing unsatisfaction guides their actions using their innately selfish fear of change and toil for quick pleasure. In turn American Society becomes unphased at the struggle of humanity and much more concerned with the struggle of self.

Illustrated by the ever-expanding diversity found in online communities, the social order of American society is developing in a way many older generations deem unwarranted. Quick access to information bodes well for a future that does not consider the traditional values of their own youthful experiences. Like Dorian Gray, the idea of some new future not revolving around them and their own perceptions of the world fill them with a blinding rage. There was a time when certain fixed values that emphasized traditional roles and expectations were at the center point of all American Society. This was the prime of many older generations like Gen X and Boomers-who make up most of the voting majority in America. The growing consciousness of younger nations put a mirror up to these citizens, and what they saw was an image, marred and guilty of their tunnel vision for all its missing. Guilt as an emotion is something more than unpleasant, the politicians with their vulture-like presence found this to be of use. With an influence like lord Henrey Wotton’s-Dorian Gray’s mentor in all things Hedonistic- they preyed on the faults of right leaning citizens, projected the opinions of the ignorant masses and they were thought to be so charismatic that their faults were ignored just so that they may serve as a figurehead for a fear validated. But these politicians are restless, take Ted Cruz as an example of a person in power who seeks gratification for their hate speech and will do what it takes to achieve it.

For twenty years, Dorian Gray lived his life like a black hole. Sucking in all who met him with his irresistible charm and beauty before his great influence drove them to the brink of insanity. In a perverse way, many politicians yearn for a life spent harboring power and greed, and the easiest way to do it was by exploiting the fear of the weak minded. As recent news has shown, it’s clear their methods have worked, and as promised they make no attempt to hide the fruit of their efforts. When Ted Cruz became senator of Texas in 2018 by rallying hordes of ignorant individuals, he promised to serve his community with integrity. Yet, when Texas was hit with deadly snowstorms in 2021, Cruz took his family and fled to Cancun, Mexico-a popular vacation spot- despite his platform being built on the stigmatization and growing hatred over Mexican immigrants.

Thus, the story of Dorian Gray holds a phantom hold over modern American society. The cycle of cruelty, gluttony, and shame traced by the narrative tells the story of a destructive man. Now, ignorance is as prized as beauty for it tints the nostalgia born ways of conservatism in a pink hue. And as Dorian would hide his hideous painting away from the world, these people shelter themselves with the fear they havoc and the cruel intentions that mar the daily lives of the underprivileged. It is the American ideal that politics are the voice of the people, but if that voice becomes gluttonous would it not be better to kill it than to satiate it? That is the notion that leads to Dorian Gray’s death, and it is the finality that all hatred must face before the nation can take its next step in modernization.