I love these stories because they’re really about the ugly side of humanity - whether it’s taking a formula to unleash the darker side or selling your soul to the devil.
In A Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde - Mr. Gray makes a Faustian Bargain. Keep him beautiful and let the portrait take the abuse.
Have you ever thought about what you would do in his shoes? You’ve already shaken hands with the devil, now what? If you keep the painting unharmed, you could technically live forever and therefore get out of final judgement with God.
Does that give you the “permission” to misbehave on a grand scale? Murder, mayhem, maliciousness. To become completely morally corrupt. Is it in you to be that way? Does a tiny part of you want to go out for a joy ride of no morals? What, if anything, would hold you back?
Sometimes I look at people doing appalling things and wonder what their portrait would look like in that moment.
How bad is bad? Would purposely being rude to an unsuspecting person leave a mark? If you feel bad about it, does the mark get prevented or removed?
I don’t think I would have it in me to have felony fun, but maybe - maybe - a little misdemeanor fun.
I will admit, I am not a perfect person. By the end of my run I’m sure my portrait would have a couple dings in it.
The truth of the matter is that I cry when I accidentally run over chipmunks. I laugh when I see children laugh. I like making my elders smile by a kind word or gesture. I love deeply and fiercely.
PS - Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth. ~ Oscar Wilde
