Everyone has someone who influences what they will do; in the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde, Dorian is influenced by Lord Henry. From whom to marry to how Dorian should feel about others, Lord Henry effects the decisions which Dorian makes. The question is why is Dorian susceptible to Lord Henry's influence? Dorian is susceptible to Lord Henry's influence because Dorian looks up to Lord Henry; he feels that he is young and inexperienced and that Lord Henry is a wise and worldly man who can help guide him. However when influenced one runs the risk of losing themselves.

First to speak in the novel is Lord Henry, he establishes himself a strong worldly man when him and Basil are having an argument: "'...my dear Basil. You seem to forget that I am married, and the one charm of marriage is that it...