The Rot of the Spirit in the Picture of Dorian GrayOscar Wilde, author of The Picture of Dorian Gray, drastically changes Basil's life by having him paint a portrait of Dorian Gray and expresses himself too much, which, in Wilde's mind, is an annoying obstacle to get around. “Wilde believes that the artist should not portray any of himself in his work, so when Basil does this, it is he who creates his own downfall, not Dorian” (Shewan 36). Wilde introduces Basil to Dorian when Basil begins to notice Dorian staring at him at a party. Basil "suddenly became aware that someone was looking at him. [He] half turned and saw Dorian Gray for the first time" (Wilde 24). Basil notices him immediately, however Basil is afraid to speak to him. The reason for this is that he “does not want any outside influence in [his] life” (Wilde 24). This is almost a paradox as ultimately it is his own internal influence that destroys him. Wilde does this many times in the book. He loved to use paradoxes and this is why Lord Henry, the character most similar to Wilde, is quoted as being called the "Price Paradox". Even though Dorian and Basil end up hating each other, they love meeting for the first time. Basil finds something different in Dorian. She sees him in a different way than she sees other men. Dorian is not only beautiful to Basil, but he is also kind and gentle. This is when Basil falls in love with him and begins to paint the picture. Basil begins to paint the picture, but tells no one about it, including Dorian, because he knows there is too much of himself in it. Lord Henry discovers the painting and asks Basil why he won't exhibit it. Lord Henry thinks it is so beautiful that it should be displayed in a museum. Basil claims that the reason he will not show the painting is because he is "afraid that he has shown in it the secret of his soul" (Wilde 23). This is another paradox because not only did it show the secret of his soul, but the painting ultimately comes to show the secret of Dorian's soul as well. In the preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde explains that "to reveal the art and hide the artist is the purpose of art" (Wilde 17).