My initial reaction upon reading A Picture of Dorian Grey was of shock towards the amount of cynical thoughts that are passed off simply as ‘normal’ within the text. It seems the state of mind in gothic literature is naturally very dark and gloomy- a cynical outlook on the world seems to be the default outlook.

This default cynicism seen in gothic novels is not a normal state of mind to have in modern-day. This strange cynicism and different outlook on the world subsequently interests the reader, making them question their own world with a new, previously unthought of perspective on issues or ideas. 

 

This casual approach to otherwise shocking revelations adds to the effect of the statements in question. The idea of having a fake identity, death, an atmosphere of mystery and suspense and supernatural occurrences (as represented above with the painting) all within the novel are intensified with the cynical and gloomy nature to which they are written.