<p>Assignment:</p>
<p>"Should people make more of an effort to keep some things private? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations."</p>
<p>Many people hide their thoughts and feelings from each other because they want to keep their matters private. However, the idea that people should make more of an effort to keep some things private is not valid through a literary work by Oscar Wilde, "The Picture of Dorian Gray," which illustrates a man's downfall through his arduous effort in hiding his secrets.</p>
<p>Dorian Gray, the protagonist of the novel, starts off as a naive young man, whose beauty is "ineffable" and captivates many ladies' attentions. One day, Dorian encounters a insidious man named Lord Henry Wotton while he is having a picture of himself painted. Lord Henry corrupts Dorian's docile mind by blighting his innocence with thoughts of "aging and becoming forgotten." Dorian is horrified by the thought of losing his extravagant appearance, and so he hastily makes a pact with the devil so that he can stay young forever, while his portrait grows old in his place. </p>
<p>Dorian gives no further attention to his folly, and he begins to undertake a hedonistic lifestyle. He lives a life full of pleasures as he seeks to quench his materialistic desires. However, he fails to do so, and he lives a wanton life, which consequently leads to his moral decadence. After a while, Dorian begins to notice the changes in his picture; his originally handsome figure has slowly decayed into a despicable beast. Dorian becomes horrified with this change, but he decides not to share this ignominious painting with anyone else. </p>
<p>The reflection of Dorian's moral decay troubles Dorian, and it makes him more secluded from his friends and society. He makes attempts to redeem himself, but these efforts are proven to be futile, as the painting does not change a single bit. Dorian is driven mad by this burdening secret, which leads to his suicide. </p>
<p>Dorian's efforts to keep his ignominy a secret have led to his downfall. Similarly, in the world today, many people fail to share their troubling thoughts with others. In families, parents and children neglect each others needs, which lead to unstable relationships. However, if people take on a different approach in life by not keeping their deepest concerns secret, then they will most likely avoid catastrophic downfalls that are similar to that of Dorian Gray.</p>
<p>btw... which month and year is the Collegeboard's practice test from?</p>