“The line between good and evil is permeable and almost anyone can be moved to cross it under the pressure of the forces of the situation. » BOB BOB In order to eliminate evil and corruption, we must understand the systematic way in which they operate. By examining the behavior of corrupt and corruptible people, it is possible to deduce the very nature of evil. In Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray and Lois Duncan's Down A Dark Hall, Dorian Gray and Kit Gordy are exposed to evil and soon corrupted. The development and degradation of the two protagonists embody the effects that evil can have on an individual. Evil quickly manifests as an uncontrollable pressure to act immorally and reveals one's malevolent disposition internally, while externally the characters retain their youthful state. Ultimately, both become aware of their corruption and confront evil in an attempt to seek redemption and extricate themselves from the constant pain, leading to very different results. The nature of evil is to subvert the righteousness and integrity of its subjects through corruption, a slow process to which both characters succumb. Dorian Gray's corruption is situational and based on his chance encounter with Lord Henry. Despite his friend's warnings to be wary of Lord Henry, Dorian remains undeterred and continues to spend time with his new acquaintance. His fascination with Lord Henry's cynical perspective leads him to be willingly subject to Lord Henry's prejudices. He accepts an invitation to a dinner where, through witty remarks and carefully chosen words, Lord Henry slowly demoralizes him: "He charmed his listeners out of themselves, and they followed his pipe laughing . Dorian Gray is middle of paper......is unable to improve his condition. Conversely, Kit finds redemption by openly expressing his penitence and actively seeking reparation. After witnessing the great transformation in Dorian and Kit, it is clear that evil is a powerful force quite capable of warping a person's morality. He is constantly inventing ways to corrupt an individual and waiting for the right opportunity to manifest. Both Dorian and Kit demonstrate that fighting corruption has varied results depending on the characteristics of the individual and the conditions and circumstances of the situation. Instead of allowing this process to take place unhindered, we must challenge it so as not to end up with the same fate as Dorian but rather to be able to acquire redemption like Kit. The most important fact to consider is that one cannot live a bad life unscathed..