From the Bookshelf of The Reading Challenge Group…

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Oscar Wilde

Start date: June 1, 2015

Finish date: June 30, 2015

Discussion: Group Read Archive 2014-16

Why we're reading this: Genre Group Read (Minority Studies/LGBT) - June 2015
[close] Genre Group Read (Minority Studies/LGBT) - June 2015

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Group Read Archive 2014-16

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What Members Thought

Jan 25, 2023 Tess Mertens-Johnson rated it it was amazing

This book is in my top ten. It is written by Oscar Wilde, himself a very attractive man and a homosexual in the late 1800s. Wilde was very well educated and his writing is impeccable as he tells the story of an effeminate man who wants to hold on his youthful looks. After having his portrait painted, Dorian move through the years without aging, though his portrait does. He lives an affluent life, and spends time with Basil who is in love with him, He proposes to actress Sybil, but when she remov ...more

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Mar 09, 2010 Carol rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I have to say that I enjoyed Wilde's writing, and I was surprised that this is his only novel (of Gothic fiction).. During the late 19th century, European arts movement, centered on the doctrine that "art exists for the sake of its beauty alone", and that it didn't need to serve any other purpose. It was that life was to be lived intensely, with an ideal of beauty. (This was the reaction to the ugliness of the Industrial age.)

The story of a young man, Dorian Gray, is the subject of a painting b I have to say that I enjoyed Wilde's writing, and I was surprised that this is his only novel (of Gothic fiction).. During the late 19th century, European arts movement, centered on the doctrine that "art exists for the sake of its beauty alone", and that it didn't need to serve any other purpose. It was that life was to be lived intensely, with an ideal of beauty. (This was the reaction to the ugliness of the Industrial age.)

The story of a young man, Dorian Gray, is the subject of a painting by artist Basil Hallward. Basil is impressed by Dorian's beauty and becomes infatuated with him, believing his beauty is responsible for a new mode in his art. Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton, a friend of Basil's, and becomes enthralled by Lord Henry's world view. Lord Henry suggests the only things worth pursuing in life are beauty and fulfilment of the senses. Realizing that one day his beauty will fade, Dorian expresses a desire to sell his soul to ensure the portrait Basil has painted would age rather than he. Dorian's wish is fulfilled. He pursues a life of debauchery, the portrait serves as a reminder of the effect each act has upon his soul, with each sin displayed as a disfigurement of his form, or through a sign of aging.

One night, Basil asks Dorian about rumours of his indulgences. Dorian doesn't deny it. He takes Basil to the portrait, which is as hideous as Dorian's sins. In anger, Dorian blames Basil for his fate and stabs Basil to death. He blackmails an old friend, a chemist, into destroying Basil's body. In order to escape the guilt of his crime, Dorian travels to an opium den. James attempts to shoot Dorian. However, Dorian fools James into thinking he is too young to have been involved with Sibyl. James releases Dorian but and is chastised for not killing. Dorian sees James stalking the grounds and fears for his life. But James is accidentally shot & killed.

Dorian wonders if the portrait has changed back, now that he has given up his immoral ways. He unveils the portrait to find it has become worse. Seeing this, he realizes that the motives behind his "self-sacrifice" were merely vanity, curiosity, and the quest for new emotional experiences. Dorian makes a full confession. In a rage, he picks up the knife that killed Basil Hallward and plunges it into the painting. His servants wake hearing a cry from inside the locked room, and passers by on the street fetch the police. The servants find Dorian's body, stabbed in the heart and suddenly aged. It is only through the rings on his hand that the corpse can be identified. Beside him, the portrait has reverted to its original form.
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