The Picture of Dorian Gray in Classics Without All the Class

Feb 20, 2013 Leo Walsh rated it really liked it

What happens when an innocent narcissistic -- Dorian Gray -- meets a manipulative sociopath named Lord Henry Wotton, who convinces the lad that the only thing that matters is youth and beauty? Well, you end up with The Pucture of Dorian Gray .

This is an odd, and very disturbing portrait of hedonism, and the power of influences upon a young person. The style is very effeminate, in the high romantic style of a Mary Shelly. In it, Wilde pits Romantic concept of morality, which focuses on feelin ...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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Oct 27, 2024 Kayla rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own, 1001-read, classics-read, reviewed, great-american-reads

The Picture of Dorian Gray starts off slow at first, but then the story grabs you about 60 pages in and you will speed through the rest. It reads like a supernatural thriller.

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