Showing results for title "The Picture of Dorian Gray", by author "Oscar Wilde" in Literary History & Criticism

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The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde tells the story of a young man, Dorian Gray, who becomes obsessed with his own beauty. After artist Basil Hallward paints his portrait, Dorian wishes to remain youthful forever, while the painting ages in his place. Influenced by Lord Henry Wotton's hedonistic philosophies, Dorian pursues a life of pleasure and moral corruption. Over time, his portrait becomes increasingly hideous, reflecting his inner decay. Despite attempts to reform, Dorian ultimately destroys the painting in a fit of desperation, leading to his own death. Wilde's novel explores ...

The novel tells of a young man named Dorian Gray, 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. Espousing a new hedonism, Lord Henry suggests the only things worth pursuing in life are beauty and fulfillment of the senses. Realizing that one day his beauty will fade, Dorian expresses his desire to sell his soul to ensure the portrait Basil has painted ...

Enthralled by his own exquisite portrait, Dorian Gray exchanges his soul for eternal youth and beauty. Influenced by his friend Lord Henry Wotton, he is drawn into a corrupt double life, indulging his desires in secret while remaining a gentleman in the eyes of polite society. Only his portrait bears the traces of his decadence. The Picture of Dorian Gray was a succès de scandal. Early readers were shocked by its hints of unspeakable sins, and the book was later used as evidence against Wilde at his trial at the Old Bailey in 1895.