Rating: ★★★★
“Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.”
Summary of The Picture of Dorian Gray
Dorian is a good-natured young man until he discovers the power of his own exceptional beauty. As he gradually sinks deeper into a frivolous, glamorous world of selfish luxury, he apparently remains physically unchanged by the stresses of his corrupt lifestyle and untouched by age. But up in his attic, hidden behind a curtain, his portrait tells a different story.
In this celebrated work Wilde forged a devastating portrait of the effects of evil and debauchery on a young aesthete in late-19th-century England. Combining elements of the Gothic horror novel and decadent French fiction, the book centers on a striking premise: As Dorian Gray sinks into a life of crime and gross sensuality, his body retains perfect youth and vigor while his recently painted portrait grows day by day into a hideous record of evil, which he must keep hidden from the world. For over a century, this mesmerizing tale of horror and suspense has enjoyed wide popularity. It ranks as one of Wilde’s most important creations and among the classic achievements of its kind.
My Review
This is probably going to be my toughest review to date. There are so many layers that contribute to this masterpiece in Victorian literature. I’m not a big fan of classics, but I’m trying to expand my reading palette lately, so I thought this was the perfect book for this. It’s been sitting on my bookshelf collecting dust long enough. Admittedly, this is a really tough read. Not at the level of the works of Bronte, Chekhov, Voltaire, but the themes in this book are complex and thought-provoking. One of Oscar Wilde’s best works. Everyone knows the story of Dorian Gray in some variation. The idea of not wanting to forfeit youth to the Father of time and the captivation of one’s own vitality and vanity are common themes in literature. The first modern depiction of “selling your soul for beauty” comes from classic fairy tales; evil queens and witches keep their souls trapped in mirrors, enchanting themselves so that their beauty is eternal. But there is always a price to pay. What makes “The Picture of Dorian Gray” so compelling is the transformation that occurs within his own character. He is written as the story’s villain, anti-hero and protagonist all in one.
This book is frequently advertised as classic LGBT literature. I read somewhere that Oscar Wilde himself was gay, but he couldn’t put much of his sexuality in this book because it would’ve been banned from publication back in the 19th-century. I kept trying to read in between the lines to see if any of the characters were gay, but not much came from that; they’re all canonically heterosexual, so I was slightly disappointed. Nonetheless, “The Picture of Dorian Gray” is a queer, odd book. A lot of the discourse and dialogue is meant to pose questions about society and how it views the beautiful and wealthy. Wilde is exceptionally skilled at conveying ideas that still are relevant today. Good looking people are highly valued, treated like Gods compared to people who aren’t conventionally attractive. In 2024, I don’t think that has ever been more true. Pretty people are widely adored and go viral for simply being pretty. In the 19th century, Dorian Gray was rewarded handsomely for his handsomeness. But this becomes a burden when he realizes this beauty, that is so revered and unattainable to others, is his only redeeming quality. He leads a comfortable, rich life, even though he isn’t born into wealth. Everything he has is because of his “prim rose lips and luscious golden hair,” so what happens when you grow old and beauty fades? This novel isn’t very long, but its message is universal.
“Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul.”
It all began with Basil Hallsward, the painter who created the object of Dorian Gray’s obsession. In the beginning, Basil admires Dorian for his childlike innocence and naivety. He paints this portrait that he considers to be his masterpiece, modeled after Dorian. They are joined one day by Lord Henry, the snake-tongued conspiratorially cynical friend of Basil who influences Dorian and alters his perspective on life. In his mind, beauty, pleasure, and wealth are the only things that matter. Morality is a foolish concept and should be abandoned. Henry fawns over Dorian and regales to him that his beauty is unmatched by any living man and he should wield it like a weapon. Dorian begins to ponder the twisted theories Henry presents to him about the world and determines that his beauty should not be lost to time, if it were to fade away, he would be ruined, so he prays to the portrait to preserve his youth. Let him always be as beautiful in life as he is on canvas.
Dorian falls in love with a young actress, Sybil Vane. Enamored by her talent and passion for art, he professes his desire to take her hand in marriage. Sybil, so consumed with her love for Dorian, abandons her artistry for true love. Dorian is disgusted by her and insults her, calling her shallow and uninspired. Soon after, she commits suicide. When he returns home that day, he glances upon his portrait and realizes that it has changed. No longer unblemished and perfect, the reflection that leers back at him is sinister and twisted, reflecting his sins. From there, Dorian Gray’s descent into madness begins. He lives 38 years and retains his youthful, prepubescent look while his infamous portrait grows withered and haggard. He becomes obsessed with materialism and rumors of him being a worshipper of Satan spread throughout London. Basil comes to confront Dorian and when Dorian shows him the portrait he drew just 18 years ago, Basil is horrified upon seeing the ruined deformity that has beseeched his masterpiece. He denounces Dorian and in a panicked state, is murdered by the younger man. He falls into in a state of persistent paranoia and sadness at committing the ultimate sin: murder and tarnishing his soul even more. Dorian Gray attempts to destroy the portrait and in the end, is found with a knife in his chest. The ending is intentionally ambiguous and adds an extra layer to the plot.
“Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter.”
The complexities in this book are so interesting. Dorian goes from a shy boy unaware of his own beauty to a mad murderer. Is his corruption because of a lack of morality or simply what happens when one’s identity is consumed with staying youthful. Dorian knows that he is not a good person and is constantly battling this dilemma because in society, he is seen as perfect: incorruptible and pure-hearted simply because of his everlasting beauty. Everyone in Dorian’s life is influenced by his corruption – they become drug addicts or wrapped up in despair and misfortune. Is this an extension of Dorian’s lack of soul or something deeper? Wilde challenges these ideas and comments on how society treats youth and vanity. Wilde isn’t the best novelist. He has a way with words, but at times the narration is confusing and clunky. Chapter 11. is probably one of the most boring chapters in any novel I’ve read and his characters are pretentious and incredibly sexist, narcissistic, or downright awful human beings. What makes this book so interesting is the clever dialogue and setting. Wilde writes like an overzealous professor lecturing first year students and admonishing them on how life sucks and morals are irrelevant. However, I really liked the themes in this novel and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good classic to kickstart their passion for old literature.
Ivy's Shelf 