The Picture of Dorian Gray, is the classic only novel by Oscar Wilde. I had always wanted to read something by Wilde, so I was excited to read this novel and see all his clever witticisms. I also chose to read this because it was free on my Kindle, and I haven't read anything on my Kindle in a long time. The story did not disappoint.
Dorian Gray is a beautiful, vain, young English aristocrat, who has a portrait painted of him by Basil Hallward. Dorian is worried that his beauty will someday fade, and makes the wish that the painting will age, and he will stay exactly the same. Dorian quickly falls in love with a young peasant actress, and they become engaged, but when her acting falters, he breaks her heart and she committs suicide. Dorian is distraught, and when he goes home he realizes that the painting now has a sinister smile. It is the painting that is bearing all the look of his sin. The painting is a visual representation of his conscience. He hides the painting in his attic, unable to bear the sight of it.
However, Dorian is persuaded by his best friend Lord Henry that the only way to experience life is to live by your senses. Dorian sets off on a sinful life, devoted to experiencing every emotion and pleasure that life could offer. Wilde does not explicitly state what these sins were, leaving it up to the reader to imagine for themselves based on their own conscience. Many years pass with Dorian living this double life. 18 years pass, but he does not age one bit, while the painting grows hideous.
One night, Basil confronts Dorian about his sins, and after showing him the painting, Dorian stabs him in cold murder. He blackmails another friend into helping him cover it up and destroying the body. Dorian by now is terrified of his conscience. He goes off to the countryside with other nobles, but he is now hunted by the actress's brother, who vows revenge. This man is accidently shot during a hunting expedition, and Dorian believes he is saved. He swears a new life free from sin. He believes he is finally changed. However, upon viewing the painting, his soul is worse than ever, since it is all a charade and hypocritical. Dorian stabs the painting, at which the spell is broken and his body is old and with a knife in its chest, while the painting is restored to it's original beauty.
Dorian Gray is the story of the corruption of the soul and conscience, and it caused an uproar for its indecency in 1890 London. Many critics believed that Wilde actually practised many of these sins for himself, but they failed to see his warning in the book. It is actually a very moral book with a strong message. It is wonderfully written, and Lord Henry is a favorite character. He is witty, espousing his many theories about humanity and culture. Lord Henry lives for pleasure and critiquing all of London society. He wants excitement, not boredom.
I have rented a movie adaptation of the book, and am excited to see its portrayal. Four out of five stars.
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