Dorian Gray, the epitome of beauty, the personification of grace, charm, youth, innocence — Oscar Wilde's pawn through which he eviscerates a shallow world and satirizes its perceived values. Through Gray, Wilde depicts the consequences of self- and sole-gratifying pursuits at the expense of morality and depredation of the soul. He is the title character of the exceptional poet and playwright's only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, a story that soundly belongs amongst the greats of British literature.
The Picture of Dorian Gray's Premise, a Gothic Horror Equaling Poe's Greatest Stories
Wilde's tale begins with youthful innocence. Dorian Gray, a young, charming, and extremely handsome aristocrat, has become the subject of a talented artist's inspiration. The artist, Basil Hallward, produces several fantastic paintings, each better than the preceding piece, to which he credits Gray's mere unadulterated presence.
Hallward discloses his "curious artistic idolatry" for Gray to Lord Henry Wotton. Wotton, at first a fascinating and devilishly enticing character, does not practice what he preaches — his philosophies are entirely hedonistic, egocentric, and immoral, while his life remains boringly sedate. However, his own reserved nature does not stop him from promoting his selfish ideals in others.
Wotton, whose name bears a not-so-curious similarity to the word, "wanton," coerces Hallward to introduce him to Gray despite Hallward's better judgment. They meet when Gray sits for a portrait. Midway through the work, Wotton imposes his philosophies upon the impressionable Gray. He convinces Gray that youth and beauty are fleeting, exclaiming, "Youth! There is absolutely nothing in the world but youth!"
Feeling desperate and impassioned, Gray returns to Hallward. The painter finishes the portrait. It is Hallward's greatest work, depicting Gray in all his magnificent beauty. Deeply disturbed by the picture's lasting youthfulness and vigor while his own will eventually wane, Gray wishes that the portrait would age in his stead. He pledges his soul as consideration.
Under Wotton’s tutelage, Gray learns the ways of debauchery. After forsaking a lover for shallow reasons, Gray notices a change in his portrait. It has developed a more sinister smile. As he commits sin after sin, Gray notices more changes. It ages with time and reflects the cruelness within his true nature. All the while, Gray’s appearance remains young and handsome.
His wish had come true. Gray’s portrait bears the markings of his experiences, while Gray himself remains unscathed. But can he keep his sinful secrets and the mirror image of his soul that is the portrait hidden away from the world? Is there any chance for him to reverse the picture’s malevolent evolution with confession or redemption?
The Beauty of Gray – What Makes Wilde’s Picture of Dorian Gray Classic British Literature
Oscar Wilde’s voice was undoubtedly a brave one for its time. In fact, his fearless refusal to censor his work to the extent called for by a pseudo-moralistic public was perhaps ahead of its time.
Although The Picture of Dorian Gray is, at its core, a fascinating and macabre tale of horror, it also serves as a scathing commentary on contemporary class structures, the era’s politics, morality, art's usefulness, and “the importance of being earnest.”
According to the “Note” preceding Wilde’s story in Dover Publications, Inc.’s 1993 Dover Thrift Editions re-publication of The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde’s initial audience criticized his work for its “decadent aura” and “its perceived lack of moral message.” Although he lives a life of sleaze and, eventually, much worse, Gray is neither happy nor admirable. His inability to stomach the mere site of his portrait and, hence, the shameful life it represents illustrates the ill effects of an egocentric and immoral existence.
So-called “heroes” and “villains” alike meet with foul fates in Gray. But the “good” characters meet their fates with reader compassion. No tears are shed for Gray at the close of novel, nor is Wotton’s fate anything but sin revisited – his divorce having been caused by the very sins he espoused.
The Picture of Dorian Gray advocates, primarily through Wotton, a selfish way to live. But in the end, Wotton’s views seem irrational and in all ways wrong. Life comes full circle, youthful innocence falls victim to corruption, and the corruption comes to light. Balance is restored, and a beautiful novel concludes.
Jason Parent - Jason Parent earned his Bachelor's Degree in English in 2000 and his Juris Doctorate in 2006. He currently works as an attorney with a ...
