The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

 

     Oscar Wilde is a fascinating literary figure. He was a poet, magazine editor, and playwright. «The Picture of Dorian Gray» (1891) is his only novel, a classical instance of the aestheticism of the late 19th centery's  English literature. 

     The plot of «The Picture of Dorian Gray» is serious and, at times, even somber. This story begins with the friendship of three men.  Basil Hallward is an artist, Dorian Gray is a young and handsome man and Basil’s close friend Sir Henry Wotton. Basil is obsessed with Dorian, whom he sees as his muse.  He introduces Dorian to Lord Henry, a man of strong opinions who believes that beauty, youth, and pleasure are the only things that matter. Wotton influences Dorian in another way, which is to convince him that there is no purpose in morality.  To oversimplify a bit, Wotton believes that morality is unnatural, that people must behave in a manner that is true to themselves regardless of society’s views of morality. Under Wotton’s influence, Dorian becomes so afraid of losing his youth and beauty, that when he sees his finished portrait, he cries out that he would give his soul if only the painting could grow older and he stay the same. The saying "be careful what you wish for" has arguably never been more apt in literature than it is in this classic novel. Ironically, Dorian’s been given what he wanted – a life of eternal beauty – but now he’s trapped by the need to keep others from discovering his secret.

     Throughout the book, Wilde contrasts ideas of age, physical beauty, wealth, pleasure, art and morality.  Which of these things are essential to living a happy life? Another is the idea of morality itself.  The book is a reflection of its time, the end of the Victorian period, and the beginning of freer thinking about science and spirituality.  While the book may have been decried as immoral, and Wilde himself said that art shouldn’t be about morality, it left me with the profound sense that a life well-lived must include living by a code of ethics.  Dorian Gray has physical perfection but lives a life of fear and unhappiness.

     Wilde is not obsessed with describing settings in detail as a novelist. But the brevity of description is masterfully covered in the warm and witty conversations that fill most of the novel.  Women, America, faithfulness, stupidity, marriage, romance and humanity are just some of the numerous targets of Wilde's criticism, which the readers receive from the sharp but sweet tongue of Lord Henry. 

     I’m glad I read the book, if only to further understand the story and what Oscar Wilde was getting at. However, I would not particularly recommend it for anyone under 13 age as the themes and comments on the values of individuals and society  may not appeal as much to a younger audience.