The Picture of Dorian Gray
Oscar Wilde
‘The Picture of Dorian
Gray’ (1891) was the only novel written by Oscar Wilde and follows the story of
the young and handsome Dorian Gray. Dorian Gray, at the beginning of the novel,
has a portrait of himself painted and he is confronted with the true extent of
his beauty. After a conversation with the easy-going Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian
is fearful of what will happen to him when his beauty leaves him and old age
takes its place. He makes a wish, that “If it were I who were to be always young,
and the picture that was to grow old” which is fulfilled. Dorian Gray proceeds
to live a life of immorality, with the portrait acting as a constant reminder
of the effect of his sins and debauchery on his soul until he becomes tormented
by his own behaviour and the novel comes to a sombre but thrilling end.
I truly
enjoyed reading this thought provoking novel that makes you think about what
would happen if people were not called into check by the consequences of their
own actions and if they had no idea of empathy but were instead allowed to run
riot and do whatever they feel like. Dorian, throughout the majority of the
novel, is not haunted by his own misdemeanours and instead is thankful that he
has license to act as he wishes and enjoys watching the painting change as he
remains young and beautiful and is allowed to turn his back on the painting and
continue with his self-indulgent behaviour. The ending of the novel however is
a message to the reader that this type of selfish and hedonistic behaviour will
catch up with you in the end, and although the ending was not a ‘happy ending’
as one is pleased to read in most novels, it is certainly one which leaves an
imprint on you.
Right from
the first page of this book, I was amazed by the eloquent and rich writing
style of Oscar Wilde. Although this book is filled with brilliant descriptive
passages, it does not, at any point, become dull to read. The dialogue between
characters is pleasant although it is at times shocking to read the views and
opinions such as those of Lord Henry Wotton, who tells the easily influenced
Dorian Gray that the only way to resist temptation is to yield to it, to
experience everything without experiencing any remorse or consequences, and that
the most important thing is beauty. These views would be frowned upon by most
people but I found them thrilling to read and Lord Henry’s appearances in the
novel soon became something that I looked forward to.
After reading
this book, I would today rank it among my favourites. The story is captivating
and exciting and the grave and dramatic ending to the story makes you
understand the meaning of ‘Be careful what you wish for’ a little more than you
did before.
