The Picture of Dorian Gray
Before the Book:
- The preface of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is a series of aphorisms that deal with beauty, art, artists, and critics. They talk about beauty and how it should be admired without trying to find fault or meaning in it. One of the lines that most stuck me was, “There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all” (Wilde 2). I know this book received a lot of criticism when it was first published, so this quote from Wilde sustains these notions. Wilde also stresses that one should find beautiful meanings in beautiful things, but that trying to find a deeper meaning is dangerous. From the preface and what I know about the book, it is going to deal with a lot with the purpose of art, hedonism, and superficiality.
- I know the novel is about a man who longs to stay young and beautiful forever. It was scandalous when it came out. I also know Oscar Wilde wrote mainly plays and short stories. He was put on trial for reasons I do not know and exiled.
Chapters 1-4
- Summary: The novel starts off with Basil Hallward, a reclusive painter, entertaining his friend Lord Henry Wotton. Lord Henry admires one of Basil’s latest paintings and asks who the subject is. Basil tells him that it is Dorian Gray and goes on to tell Lord Henry how they met. Basil described Dorian as the most beautiful man on Earth. Lord Henry wants to meet Dorian Gray but Basil says that he would a bad influence on Dorian. Right then, the butler announces that Dorian has arrived. Dorian insists that Lord Henry stay and they sit while Basil paints Dorian. Afterwards, Lord Henry tells Dorian to live life to the fullest, as he is not going to stay young and beautiful forever. This has a deep effect on Dorian, who is intrigued by Lord Henry. Dorian becomes upset and states that he would give his soul to have the painting age and not him. He leaves with Lord Henry. Lord Henry goes to visit his uncle the next day to find out more information about Dorian. Lord Henry then goes to dine with his aunt, Dorian, and others from London’s elite social class.
- Character Development: The reader is first introduced to Basil Hallward and Lord Henry Wotton. Basil is a reclusive artist. He refuses to display his painting of Dorian Gray because it reveals too much of himself. He describes Dorian in such a way that suggests obsession and homosexual feelings. Basil says, “Every day. I couldn't be happy if I didn't see him every day. He is absolutely necessary to me” (Wilde 11). Basil and Lord Henry seem very different. Lord Henry is very opinionated and independent. He believes that one should also seek pleasure. He even criticizes his aunt for being involved in philanthropic work. Lord Henry encourages immoral behavior and hedonism. Basil, who is often disagrees with Lord Henry, is more moral and reserved. Dorian Gray is also introduced. He is described as, “wonderfully handsome, with his finely curved scarlet lips, his frank blue eyes, his crisp gold hair” (18). He seems naïve and is taken back by the things Lord Henry says. He completely changes and becomes extremely upset when he realizes his beauty will fade. At the dinner party, Dorian listens attentively to Lord Henry’s ideas of how one’s life should be spent appreciating beauty and seeking out pleasure rather than searching for ways to alleviate pain and tragedy.
- Language: Wilde doesn’t really offer explicit descriptions of his characters besides Dorian Gray. He instead describes little gestures and actions of Basil and Lord Henry. He also includes a lot of imagery, focusing on light and odor. As in, “The studio was filled with the rich odour of roses, and when the light summer wind stirred amidst the trees of the garden, there came through the open door the heavy scent of the lilac, or the more delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn” (Wilde 3). These images are important for setting the mood of the play. The deep aromas Wilde describes make for a luxurious and decadent setting.
- Memorable Passage: “Yes, Mr. Gray, the gods have been good to you. But what the gods give they quickly take away. You have only a few years in which to live really, perfectly, and fully. When your youth goes, your beauty will go with it, and then you will suddenly discover that there are no triumphs left for you, or have to content yourself with those mean triumphs that the memory of your past will make more bitter than defeats…”(Wilde 24).
