The Picture of Dorian Gray

-Oscar Wilde

The English saying “Be careful what you wish for” has never been more apt than in this Classic Victorian novel. When young Dorian Gray is influenced by Lord Henry’s warning that he has a few years to live a perfect life due to his transiency of his youth and beauty he wishes for his portrait to change with time instead.

The beautiful novel of Oscar Wilde tells the dreamlike story of a young man named Dorian Gray who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. In the novel, Wilde’s story follows the ill effects of evil, sin and sensual pleasures on a young aristocrat in 19th century England. The novel combines elements of a Gothic horror novel and a decadent French Fiction, the book centre’s on a striking premise.

As Dorian Gray sinks into the life of crime and evil, as well as gross sensuality, his body retains his perfect youth and vigour while on the other hand, his recently painted portrait grows day by day into a hideous record of evil which he keeps it a secret from the world.

When we consider the mannered culture of the late 1800s, self-image preoccupation becomes clear as the selfishness and pride that motivated Dorian’s desire for youthful beauty in the first place. By going to chic dinner parties with affluent people, Dorian hopes to elevate his social status and gain popularity. The work is a fascinating social and moral critique because of how Dorian’s social goals result in his demise.

Dorian comes from a wealthy family. Both Lord Henry and a book that Henry provides him have a significant impact on him.
When he looks at the self-portrait that his friend Basil painted of him, he is immediately conscious of how young and attractive he is.He wishes to swap places with the picture, determining to lead a life of decadence, embracing all the excesses of life, moral or immoral.

Sibyl Vane is a working-class girl who is incredibly attractive, youthful, and naive. She falls in love with Dorian while working as a skilled actor in one of London’s lesser recognized theatres. Dorian is enchanted by Sibyl’s youth, beauty, and innocence, and she acts as the trigger that changes and transforms him from an immoral to a loyal character.

He is initially strongly persuaded by Lord Henry to lead a life of extravagance, but after meeting Sibyl, he realizes that his new relationship is a lifeline to leading a meaningful life.

Upon meeting her, Dorian learns his longing for goodness and purity, and Sibyl’s nature causes him to undergo a huge metamorphosis. When she is rendered helpless, Dorian reacts in a vile and ruthless way that displays the portrait’s true colours. To sum up, Dorian’s reaction to Sibyl’s death finally causes him to lose moral integrity and commit suicide.