The Picture of Dorian Gray

Oscar Wilde
The Picture of Dorian Gray - Free
1891

Photograph taken in 1882 by Napoleon Sarony.

The Picture of Dorian Gray was first published as a story in 1890. Wilde later added more chapters and amended the story to produce the novel version. Wilde was known for his wit and wordplay. 

A gentleman is one who never hurts anyone’s feelings unintentionally.

He was a leading playwright in London in the 1890’s. Dorian Gray was criticized for its homosexual allusions. Wilde was tried and imprisoned for gross indecency attributed to his homosexual behavior. He was sentenced to two years hard labor. He was a very controversial figure in London society and after his imprisonment he moved away to the European mainland. 

Wilde was critical of the penal system after his release publishing poems and writing letters to newspapers. He never fully recovered from injuries sustained in prison and died an early death a few years later at 46.

Ballad of Reading Gaol -Free

The Ballad of Reading Gaol (pronounced redding jail) is the main poem critical of the penal system and calling for reform, written by Oscar Wilde.

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a story set in England following the main character Dorian Gray. He is having his portrait painted by a friend of his, Basil, and having a lively witty discussion. After the portrait is finished Dorian laments that he will grow old and lose his looks.

How sad it is!’ murmured Dorian Gray, with his eyes still fixed upon his own portrait. ‘How sad it is! I shall grow old, and horrible, and dreadful. It will never be older than this particular day of June. . . . If it were only the other way! If it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! For that – for that – I would give everything! Yes, there is nothing in the whole world I would not give! I would give my soul for that!’

Be careful what you wish for! Dorian’s Faustian wish comes true and he falls for a life of hedonistic pleasures. He becomes quite reckless never worrying about growing old or causing harm. Dorian loses his youthful charisma and comes to be disliked by his former friends. 

This story has been adapted into numerous film versions, Dorian Gray Films, including a 2010 version with Colin Firth. The character of Dorian Gray is also in the film, A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003), as a literary superhero. 

The wit and the dialogues are very interesting and funny. The story is very good from beginning to end with a great ending that will keep you thinking long after you have read it. Oscar Wilde was a true master story teller. This is one of my favorite stories by him and the one that made me read his other works. 

I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying.

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