The Picture Of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde

The Picture of Dorian Gray takes place in the late 19th century, and follows a young man named Dorian Gray, a young, cheery youth, who is friends with Basil Hallward, a serious artist. While Lord Henry, a hedonistic nobleman, and Basil are talking at his home, the subject of Dorian comes up, and it is revealed that Dorian is coming to Basil's home soon to pose for his portrait. Lord Henry talks to Dorian while he is sitting, and when Dorian is told of how his good looks and youth will soon vanish and he will no longer be valued, Dorian cries out how he wishes that the portrait, which shall never change, ages while he stays the same, for the price of his soul. Influenced by Lord Henry, Dorian soon engages a lifestyle of passions, both moral and immoral. This novel has themes of greed, passion, death, romance, vanity, passion, and hedonism. Wilde uses English typical of that time, for both the working/under classes and upper classes, and he uses a third person view, but mainly portrays Dorian's thoughts and emotions.

This novel has issues that pertain to people of all ages, excluding very young children, because anyone can learn from the examples of moral corruption in this novel. Dorian, who initially symbolizes youth, is a beautiful, innocent young man, but through the influence of Lord Henry, who can be interpreted as the devil, becomes nothing but a shallow, greedy, materialistic, vain man who lives only for himself and his various passions and pleasures. There are also interpretable issues of homosexuality. Before Basil meets Dorian, he experienced feelings that he had never felt before, and after he meets him, he frequently states that Dorian "completes" his art, and feels a deep infatuation for him, as expressed when he initially disapproves of Sibyl Vane, an actress who Dorian was in love with.

I have not read anything in the past, both curricular and extra-curricular, that is similar to this book, and that was one of the charms of reading this novel; it was such a new experience. Never before had I read a book, which so efficiently and fluently mixes drama, morals, fantasy, and philosophy like this novel. Therefore, I feel that Oscar Wilde couldn't have done anything to improve this novel, because it is such a masterpiece, with such a great plot and exquisite writing.

Oscar Wilde uses personification in many places, especially in the chapter where he is describing all the things that Dorian is interested in, such as the many pieces of art and perfumes. He also uses symbolism to a great extent, using Dorian as a misguided youth, tempted by the ideals of Lord Henry, who can be seen as a devil or desire, and is tried to set straight by Basil, who can be seen as an Angel, or some holier being, or reason.

I recommend this book to anyone who is sufficiently mature to handle the subject matter, as there is suicide, murder, and use of drugs. I also recommend it to anyone who can appreciate writing of this style, so in most cases, they would be older teens and onwards, although not necessarily so. Anyone who can handle these, however, should read this novel as soon as they can, because it is a wholly enriching experience, regardless of gender or most ages.