Oscar Wilde, Skyhigh Publication: Picture of Dorian Gray (2020, Independently Published)
English language
Published Nov. 19, 2020 by Independently Published.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is a philosophical novel by Oscar Wilde. A shorter novella-length version was published in the July 1890 issue of the American periodical Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine. The novel-length version was published in April 1891.
The story revolves around a portrait of Dorian Gray painted by Basil Hallward, a friend of Dorian’s and an artist infatuated with Dorian’s beauty. Through Basil, Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton and is soon enthralled by the aristocrat’s hedonistic worldview: that beauty and sensual fulfillment are the only things worth pursuing in life. Newly understanding that his beauty will fade, Dorian expresses the desire to sell his soul, to ensure that the picture, rather than he, will age and fade. The wish is granted, and Dorian pursues a libertine life of varied amoral experiences while staying young and beautiful; all the while, his portrait ages and visually records every one of …
The Picture of Dorian Gray is a philosophical novel by Oscar Wilde. A shorter novella-length version was published in the July 1890 issue of the American periodical Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine. The novel-length version was published in April 1891.
The story revolves around a portrait of Dorian Gray painted by Basil Hallward, a friend of Dorian’s and an artist infatuated with Dorian’s beauty. Through Basil, Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton and is soon enthralled by the aristocrat’s hedonistic worldview: that beauty and sensual fulfillment are the only things worth pursuing in life. Newly understanding that his beauty will fade, Dorian expresses the desire to sell his soul, to ensure that the picture, rather than he, will age and fade. The wish is granted, and Dorian pursues a libertine life of varied amoral experiences while staying young and beautiful; all the while, his portrait ages and visually records every one of Dorian’s sins.
Wilde’s only novel, it was subject to much controversy and criticism in its time but has come to be recognized as a classic of gothic literature.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Glad I finally read this one! On the whole really enjoyed it. Lovely prose. Could have really done without the abhorrent antisemitism though.
The Picture of Dorian Gray contains several amounts of humour and paradoxes. I quite liked reading it.
On one level it's an enjoyable gothic horror/comedic classic, with very "extra" characters swooning around and making declarations.
But considering Wilde's own life and his very public conduct thereof, it's just a tragic self-portrait of a man wracked by guilt and shame and a public who validated his self-condemnation.
Lord Henry's outrageous inversions of common values are often comedic nonsense. But sometimes they seem more authentic than the original sentiment they play off, and it's those moments when Wilde's self-flagellation is paused and his punishing art hits society broadside. Hey wait, what? He must have seemed like such a troll to the Victorians.
Amazingly modern in feel, save for the obvious plesantaries of the setting. Highly recommended!
For such a small novel, there is plenty of content. And that is how it should be, for if the main theme is Art (as the prologue might suggest)it ought to be complicated and thoughtful. After all, how would you answer the question: what is art?
In Wilde's only novel, Art is personified in Dorian Gray. The artists (there are two, Basil and Lord Henry)each contribute to this Art in their own way, and together with Dorian Gray, prove that "Art is quite useless." But what draws us to the Art? What is its soul? Is it constant like the Dorian's youth or does it change like his portrait in the attic? Does the application of Art determine its morality? Does it have morality?
This, of course, is just one layer of this insanely complex novel. It is also an analysis of a sort of nihilism, of innocence vs. experience, …
For such a small novel, there is plenty of content. And that is how it should be, for if the main theme is Art (as the prologue might suggest)it ought to be complicated and thoughtful. After all, how would you answer the question: what is art?
In Wilde's only novel, Art is personified in Dorian Gray. The artists (there are two, Basil and Lord Henry)each contribute to this Art in their own way, and together with Dorian Gray, prove that "Art is quite useless." But what draws us to the Art? What is its soul? Is it constant like the Dorian's youth or does it change like his portrait in the attic? Does the application of Art determine its morality? Does it have morality?
This, of course, is just one layer of this insanely complex novel. It is also an analysis of a sort of nihilism, of innocence vs. experience, of that age old question of whether it is better to be just than to do whatever you want, vanity, etc. All of which are treated in the same manner: questions raised, but are there any answers?
Perhaps there are, but there are only hints at them, and perhaps they change as we do with each experience and with each change. Perhaps this change is better carried by us then by a portrait. Perhaps there is ultimately no significant difference in the end.
