The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

In Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian Gray possesses everything one may wish for -beauty, purity, and goodness - untainted by the corruption that lurks in Victorian society. But when he gets his portrait painted by his friend Basil Hallward, he meets the enigmatic Lord Henry Wotton, who plants in his mind the idea that youth is fleeting yet most valued. Influenced by Lord Henry, Dorian wishes for the everlasting beauty that his portrait holds and that it be touched by time instead. His wish is granted, but he pays a terrible price for his newfound hedonism: the deterioration of his once-flawless portrait for every sin that he commits.

Beautifully written with flowery yet precise word choice, this haunting tale illustrates how the innocent, untried human mind can so easily be bent to one’s crooked will on false promises of pleasure. Figurative language is omnipresent in the novel, providing a unique and refreshing perspective on the internal conflicts that plague Dorian. Though this book was rather scandalous during the Victorian era, it allows one in modern times to self-reflect on the superficial qualities that were as attractive to Dorian as they are to us today. With the sophistication that is characteristic of Victorian literature and a touch of eeriness, The Picture of Dorian Gray will leave readers full of empty sorrow for the destruction of such a pure soul like Dorian Gray.

Review written by Eliana, Grade 11