The Picture of Dorian Gray

About the book

In London’s high society, the artist Basil Hallward paints a portrait of a handsome young man named Dorian Gray. Influenced by the hedonistic philosophy of Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian wishes that the canvas would age while he remains forever youthful. His wish is granted. As Dorian descends into a life of cruelty, debauchery, and hidden crime, his physical appearance stays flawless. Meanwhile, the hidden oil painting transforms into a hideous record of his moral rot, reflecting every sin and act of malice through physical deformity and corruption.

This novel appeals to readers of Gothic fiction and those interested in the decadence movement of the nineteenth century. It serves as a study of the tension between aesthetic beauty and internal morality. Readers find a cautionary narrative regarding the pursuit of pleasure without consequence. The text provides a specific look at late-Victorian anxieties about art, obsession, and the dual nature of the human psyche, leaving the audience to consider whether an image can truly capture the weight of a person's soul.

Details

Published

1890

Publisher

Lulu.com

ISBN

9780359788330

Language

EN