The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (Book Review and Summary)

The picture of Dorian Gray is considered to be the greatest work of Oscar Wilde and his only novel. It was first published by censoring some of the parts of the story which as deemed to be vulgar and inappropriate. I actually read the uncensored 13 chapter version but could not understand why it was recognized to be not suitable in the early 1900s .

 

The story revolves around the life of the charming and most handsome Dorian Gray who is invited to the studio by Basil Hallward who is a painter. Basil Hallward captures the utmost beauty of Dorian Gray in his painting so much so that he thinks that he has captured part of his affections for Dorian in the painting as well. Basil reveals this to Lord Henry who is close friend of his and from that moment Lord Henry is eager to be introduced to Dorian Gray.

 

The first encounter of Lord Henry with Dorian Gray is at the studio. Before their meeting it is Basil who says that

"He has a simple and a beautiful nature. Don't spoil him for me. Don’t try to influence him. Your influence would be bad."

It is almost as if Basil saw into the future because what unfolds in the story is basically how Lord Henry influences the particularly unblemished life of Dorian. It is ironically as to how much Lord Henry influences young Dorian in the sense that he considers all kinds of influence immoral.

 

When Lord Henry meets Dorian, he understands the magnificent beauty in the soul and appearance of the young boy. We see how Lord Henry influence the free spirit of Dorian. The way Lord Henry sees and thinks how the world should be could be summed up in the following way.

“I believe that if one man were to live his life out fully and completely, were to give form to every feeling, expression to every thought, reality to every dream—I believe that the world would gain such a fresh impulse of joy that we would forget all the maladies of Medievalism…" He further states that "the only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it."

 

The whole story revolves around Dorian pursuing this stream of thought and we see the toll of his actions in a totally unexpected manner. Everyone has deep desires that they are bound not to pursue either due to societal norms or norms or bindings that one has for oneself. It is Lord Henry that tempts the desires of Dorian. It is Lord Henry who strikes the vanity in Dorian towards his body and youth. He braces upon Dorian "Hedonism" which is the pursuit of pleasure which he sees as something that must be pursued together with youth and charm both of which as he rightfully says dies out.

 

His own youth and beauty is thrust upon him with Basil's painting and it is then the vanity and the desire to somehow retain everything as it was storms up on him. Looking at it, he wants it for eternity. He prays that ;

"If it was I who were to be always young, and the picture that were to grow old! For this—for this—I would give everything! Yes: there is nothing in the whole world I would not give!”

 

He would later understand that this dream comes true. His wonderful image does not tarnish with time and character but the painting does. As we continue on with the story we see that Dorian pursues a life of desires from Miss. Sybil Vane, countless other relationships, friendships and sensual pleasures. In all his relationships, he leaves a mark upon those involved. He loses his status in society and become secluded to himself all the while living a hedonist life style.  He is heavily influenced by the book 'The Secret of Raoul, by Catulle Sarrazin' which indulges upon the sensual pleasures of a man without being bound to the societal norms and Dorian feels as if he is living that life.

 

Back home from the extremism of engaging in fulfilling his sensual pleasures he himself sees that the painting of himself which was once divinely to look at is now tarnished beyond his wildest dreams. He is shocked in agony at his own state that he is bound by fear the painting would be discovered. He furthermore indulges himself upon the desire of sensual and carnal pleasures of life.

 

It is then that he meets Basil again. Basil is devastated, and distraught with what he had heard about Dorian within the community. He demands to know the reasons behind his actions and in turn Dorian takes him to show him his own creation which is now alarmingly grotesque. Basil is enveloped with horror with what he sees and cannot believe that the wonderful painting is now hideous. Dorian then says to Basil that it is the face of his soul and that it is not only god who gets to see his soul. Dorian regards that it is indeed Basil who is the destroyer is life and with a sudden hatred kills Basil.

 

Dorian's act of sin is also resembled in the painting. He is overcome with a deep disgust and takes actions to dispose of the body of his wonderful friend Basil. He now repents everything he had done in the past and tries to make amends for his actions by doing good much to the resentment of Lord Henry with whom he had kept contact with all this time. He has contempt towards Lord Henry and now realizes that the actions and influence that he had had over him.

 

With hopes of seeing reconciliation for his good deeds in the painting, he steals himself over towards it to only discover that nothing has changed to the grotesqueness of the image. He decides to destroy the painting once and forever and in doing so he stabs himself.

 

Looking at the story, it portrays the soul of a young man being tarnished due to his own actions and in his situation his soul is visible as a separate entity. However, it is a true realization to the fact that all of us do indeed have a hidden soul that however much we try to shield it from the exterior world it will be visible. The painting and Dorian are indeed not two separate entities but are together in one. And it was in deed in his eyes that he sees the painting being distorted, a look into his own soul.