Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray Essay -- Wilde Dorian Gray Pi

Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian GrayThe Picture of Dorian Gray is a figment by Oscar Wilde. The genre of this reinvigorated can be classified as a comedy of manners or a gothic novel. The Picture of Dorian Gray was first published in 1890 in Lippincotts Monthly Magazine. Another version with an additional six chapters was published in 1891. One of the study themes in the novel was the Supremacy of Beauty and Youth. A very attractive man has a portrait painted of himself, and after being warned of the mortality of his youthfulness the man, Dorian, trades his soul to remain young while his portrait bears the markings of his age and evil deeds. Dorian becomes increasingly evil thoughout the novel, while constantly being encouraged by Lord Henry Wotton. Eventually Dorian can no longer bear the person he sees in his portrait so he tries to drop the painting but ultimately he destroys himself.In The Picture of Dorian Gray, the characters are predominantly aristocratic males. The ma in character is Dorian Gray, a besotted young man who is both a handsome and a very impressionable young man. Basil Hallward is an artist who was obsessed with Dorian, naming him his muse and obtain of inspiration. Lord Henry Wotton is a friend of Basil Hallward who makes young Dorian his protg, teaching him his philosophy of new Hedonism. Sibyl Vane was a young actress who caught the mall of Dorian during one of her performances, after being spurned by Dorian she is heartbroken and commits suicide. James Vane is the brother of Sibyl Vane. He did not approve of Dorian from the start, so he wanted to murder Dorian to avenge the death of his sister.The setting of The Picture of Dorian Gray is London, England. The story takes place from the years 1890 to 1908.In the years between 1890 and 1908, Dorian succumbs to the influence of Lord Henry Wotton. Because of this, Dorian disregards morality and follows Wottons new Hedonistic philosophy. Dorian became a very cruddy man on the insid e while still remaining young and beautiful on the outside. In The Picture of Dorian Gray, in that location were quite a few symbols. Three of these symbols were opium dens, James Vane, and the yellow book. The opium dens represent Dorian Grays state of mind. He uses the opium to try to forget his actions, just as he tries to rationalize these actions so he can ignore his consci... ...to find, Dorian, an old disfigured man lying dead on the floor with a knife in his heart.In the beginning of the novel Dorian Gray was a bright and charming young man. By the end of the novel, because he was so easily influenced, he became a selfish and cruel person. Various conflicts in the novel cause Dorian to change. In every traumatic event Lord Henry was there leading him into the lifestyle of selfish pleasure. Dorian Gray was physically attractive but that did not matter because he was such a foul putz on the inside.The Picture of Dorian Gray was very well written. Wilde used witty and colorf ul dialogue to grab the readers attention. This is an enjoyable novel that is still somewhat relevant in modern times. Dorian got away with his sins longer because he looked youthful and innocent on the outside so mint did not want to believe he had a bad character. This proves that sometimes, appearances can over rule reality. This is an enjoyable novel that is still somewhat relevant in modern times.Works Cited1. Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Ed. Donald Lawler. New York W. W. Norton, 1988.