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Oscar Wilde’s only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890), is a haunting meditation on vanity, corruption, and the duality of human nature. Set in the decadent backdrop of Victorian London, the novel explores the consequences of a life devoted solely to pleasure and appearance.
The story follows Dorian Gray, a handsome young man whose portrait is painted by the artist Basil Hallward. Influenced by the hedonistic Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian wishes to remain young forever, while the portrait bears the burden of age and guilt. This supernatural wish is mysteriously granted.
Body:
As Dorian indulges in a life of sin and moral decay, his portrait becomes increasingly grotesque, showing the consequences of his actions, while his outer appearance remains youthful and beautiful. The painting becomes a metaphor for his hidden conscience—locked away, but silently recording the truth.
Wilde’s novel is a critique of a society obsessed with physical beauty and shallow pleasures. It warns against the cost of living without responsibility or moral grounding. The Gothic elements—mystery, supernatural events, and moral horror—deepen the psychological and philosophical impact of the story.
Eventually, Dorian tries to destroy the painting in an attempt to sever his connection to his corrupted soul. But in doing so, he kills himself. The portrait returns to its original form, and his body reflects the ugliness of his hidden sins.
Conclusion:
The Picture of Dorian Gray remains a timeless and thought-provoking reflection on aestheticism, self-deception, and the moral price of indulgence.
References:
Wilde, O. (1890). The Picture of Dorian Gray. Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine.
Ellmann, R. (1988). Oscar Wilde. Vintage.
SparkNotes. (n.d.). The Picture of Dorian Gray. Retrieved July 21, 2025, from https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/doriangray/