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Alex Hoyle

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

by Oscar Wilde

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Alex Hoyle said: " "The Picture of Dorian Gray" takes a deep look at how powerful the youth can be. This book briefly portrayed our protagonist, Dorian Gray, as an innocent, wondersome young lad who was carefree and ready to live life. This was soon put to a stop when "The Picture of Dorian Gray" takes a deep look at how powerful the youth can be. This book briefly portrayed our protagonist, Dorian Gray, as an innocent, wondersome young lad who was carefree and ready to live life. This was soon put to a stop when he meets Basil Hallward an artist and who we would call the antagonist, Lord Henry Wotton. Basil creats a portrait of Dorian that is the most beautifuly and masterfuly painted picture of his time. After Dorian sets eyes upon his portrait, he is terrified of what he sees. Just before hand he had had a lengthy conversation with Lord Henry where the phrase "youth is the one thing worth having" was used repeatedly. Dorian become afraid of losing his youth so he curses his portrait, unconsciously, so that he may remain youthful and the picture will take the "beating" per se of all his sins.

The genre of this book could be considered gothic. Dorian creats this sort of horror story with all the sins and vile crimes he commits. Death is the main reason that this book can be categorized under gothic. Dorian creates this horrific atmosphere in the 1890's in London. He enjoys living the double life of going to the clubs and white-collar dinners, but then late at night doing terrible things. On one such instance he kills Basil and the next day goes to a dinner and acts like nothing has happened.

The purpose of art and the supremacy of youth and beauty are two running themes throughout the book. This book continually describes Dorian as beautiful and handsome and marvalous and wonderful and flawless, which is a bit grotesque. Art obviously plays a part in this book thematicaly. His picture is the biggest symbol of this art theme. It plays a huge roll in what decisions Dorian makes becuase he now knows he can get away with things that he couldn't possibly done without the portrait. Also, his best friend and first love were also artists' which makes this theme even more prominent.

Dorians' biggest problem would be Lord Henry. Lord Henry inserts thoughts and philosophies in Dorians' mind that in the end this is what destroys him. From the third person point of view the book is in, the reader can easily see that Lord Henry is carving a destructive path is Dorians' life. His "puppy-like" loyalty toward Lord Henry causes him to do terrible acts and leaves him friendless, save on, which is ironically, Lord Henry.

Oscar Wilde is the most descriptive authors I have ever read from. He wraps you in his world and keeps you there. After reading for a little while, you feel that you are actually in London and you have seen all the incredible things Dorian has acquired. Dorian can have a brief thought about jewels and Wilde will give you a whole chapter on what kind of jewels they were, where he got them, and why they are important in society.

"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelly is a book similar to "The Picture of Dorian Gray". Victor in "Frankenstein" creats his creature whereas Lord Henry creates Dorian Gray, not necessarily in body, but in soul. "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson shows a different similarity than "Frankenstein". In Robert Louis Stevensons' novel, Dr. Jekyll lives this double life when he transforms into Mr. Hyde which is similar to the way Dorian lives his double life as a criminal. All three of these books are classics and they are all similar in some aspects which goes to show you how they got famous in the first place.

The plot of this book is one that interested me very much. The complexity of the characters minds make you think about things you never would have thought about before. Also, Dorians' youth makes the book easier to relate to. For these reasons, this book would be great for young adult readers. ...more "

Dec 14, 2009 02:45PM · see review