Book Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray
The novel is a story of a young man, Dorian Gray, who gets his portrait made by a renowned artist, Basil Hallward, and the portrait in question eventually becomes the reason for his ruin. In the beginning, the character of Dorian Gray is introduced to us as a youth possessing astonishing charm and beauty. It's his beauty that first mesmerises Mr. Hallward who then tries to replicate his likeness onto the canvas. The painter falls in love with his own handiwork and also with the person who inspired it in the first place. He begins treating Gray as an artwork himself and develops a strange tendency to protect him from the prying eyes of the world lest he be "spoilt" by the exposure.
Speaking of spoil and exposure, another important character, Lord Henry, Hallward's friend, is introduced here, who upon realising Gray's importance in Hallward's eyes grows rather curious about the lad. He makes obvious efforts to befriend Gray and to steal him away, so to speak, with his cosmopolitanism and exaggerated witticisms. Henry, who's much advanced in age and experience and has a knack of spinning elaborate discourses, persuades Gray of his extraordinary looks and what possessing such outwardly charm and grace might might mean for a young bachelor like himself. He tells him how his looks could get him to places and might even allow him to indulge in activities, moral corruptions to be more precise, that an ordinary person wouldn't be allowed to engage in. Gray is happy to hear all this, but soon realises the impermanence of his youth and the transience that it engenders. And with this realization comes the despair that thoroughly engulfs him and also the instant disgust that he feels for his picture. He curses Hallward for creating the painting and making him realize what he's going to be dispossessed of very soon, and the painting would always be there to serve as a bitter reminder of what he had and and what he couldn't possibly ever have again.In this moment of rage and jealousy, he utters a prayer that it is his picture that goes through the torture of time and age and not he himself, and, strangely enough, he gets his wishes too. The picture of Dorian Gray alters with time, becoming more and more hideous as Gray continues getting involved in one evil act after another, but he himself remains as youthful and radiant as ever before.
Speaking of spoil and exposure, another important character, Lord Henry, Hallward's friend, is introduced here, who upon realising Gray's importance in Hallward's eyes grows rather curious about the lad. He makes obvious efforts to befriend Gray and to steal him away, so to speak, with his cosmopolitanism and exaggerated witticisms. Henry, who's much advanced in age and experience and has a knack of spinning elaborate discourses, persuades Gray of his extraordinary looks and what possessing such outwardly charm and grace might might mean for a young bachelor like himself. He tells him how his looks could get him to places and might even allow him to indulge in activities, moral corruptions to be more precise, that an ordinary person wouldn't be allowed to engage in. Gray is happy to hear all this, but soon realises the impermanence of his youth and the transience that it engenders. And with this realization comes the despair that thoroughly engulfs him and also the instant disgust that he feels for his picture. He curses Hallward for creating the painting and making him realize what he's going to be dispossessed of very soon, and the painting would always be there to serve as a bitter reminder of what he had and and what he couldn't possibly ever have again.In this moment of rage and jealousy, he utters a prayer that it is his picture that goes through the torture of time and age and not he himself, and, strangely enough, he gets his wishes too. The picture of Dorian Gray alters with time, becoming more and more hideous as Gray continues getting involved in one evil act after another, but he himself remains as youthful and radiant as ever before.
The rest of the novel shows how, given the knowledge that whatever he does would bear no consequences upon his persona, Gray starts leading a completely unchecked lifestyle. In fact, he approaches his picture in an entirely experimental manner, and regularly checks how his actions impact it day after day. He gets bolder and bolder as he realises that those around have no inkling of how disgusting a human being he has actually become. To be honest, it would be wrong to say that they do not have an idea because they kind of do. But they're always unable to pinpoint the actual vile things that he does, and remain unable to blame him for anything because of his seemingly innocent and incorruptible countenance. The magnitude of his evil acts keeps increasing as the plot develops and the reader gets to see it reflected the portrait that Gray keeps hidden in the attic of his house. I will not comment on the actual vile things he does or the ending of the book for the sake of not spoiling for those who have yet to read the book. But I'd would like to comment on the book generally and what I felt while reading it.
First of all, the prose is exquisite. It's so good that I could literally use all the quotations and get them framed to be displayed in the house. Those of you who live by the quotes and browse the internet to get hold of them MUST read this book. You can thank me later lol!! Also the characters are just so beautifully crafted that you cannot help being in love with them. Lord Henry, despite being an absolutely wicked person that he is, still has a charm and an intelligence to win anyone who appreciates words over. And I like how out rightly blatant Gray is about the developments in his character. He's not ashamed of what he does, he never tries to justify his actions, and never feels even a speck of remorse in his heart. He sometimes even enjoys fooling all those around him. It's amazing how Wilde writes so openly and fearlessly and doesn't bother to mellow down the effect of his work by trying humanize his characters even in the slightest. I'm a huge fan and can't wait to read more by him.
First of all, the prose is exquisite. It's so good that I could literally use all the quotations and get them framed to be displayed in the house. Those of you who live by the quotes and browse the internet to get hold of them MUST read this book. You can thank me later lol!! Also the characters are just so beautifully crafted that you cannot help being in love with them. Lord Henry, despite being an absolutely wicked person that he is, still has a charm and an intelligence to win anyone who appreciates words over. And I like how out rightly blatant Gray is about the developments in his character. He's not ashamed of what he does, he never tries to justify his actions, and never feels even a speck of remorse in his heart. He sometimes even enjoys fooling all those around him. It's amazing how Wilde writes so openly and fearlessly and doesn't bother to mellow down the effect of his work by trying humanize his characters even in the slightest. I'm a huge fan and can't wait to read more by him.
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