THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY
BY O. WILDE
IT IS THE STORY OF A HANDSOME YOUNG MAN WHO MAKES A WISH, TO REMAIN FOREVER YOUNG, BY SELLING HIS SOUL TO THE DEVIL. HIS PORTRAIT WILL GROW OLD AND UGLY, IN HIS PLACE, WHILE HE WILL DEVOTE HIMSELF TO A LIFE OF PLEASURE AND CRIMES....
THE PLOT OF THE NOVEL
MAIN CHARACTER: DORIAN
OTHER CHARACTERS:
BASIL HALLWARD, THE PAINTER;
LORD HENRY WOTTON, A NOBLE PERSON
SYBIL VANE , AN ACTRESS
CHARACTERS
FEATURES OF THE NOVEL
-THE NOVEL IS SET IN LONDON AT THE END OF 19TH CENTURY.
-IT IS NARRATED IN THE 3RD PERSON. -THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHARACTERS COMES FROM WHAT THEY SAY OR OTHER PEOPLE SAY OF THEM.
-WORDS APPEALING TO THE SENSES ARE USED.
-IT IS AN ALLEGORICAL STORY, A MODERN VERSION OF THE MYTH OF FAUST
FAUST WAS A MAN WHO SOLD HIS SOUL TO THE DEVIL SO THAT ALL HIS DESIRES MIGHT BE SATISFIED.
THE PICTURE STANDS FOR:
THE DARK SIDE OF DORIAN'S PERSONALITY;
HIS SOUL;
THE IMMORALITY AND BAD CONSCIENCE OF THE VICTORIAN MIDDLE CLASS.
THE FINAL RESTORED PICTURE IS AN EXAMPLE THAT ART SURVIVES PEOPLE AND IT IS ETERNAL.
MEANING OF THE PICTURE
EVERY EXCESS MUST BE PUNISHED AND REALITY CANNOT BE ESCAPED
THE MORAL OF THE NOVEL
Themes
-The double;
-The contrast between good and evil;
-The contrast between appearance and reality;
-Aestheticism's typical cult of beauty.