Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray

Definition

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a novel by Oscar Wilde that tells the story of a young man, Dorian Gray, who wishes to remain forever young while his portrait ages in his place. This narrative explores themes of vanity, moral corruption, and the relationship between beauty and morality. The portrait itself serves as a powerful symbol of Dorian's inner self, reflecting the consequences of his hedonistic lifestyle and the choices he makes throughout the story.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dorian Gray's wish for eternal youth leads him down a path of moral degradation as he indulges in a life of excess and superficial pleasures.
2. The portrait not only ages but also becomes increasingly grotesque, representing Dorian's deteriorating soul and conscience as he engages in immoral acts.
3. Wilde critiques Victorian society's obsession with appearances and the superficial nature of beauty through Dorian's tragic journey.
4. The character of Lord Henry Wotton serves as a catalyst for Dorian's transformation, promoting a philosophy that celebrates indulgence and rejects conventional morality.
5. The novel ends with Dorian attempting to destroy the portrait in a moment of desperation, resulting in his own death and the restoration of the painting to its original state.

Review Questions

• How does Wilde use symbolism in The Picture of Dorian Gray to explore the theme of vanity?
  • Wilde uses the portrait of Dorian Gray as a central symbol to explore vanity throughout the novel. The portrait reflects Dorian’s physical beauty and becomes a visual representation of his moral decay. As Dorian indulges in hedonistic pleasures and commits immoral acts, the portrait bears the scars of his actions while he remains outwardly youthful. This contrast highlights how vanity can lead to self-destruction, as Dorian ultimately becomes trapped by his obsession with maintaining appearances.
• Discuss the role of Lord Henry Wotton in influencing Dorian Gray’s decisions and moral decline.
  • Lord Henry Wotton plays a pivotal role in shaping Dorian Gray’s worldview and decisions. He introduces Dorian to a hedonistic lifestyle that prioritizes pleasure over morality. Lord Henry's charming yet manipulative philosophies seduce Dorian into abandoning ethical constraints, encouraging him to pursue beauty at any cost. As a result, Dorian’s transformation into a morally corrupt individual can be traced back to Lord Henry’s influence, which raises questions about accountability and the impact of external forces on personal choices.
• Evaluate how The Picture of Dorian Gray reflects societal values and critiques Victorian morality.
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray serves as a sharp critique of Victorian societal values, particularly its fixation on morality, propriety, and appearances. Wilde contrasts Dorian's pursuit of aesthetic pleasures with the rigid moral expectations of his society. By depicting the consequences of unchecked vanity and indulgence, Wilde challenges readers to reconsider the value placed on outward appearances versus genuine moral character. The novel ultimately suggests that a society too concerned with surface-level beauty risks fostering deep-seated corruption and spiritual decay.

Related terms

Hedonism: A philosophical doctrine that argues pleasure or happiness is the highest good, which significantly influences Dorian's choices in the novel.

Aestheticism: An artistic movement that emphasizes beauty and sensory experiences, closely linked to Wilde's own philosophy and the themes explored in the novel.

Duality: The concept of having two contrasting aspects or sides; in this context, it represents Dorian's external beauty versus his internal moral decay.