In the Victorian era where vanity was the main attraction, Oscar Wilde’sThe Picture of Dorian Gray gave insight into the true horrors that came ofthis sinful nature. Wilde was a very controversial figure and he meant tostir the pot when he wrote this disputed story. He believed that literaturewas not only meant for the imagination, but for the moral mind as well. InThe Picture of Dorian Gray he depicts the importance of becoming a wellrounded individual and also explains himself. In one of his many letters hestates “Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the worldthinks me: Dorian what I would like to be- in other ages, perhaps.” He wasa man before his time and he exposed the reality that every person is asinner, including himself. Wilde used the world around him to portrait thedistorted view of the Victorian era he had come to know. (Shuman 1-2)
This wonderful story takes place in the glorious setting of London,England, where we are introduced immediately to Basil Hallward and DorianGray. Basil, an amateur artist, is stunned by Dorian’s appearance and iscompelled to paint him; he continually attempts to protect him from thedangers of negative influences such as Lord Henry Wotton. Although, Basiland Lord Henry are a choice pair of friends, Basil refuses to allow himmeet Dorian. As luck would have it, Lord Henry first meets Dorian whilehe’s eloquently playing the piano and is immediately intrigued by hisyouthful innocence. Dorian, being the naive young man he is, listens to allof Lord Henry’s “quality” advice and from there on in he starts totransform.
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Dorian Gray had only returned to London because of the death of his uncle,Lord Kelso, who left him all his affluence….
…liver Park. Perf. Ben Barnes and Colin Firth. Prescience, 2009. DVD.Fellner, Richard L. “Forever Young? The Dorian Gray Syndrome.” Pattaya Mail. Pattaya Mail Media Group, 09 Sept. 2011. Web.
Mustafa, Jamil M. “Literary Contexts In Novels: Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” Literary Contexts In Novels: Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ (2006): 1. Literary Reference Center.Shuman, Baird R. “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” Mcgill’s Survery of World Literature. By Steven G. Kellman and Frank N. Mcgill. Pasadena, CA: Salem, 2009. 1-2.Stableford, Brian. “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” Cyclopedia Of Library Places (2003): 1, Literary Referance Center.Wilde, Oscar, and Richard Ellmann. The Picture of Dorian Gray and Other Writing. New York: Bantam, 1982.
