DORIAN GRAY - THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY BY OSCAR WILDE - #BLOGCHATTERa2zCHALLENGE2022

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                                                                   Kobo.com

Readers have always been fascinated by hints of the supernatural from times immemorial. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is known as a philosophical novel. This was Wilde’s only novel and invited much criticism for the author’s homoerotic tastes, but over the centuries, the book has come to be showcased as a Gothic classic.

Basil Hallward paints a portrait of the handsome Dorian Gray. He is an artist infatuated by Dorian’s beauty. Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton through Basil and is intrigued by his lifestyle and his views on hedonism. Dorian does not want his youth and beauty to fade and hence, is willing sell his soul to ensure that he will stay young. On the other hand, he wishes that it is his portrait that will age, fade and grow ugly.

Lo and behold! That is exactly what happens. While Dorian begins to live an amoral and profligate life where he lets his hair down, he remains as young and handsome as ever. However, his portrait begins to show signs of his debauchery. Beauty and sensuality seem the only things he pursues.

                                                                    Loyal Books

The beauteous actress, Sybil Vane, is Dorian’s love interest and when he begins to court her, she falls headlong in love with him, referring to him as Prince Charming. When Sybil’s acting in Romeo and Juliet disappoints Dorian’s friends, he snubs her saying that without her acting, she is no longer interesting to him. This cruel remark causes a change in Dorian’s portrait, the first of many to come.

The novel runs its course with many disastrous events leading to the tragic finale in which Dorian decides to do away with the portrait that is now too hideous to be looked upon.

In 1894, Wilde wrote, “(The Picture of Dorian Gray) contains much of me in it. Basil Hallward is what I think I am; Lord Henry, what the world thinks me; Dorian is what I would like to be – in other ages, perhaps.”

It was after Wilde’s death in 1900, that the book began to attract attention and acclaim, and was adapted to the stage, as well as the film world. The most popular film adaptation came in 1945, where Angela Lansbury won a Best Supporting Actress nomination as Sibyl Lane in the Academy Awards. ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ also won an Academy Award for best black-and-white cinematography at the same event.

                                           The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)

What is intriguing is the coinage of the Dorian Gray Syndrome which indicates a man’s pride in his youth, physique and good looks which is overshadowed by his discomfort when ageing and maturation take place, creating changes in his physical appearance.

 I am participating in the #Blogchatter A to Z Challenge! Happy Reading and Writing! :)


 


Comments

  1. Leha4/06/2022 10:04:00 PM

    I was spooked when I read this book. Loved the movie too. Such a nice review, Deepti.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. deepti menon4/07/2022 08:33:00 PM

      Thank you so much, Leha! This was such a strange story with no suitable explanation for what really happened. Maybe that is why it intrigues me so much. I love Wilde's short stories as well!

      Delete
  2. Suchita4/07/2022 11:52:00 AM

    Hello fellow explorer of Dorian Gray for D :) Ah I didn't know there is a syndrome too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. deepti menon4/07/2022 08:34:00 PM

      Frankly, neither did I, Suchita, till I researched material for this post! :)

      Delete
  3. Manali Desai4/10/2022 12:03:00 AM

    Hmmph, I can recall quite a few with that syndrome :P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. deepti menon4/12/2022 05:08:00 PM

      Hehehe, so can I, Manali! The world has its share of them. :)

      Delete
  4. Chinmayee Gayatree Sahu4/10/2022 11:52:00 AM

    A very comprehensive review !

    ReplyDelete

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