Wilde, Oscar. The picture of Dorian Grey, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1994.
"That Shadow was a Dark distorted Self"
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| Oscar Wilde, 1854-1900 |
Oscar Wilde pulls no punches in this metaphorical description of human depravity and aristocratic indulgence which leads to self destruction. Combining otherwise taboo subjects of the Victorian era, murder, self-worship, idolatry, suicide, sexual licentiousness, adultery and the notable central thread of rampaging throughout life without reason and accountability is the 'moral' of this tale which puts human nature, but moreover, the wealthy circles of Britain's aristocracy on trial. The picture of Dorian Grey is debated as symbolizing the need of a society to look in the mirror and view the destruction of their souls and the true price of non-accountability.
In this fictional classic, a young Dorian Grey is painted a self portrait which turns out to be anything but an inanimate reflection of himself. When introduced to the high life of British aristocracy, complete with cigar totting, brothel visiting and opium dens, and the suicide of his wife to be and subsequent death of the child she was carrying due to Dorian's new found sensual pleasure, he is shocked to see that the effects of such are not staining or branded his conscience or soul, but are in fact changing his portrait. Complete with cuts and bruises, the darkening of his portraits image and the eventual monster it becomes due to his Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde lifestyle, the tale consists of his revelry and eventual downfall. A powerful and horrific tale which Oscar Wilde, it is thought, gave to the world in order to prod a soul-searching effect on its reader.
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