"The Picture of Dorian Gray": A Review

By Sophie Cooper

“Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. This is a fault. Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope. They are the elect to whom beautiful things mean only Beauty. There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all.”

Dorian Gray is young, exceptionally handsome, and the muse of talented artist Basil Hallward. However, I described Gray and his monologue as vain and vapid, which only heightens as Dorian's acquaintance with the cynical and hedonistic Lord Henry Wotton sets in motion a sequence of events that will forever alter the course of his life. When Dorian makes a Faustian bargain – his soul in exchange for eternal youth and beauty – the portrait, not Dorian himself, begins to bear the burdens of his moral degradation and decadent lifestyle.

Oscar Wilde himself writes beautifully and eloquently, blending philosophical musings with a compelling narrative. The character of Dorian Gray undergoes a fascinating transformation throughout the novel. From the innocent and impressionable young man at the beginning, Dorian evolves into a morally bankrupt and soulless individual. The portrait serves its toll, serving as a visual representation of his inner corruption, and becomes increasingly grotesque as Dorian's sins accumulate. As we accompany Dorian on his descent into moral decay, we are prompted to confront our own beliefs about beauty, morality, and the timeless struggle between the visible facade and the hidden truths of the soul. "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is a great classic to immerse oneself in, and a great one for first time classic readers.