The Picture of Dorian Gray

 

The Picture of Dorian Gray 

  I would like to dedicate my first official theme entry to a novel that is absolutely unique, not only because of how wonderful this piece of art is, but also because of how much impression it made on me when I first read it as a teenager, so this post will be quite personal. Today, we will discuss a book which, on the one hand, is an expression of an aesthetic approach to the art of the author himself, art not bound by the need to be useful, but also being a smuggled in a sophisticated way, a kind of autobiography. Ladies and gentlemen - "The Picture of Dorian Gray". 

  Released on June 20, 1890, it is the first and only novel by the Irish author, Oscar Wilde. At the beginning it appeared in "Lippincott's Monthly Magazine" as the main publication in this edition, immediately provoking a wave of huge criticism and outrage, but in my opinion it is very good. Great works often arouse controversy. The mannered society of that time simply could not yet digest literature in this form. After some time, Oscar Wilde himself decided to make some corrections and prepare the text for publication in book form (numerous references to homosexuality appearing in the first edition were omitted), he also included a poetic preface as an explanation of how his approach to art should be perceived.

  The work is classified as a gothic novel, which in a very skillful manner changes from a light, pleasant and calm mood into a climate of darkness, hedonism and getting lost in bodily and spiritual pleasures (there will also be a few tragic deaths). The literary artistry of the Irishman is striking from the very beginning. A very dynamic, unconstrained style with a poetic character is an ideal background in which the main characters personalities are gradually being outlined and developed. However, the reader should pay attention to the sophisticated, perhaps sometimes even archaic vocabulary in present times (I myself have reached for the dictionary several times during the lecture).

  The action takes place in England in the Victorian Age, mainly in London, while the main characters are representatives of the upper social class, including the aristocracy. The novel therefore takes us to elegant receptions, meetings where, surrounded by the refinement and courtesy, this richest and most influential social group gives itself selfish pleasure. When one time the famous painter Basil Hallward meets an extremely handsome young man, Dorian, at a party, enchanted and inspired by the beauty of the boy, asks him to pose for his paintings. During a meeting at his studio with his friend, Lord Henry Wotton, Basil talks about his infatuation with the boy, then Lord Wotton insists on arranging a meeting with him, and that is what happens. During the meeting, Lord Henry begins to instill his values in his characteristic way. Under the influence of the conversation, Dorian realizes that his beauty will pass with his youth, so he expresses his wish for his portrait to grow old instead of him... Okay, that's enough of a storyline description not to say too much.

  So why (in my opinion) you should consider reading this book? Apart from the obvious arguments that it is a classic of literature, "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is primarily a journey into the human psyche. With each page read, the reader starts to wonder more and more about the value of things that go away with time. Wilde understands some of the natural aspects of man, he draws attention to the power of youth and beauty, while at the same time warning against vanity, showing that there is not much separating us from becoming selfish and simply bad people, how easily we can hurt others and become completely indifferent to this harm, all of which is accompanied by great literary craftsmanship. I strongly encourage you to read it and I sincerely hope that, as in my case, it will be remembered as an extraordinary experience.

  Thank you for your attention and until next time.