Dorian Gray

A detailed Summary of Dorian Gray

Dorian Gray: The Successes and Failures of the 1945 FilmThe Picture of Dorian Gray is a brilliant yet controversial novel in its times for its immoral views. Although the novel is a great one it has taken about a century for many to praise and accept this aspects of the novel. In 1945 the making of the film was done and many watched for its taste in horror and immorality. Due to the fact of the time it was done the immoral of homosexuality is not present. However, like an every film, certain details are altered in the film, some making the film a failure and some insignificant. Yet, there are certain aspects of the novel that are still portrayed in the film.

It is quite evident from reading the novel that one of the most important symbols is the picture of Dorian Gray. It is the symbol of an evil soul and dirty conscience, however it is also the title itself. It is the bargain in which Dorian has sold his soul to the Devil. "If it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old . . . I would give my soul for that" (31)! He makes a wish to trade places with the portrait in order to remain young forever, and the film has done a great job in emphasizing the importance of the portrait by illuminating it in co

In the film, the book of quotes mentioned earlier is seen on a table next to a black cat. Since the cat is not mentioned in the novel one cannot assume it does not belong in the film. The cat gives the film a dark and mysterious atmosphere that can be seen by the viewer. In the film Sibyl mentions that the cat's eyes move as if they were alive, which gives the viewer an impression that the cat is a watcher. The black cat, universally known for bad luck watches Dorian and it is almost as if it is influencing him as it praises all his bad doings. After reading one of Oscar Wilde's poems, Dorian seems to attain a dislike for Sibyl, while the cat just watches in evil motionless. The cat seems to serve as a symbol of the devil, and although this is not mentioned in the novel, it plays great importance in the film.

Considering that the voice of the author, which is detected with ease in a novel, cannot be detected in a film, the film does a great job in integrating some of Oscar Wilde's important quotes into the film. The preface in the novel it a very important part that allows the reader to connect the authors thoughts with the message in the novel. "We can forgive a man for making a useful thing as long as he does not admire it. The only excuse for making a useless thing is that one admires it intensely. All art is quite useless" (4). Nonetheless, in the film this is changed into a book of quotes and thoughts from Oscar Wilde that Dorian keeps in his den. Dorian finds these words to be inspirational, as he once reads them to his loved Sibyl allowing a rush of evil to take control over his body. Although they are words from the author, the words seem to have a dark meaning and a message that Sibyl finds rather strange. This allows the viewer of the film, to be introduced to the character of the author without having to read these quoted passages.

Another failure that the film possesses, is the immoral that is seen through the author, Oscar Wilde. His bisexuality was of course one thing that he was condemned for and although this thought is present in his novel it seems to be missing in his film. While reading the novel it is quite simple to detect the bisexuality relationships between men. " . . . I suddenly became conscience that someone was looking at me. I turned halfway round, and saw Dorian Gray for the first time. When our eyes met I felt that I was growing pale" (10). Although, it may bring a feeling of disgu

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1643
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels