The Picture of Dorian Gray
Dorian Gray, the beautiful, talented, charming young man, has managed to capture the hearts of both men and women alike during nineteenth-century England. His incredible purity has attracted Lord Henry Wotton, who vies for his attention with Basil Hallward, a trusting and gentle artist. Basil, having poured his soul into a wonderful portrait of Dorian, resents the recent closeness between Lord Henry and the boy. The portrait that Basil did of Dorian turned out marvelously; it was almost a perfect likeness. In a heated moment, Dorian wishes that his portrait bear the suffering for his sins. He realizes that his fervent wish came true when his fiancee - actress Sybil Vane - kills herself. As time progresses, Dorian realizes that his portrait becomes more and more hideous, bearing the burden of age and wrongdoing while he remains young and carefree. Dorian continues his glorious lifestyle, making friends, causing trouble, and passing his time at Opium bars or clubs, not caring who he hurts. Eventually, the burden of his horrible secret becomes too much for him to bear, and he shows Basil Hallward wha
The novel is based on "artistic idolatry," an issue that was prevalent during the nineteenth century. Art during that time was becoming increasingly popular amongst the middle classes. Churches and the aristocracy no longer had the same demand for paintings and sculpture as in the past, and the middle class began to acquire more taste and appreciation for such items. Just as the middle class increased in numbers and power during the French Revolution, they increased their education during nineteenth century England. When The Picture of Dorian Gray was published, England's reading public was expanding to include the most minor of citizens - the working class. This period was referred to by many as "the Second English Enlightenment." During this time, authors and critics alike were fighting to get readers to think in terms of realism as opposed to the neoclassical ideals. Eventually, Dorian becomes desperate for a release once more from the horrid burden of his portrait, and, deciding to live the clean life, stabs the portrait in the heart. Ultimately, the picture was restored to its original beauty, and there lies Dorian, dead and disgusting on t
Some common words found in the essay are:
Dorian Gray, Gray Wilde, Eventually Dorian, Basil Dorian, Sybil Vane, English Enlightenment, Basil Hallward, Catherine Wilde, Enlightenment Wilde, Germany Wilde, dorian gray, picture dorian gray, picture dorian, heated moment dorian, nineteenth century, lord henry, basil dorian, opium bars, basil hallward, middle class, moment dorian, heated moment,
Approximate Word count = 784
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
