Review - Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray

Staff Writer: DL Mullan

4 1/2 out of 5 shovels
As with many of today's literary classics, the product is either ignored or shunned. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde was shunned, a critical flop, for its themes of homosexuality and other scandalous interludes. Wilde in the next year revised the story by deleting some scenes, reworking dialogue, and adding six chapters of background.

The novel itself seesaws back and forth between action and narration. At the time, Victorian audiences would have been satisfied. Modern times seek to see more interaction between the characters instead of reading description. His dialogue seems more like a script or play then a novel. Actions and observations are sprinkled into conversation. Wilde did maintain a healthy balance between the senses and the reader is left wanting to know more about Dorian Gray's world.

Upon having Basil Hallward paint his portrait, Dorian Gray meets Lord Henry Wotton. Harry, as he is called, shows the innocent and beautiful Dorian another world. With a book Harry gives him and personal lectures, Dorian begins his indulgent lifestyle.

In the coming years, Dorian doesn't age no matter his sin. He continues to ruin ladies and gentlemen as well as himself. One day the madness he craves and creates overwhelms him. In a fit of rage, he destroys the painting and himself.

This classic faustian tale educates the reader on the indulgent vices of life. Just because no one can see your aging, withering soul does not mean your soul isn't paying the price for your sins.

In addition, perchance, Oscar Wilde tells us something more important: evil never ages, never spoils, never reveals itself readily. Humans are predators, sometimes preying on their own kind. What if The Picture of Dorian Gray is not just a morality play but a story about the advantages true evil has? Evil hides in plain sight and we must be on guard against, in his take, a pretty face.

Many adaptations have followed. An opera, movies and plays have taken The Picture of Dorian Gray into the mainstream.

Another stab will appear in theaters this autumn as Ealing Studios has filmed: Dorian Gray.

Cast includes: Ben Barnes, Colin Firth, Ben Chaplin, Rebecca Hall, Fiona Shaw, and Rachel Hurd-Wood.

1890 Version
1891 Version

Source: Wikipedia