The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (Book Analysis)

This practical and insightful reading guide offers a complete summary and analysis of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. It provides a thorough exploration of the novel’s plot, characters and main themes, including beauty, art, and debauchery. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.

This clear and detailed 27-page reading guide is structured as follows:

• Biography of Oscar Wilde
• Presentation of The Picture of Dorian Gray
• Summary of The Picture of Dorian Gray
• Character study
  • Dorian Gray
  • Lord Henry “Harry” Wotton
  • Basil Hallward
  • Sibyl Vane
  • James Vane
• Analysis of The Picture of Dorian Gray
  • Amoral beauty
  • Decadent movement
  • Aestheticism
  • A Gothic novel
  • Scientific beliefs
  • The novel reflected in the picture

About The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray was first published in 1890 and is Wilde’s only novel. It tells the story of a young man named Dorian Gray who cannot bear to lose his charm and youth. He therefore wishes that he will never age, but that his portrait will suffer the ravages of time in his place. For some unknown reason, his wish is granted.

The Picture of Dorian Gray caused a scandal when it was first published, due to the fact that Wilde describes the protagonist’s joyful plunge into debauchery, yet never condemns his actions. The novel explores many themes, including beauty, art and decadence.

About Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde was one of the best-known writers of the 19^th century, with works such as The Picture of Dorian Gray widely recognized as classics. He was a central figure of fashionable London society, known as much for his witticisms as for his writing. In spite of his apparent superficiality, he was an insightful critic and perceptive observer of human nature, as can be seen in his many works across a wide range of genres. However, his relationships with men scandalized his narrow-minded contemporaries, and after serving a two-year prison sentence, he died in poverty and obscurity in Paris in 1900.