Book details
The Picture of Dorian Gray
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Metadata
- Gutenberg ID
- 174
- Title
- The Picture of Dorian Gray
- Language
- en
- Book source
- Project Gutenberg
- Description max 80 words
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A timeless exploration of aestheticism and moral decay, this novel follows a young man who wishes to remain eternally beautiful while his portrait absorbs his sins. Wilde's sharp wit and philosophical dialogue create a dark, psychological masterpiece that challenges the boundaries of art, virtue, and the human soul.
- Summary up to 500 words
-
In Oscar Wilde's *The Picture of Dorian Gray*, a young man named Dorian Gray meets the artist Basil Hallward, who paints a portrait of him. Dorian is captivated by the beauty of the painting and is influenced by the cynical philosophy of Lord Henry Wotton, who argues that life should be treated as art and that one should pursue pleasure without moral restraint. Dorian makes a Faustian wish: that he may remain eternally youthful while the portrait absorbs all the marks of his aging and sins. His wish is granted. As Dorian pursues a life of hedonism, cruelty, and vice, the portrait grotesquely transforms, reflecting his deteriorating soul while his physical appearance remains flawless. The narrative explores the conflict between art and life, the nature of beauty, and the consequences of unchecked desire. Key events include the tragic death of Dorian's first love, Sibyl Vane, which marks a turning point in his character; the mysterious disappearance of Basil Hallward; and the suicide of Alan Campbell, a scientist forced to destroy a body linked to Dorian's crimes. Dorian eventually attempts to reform, but the portrait remains hideous. In a final act of desperation, he stabs the painting, destroying both his conscience and his physical beauty, leading to his own death. The novel serves as a cautionary fable about the dangers of prioritizing appearance over morality and the corrupting influence of a philosophy that separates art from ethical responsibility.
- LLM editorial rating
- 4.2/5
- Download URL
- https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/174.epub.noimages
- Local file path
-
data/epubs/pg174.epubRemoved after upload - Downloaded at
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People
Authors
- Oscar Wilde
Classification
Categories
- Classics
- Philosophy
- History
- Fiction
- Horror