Home / The Picture of Dorian Gray
Dorian Gray is incredibly handsome and wealthy young boy. His story begins at the home of his aunt, Lady Brandon, when one day the well-known artist Basil Hallward comes to her home and sees Dorian. Hallward is amazed by Dorian’s beauty and asks him to sit for several portraits.
At the beginning of the story, we see the artist completing the first portrait of Dorian. Dorian comes to the studio, where he meets a friend of Hallward, Lord Henry, who is a famous wit who enjoys in celebrating youth, pleasures and beauty. During their conversation, he upsets Dorian with a speech about the fading nature of the beauty and youth. Upon hearing this, Dorian, afraid of the truth and the fact that the portrait will remind him of his beauty in his old days, he curses the portrait and pledges his soul if only the painting could suffer the passing of years and infamy, and allow him to stay young forever.
During the following weeks, the influence of Lord Henry over Dorian becomes even stronger and he becomes hedonist and starts living a life dedicated to pursing pleasures.
He falls in love with a young actress, Sibyl Vane, with whom he has a relationship, and later is engaged. Being too much in love with Dorian, Sibyl decides to leave the acting since she cannot control her feelings, nor pretend to love on stage, now when she loves in the real life. When Dorian hears this, he breaks the engagement, because he was in love with her acting ability. After doing that, he returns at his home and notices that his portrait has changed – it sneers.
Is it possible that his curse comes true? Can a painting reflect the true person, his soul?