I did read the book for the second time this year after reading it doe the first time back in 2019. By then I did not have that much sense of analysis as today, so please find here my review of the book.
"Was there some subtle affinity between the chemical atoms that shaped themselves into form and colour on the canvas and the soul that was within him? Could it be that what that soul thought, they realized?—that what it dreamed, they made true? Or was there some other, more terrible reason? He shuddered, and felt afraid, and, going back to the couch, lay there, gazing at the picture in sickened horror."
Are we evil by nature or by nurture??
The novel follows the story of Dorian Gray, an unspoiled handsom young man coming from the English upper social class. Dorian during an event meets Basil Hallward, a painter, and soon the artist gets attached to the young man, fascinated by his youth beauty. After their acquaintance, Hallward starts inviting Mr Gray to his house where the latter sits still while the artist draws a portrait of him. There, Gray meets Lord Henry, a friend of Basil and soon fascinates Dorian and take him under his wings.
The story goes around Dorian's portrait painted by Basil Hallward which the artist sees as his masterpiece and pride while the subjet of the chef-d'œuvre sees it differently. This painting plays the main part in Dorian's development along side Henry's influence which both combined give us a psychologically interesting character which I believe the reader will enjoy certainly.
Although this piece of literature was written in 1890, the book is considered a gothic novel as a part which the reader discovers along the lines. The main character Dorian is an anti-hero emotionally distressed character which we will see through his development as the plot goes on and these elemets are are among the main ones shaping ghe gothic novel.
The major changes in Dorian character is influenced by the man who took it uppn himself to teach the young man life lessons, the amoral lord Henry. Under his influence, Dorian goes on to enjoy life to its fullness and through this I did discover what we are capable about, and what an impact we can leave on others, both positively and negatively, leading sometimes to destroy their innocence.
Oscar was set for a trial back in 1895 following a homosexuality scandal which was illegal in Britain that period of time. His works were questioned for their homoerotic themes especially this one as it was thought he wrote it to seduce his friend Lord Alfred. Later at 201, long since he passed away, Oscar was pardoned since homosexuality is no longer considered illegal in Britain.
by othmanese