The Picture of Dorian Gray Merlin Vettik 11B

The Picture of Dorian Gray England in 1890, Estonia in 1929 The only published novel by Oscar Wilde First appeared in a magazine Added seven chapters Alternations Homoerotic overtones Belief in hedonism

Plot description The story tells of a man called Dorian Gray Young nobleman, rich, but pure-hearted New way of thinking - the only things worth pursuing in life are beauty and fulfilment of the senses Wishes the portrait grew old, instead of him Drawn into a new lifestyle Actions and aging are displayed in his portrait

The Main Characters Dorian Gray – a young gentleman who begins to indulge himself every kind of pleasure Basil Hallward - an artist who paints the portrait of Dorian and becomes infatuated with his beauty. Lord Henry Wotton or “Harry” - is an extremely witty and sharp-tongued nobleman, who conveys his views to Dorian

Other Characters Sibyl Vane – Dorian’s lover James Vane – Sibyl’s brother Alan Campbell – Dorian’s friend Victoria, Lady Henry Wotton – Lord Henry’s wife Victor – Dorian’s servant

Key Facts Protagonist: Dorian Gray Major conflict: Dorian secretly promises his soul to maintain his youth forever Rising action: Dorian remarks changes in his portrait after committing his first sin Dorian is doubt-troubled and paranoid. He kills Basil He regrets many things he has done. By stabbing his wretched portrait, kills himself www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-zjVKLxhk4

Aestheticism and double life Classic example of aestheticism and double life Wilde emphasises his pleasure of living double life Constantly worried about his image within Victorian society Enjoys his hedonistic side when being alone Dorian is both the aesthete and the criminal combined in one man

Quotations "The only excuse for making a useless thing is that one admires it intensely. All art is quite useless." "There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." "The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it." "Men marry because they are tired; women, because they are curious: both are disappointed." "Laughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is far the best ending for one." "To be in love is to surpass one's self." "The real drawback to marriage is that it makes one unselfish. And unselfish people are colourless. They lack individuality." "To get back my youth I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early, or be respectable." "One should never do anything that one cannot talk about after dinner."

Dorian Gray Syndrome DGS - excessive preoccupation with the person’s own appearance accompanied by difficulties coping with the aging process and with the requirements of maturation Using cosmetic products or proce- dures Dysmorphophobics

Adaptions Contemporary dance adaptation of Dorian Gray, by Matthew Bourne Film "The Picture of Dorian Gray", released in 1945 Film "Dorian Gray", released in 2009 "Dorian, an Imitation", a novel by Will Self http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VjY725fRjk&feature=related

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