The Picture of Dorian Gray

The story revolves around a portrait of Dorian Gray by artist Basil Hallward who is moved and fascinated by Dorians beauty. Through Basil Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton and soon becomes enamored with the hedonistic views of aristocrats that beauty and sensual satisfaction are the only things worth pursuing in life. Realizing again that his beauty will fade Dorian expresses his desire to sell his soul so that the painting not himself grows old and fades. His wish comes true and Dorian leads a depraved life full of various immoral experiences while remaining young and beautiful. In the meantime his portrait grows old and records all of Dorians sins. Oscar Fingal OFlahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish playwright poet and author of numerous short stories. He was born of professional and literary parents and was known for his wit and aphorisms. His great works include– The Picture of Dorian Gray (his only novel published in 1890) and several of his plays continue to be widely performed especially The Importance of Being Earnest. He was the object of celebrated civil and criminal suits involving homosexuality and ending in imprisonment (1895–97). Later he died of poverty in 1900.