The Picture of Dorian Gray: A Likeable Book With Hateable Characters!

Have you ever read a book where you liked the plot, but didn’t really like the characters? I haven’t and this was a first in that way. Oscar Wilde is a brilliant writer and “The Picture of Dorian Gray” only further confirmed my opinion on this. The author has explored a wide range of themes surrounding human existence and his profound knowledge across numerous subjects is elucidated. 

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Most of the book is in the form of a monologue and in this manner, it slightly resembles the ‘stream of consciousness’ style of writing. Although, I wouldn’t compare it with James Joyce’s writing, it does come close in certain points. Wilde has borrowed heavily from profound literature of his time, beginning with the main plot itself and huge chunks of the text. But do not be mistaken, he has not plagiarised, it is merely discussed. 

When discussing the main plot line, it is similar to Christopher Marlowe’s infamous “Doctor Faustus”. A wondrously handsome Dorian Gray, the main character, sits as a model to painter Basil Hallward’s portrait. When the painting is completed, Gray, who was shortly influenced by the notorious Lord Henry innocently makes a prayer - that the portrait grow old and he gets to preserve his beauty. 

Dorian is quite shocked when he discovers that his prayer was granted, that he will remain young and his soul is traded to the portrait. Dorian, similar to Faustus, decides to live a life of sin and plunder, utilize his youth and drowns himself in pleasures of every kind. The portrait begins to grow old with every sin he commits and when he adds murder to the growing list, the real trouble begins. 

What are the Existentialist & Humanist Themes Wilde Explores?

Many of the characters, chiefly Lord Henry and Dorian Gray lament and discuss human life deeply throughout the novel. Lord Henry, often called Harry, holds skeptical and controversial views of human and social life. Lines such as “There is no such thing as a good influence - Mr.Gray. All influence is immoral - immoral from the scientific point of view.”

And “The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself,” show his conflicting views to the opinions held at the time. Oscar Wilde, gives voice to his own thoughts about human nature through Lord Henry. Dorian Gray, who begins as an innocent boy grows into a sinful man full of contempt who runs away from the truth. 

Gray’s multiple crises and mannerisms can be analysed as a warning of what a sinful life can do to one’s character and eminently, the soul. The novel ends as a tragedy with Gray’s untimely death and rather abruptly. However, this doesn’t come as a surprise, because what is given importance to is the entire process of his life and not his death itself. This again becomes a metaphor to the average human being’s life. 

Finally, what stood out to me was how diverse and varied the narrations were. With very limited characters, Wilde discusses the entire world, from theological concepts in the Bible, to fabric from India, the beauty of Venice and French literature. There are points when the book requires you to take a breath and action is often slow, but it is a classic never the same. In terms of analysis, it can be quite a joyful ride for inquisitive minds to keep going back to. 

P.S. There are numerous other themes that are yet to be explored, such as a feminist reading, which would elicit the characters’ misogyny, and many other themes.