The picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde

Genre: Victorian Literature, Philosophic Fiction, Tragic and melancholic, Gothic

SYPNOSIS

The story's opening scene, which takes place in Victorian London, features a passionate painter named Basil Hallward working on one of his finest pieces of time. The painter's friend, Lord Henry, a tyrannical aristocrat who advocates self-indulgent hedonism, upon assessing his work, compliments it and asks him to exhibit the painting at Grosvenor. 

Basil won't, however, make it known to the public. The artist believed that the painting discloses his own secret because it was created with feelings rather than merely technical proficiency. Basil had met Dorian Grey, the subject of the painting, at the home of his aunts the Brandons. Basil acknowledged that he was mesmerized by Dorian's attractiveness and that he had become so enamored with him that he had begun to worship him. 

He asserted to Henry that ever since they had first met, his art had been assessed and was at its pinnacle. Henry's critique of the portrait, however, had a particularly negative impact on Dorian. He expressed how regrettable it was that the picture will always be youthful and lovely but Dorian would age and become ugly.

Dorian was indignant to learn this and wished it weren't true. He didn't realize that His desire would be fulfilled, though. Basil later gave Dorain the artwork as well as a warning regarding Hanry's detrimental influence on all of his acquaintances. As he only appreciated beauty, decried Victorian culture, and expressed unfavorable feelings as bluntly as he could.

Unfortunately, Dorian came to like Hanry and his outlook on life. Dorian pursues sensuality and takes Henry's advice seriously. He met Sibyl, a small stage actress who performed Shakespeare's plays in a run-down theatre. Sibyl refers to Dorian as her prince charming. Later, Dorian invites Basil and Hanry to the theatre to watch Sibyl's performance, but Sibyl fails to perform well. Dorian is embarrassed and apologizes to his friends for squandering their time. As a result, he ends his relationship with her.

Dorian looked at the painting the next day after waking up and noticed that it was different from the last time he saw it. He had a cruel smirk on his face and was surprised to learn that his wish had been granted. His actions were reflected in the painting rather than on his true face. Dorian felt terrible and resolved to reconcile with Sibyl.

It was however too late; Lord Henry arrives and informs him of Sibyl's death. She killed herself by swallowing something in the theatre. Henry comforted him and asked him to stay out of the scandal because it would harm his reputation in London.

This shocking revelation rendered him oblivious to his actions. He absolved him of all responsibility and resumed his normal life. Dorian was getting older, but his face shows no signs of it. He lived a life of pleasure and committed every sin imaginable. He became eviler in his actions and happen to know as someone to be wary of. The painting by Basil Hallward was becoming increasingly terrifying, the type of image that would make anyone scream if they saw it. 

Several years later, Basil happened to pass Dorian on Grosvenor Street one night. He wanted to see Dorian before leaving for Paris. They went to Dorian's house, where Basil confronted him about the rumors that had spread about him. Dorian takes Basil to his house's old schoolroom, where he hid the painting. Basil couldn't believe what his work of art had become when he revealed it.

Dorian blamed basil for making him so aware of his own beauty that he couldn't bear the thought of losing it. He made the wish that turned his life into hell because of the portrayal. However, Basil presumed that Dorian's life was influenced by Henry's friendship. Basil tried to convince Dorian to accept redemption, but he couldn't stand it. He killed Basil with the knife he had placed above the cupboard in the room a few days before.

He got rid of all the evidence from the scene by threatening Alan Campbell, a fellow from his university who was a scientist, to dispose of the body for him. Alan later commits suicide as well.

Dorian finally opened up to Hanry about making a fresh start in life by asking for forgiveness and being true to his current love interest, Hetty Merton. Dorian wonders if his penitence has altered the portrayal in any way, but it has only made it worse. Dorian understands that his impulse to alter was really only a yearning for fresh experiences and a need to make the portrayal restore its beauty.

Dorian intends to destroy the portrait with the knife he used to murder Basil Hallward in an effort to put an end to the last instance of his cruelty and evil soul. The sound of a scream emanating from the locked room reached downstairs to his servants as he penetrated the picture. Alarm swept the men standing outside the window. 

The servants opened the door and discovered the Basil Hallward portrait of a stunningly handsome man. A knife was found in the heart of an aged, unsightly man who was found lying on the ground.