The Picture of Dorian Gray: Book Review

Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray is not only a story about art: it concerns individuality, materialism, conscience, and pressures regarding a person’s appearance. At least one of these issues is still a big concern today, which is perhaps what makes this novel so interesting. Dorian’s fears about growing older are shared by many of us, including a number of poets. Yet unlike the rest of us, Dorian discovers a way of combating age. Whilst his portrait bears the signs of his crimes, Dorian walks around unscathed, able to beguile, trick, and murder without any hint of cruelty showing on his face.

Of course, many of the themes in this book are based on superficial constructs. There are characters who naturally assume that, because Dorian doesn’t look cruel, he is incapable of cruel actions. Nowadays, such logic can be easily dismissed as foolish, yet it is very real in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Wilde reveals how important our appearances can be to us; Dorian is genuinely terrified of losing his youthful demeanour, even though growing older is a purely superficial transformation, and one that is natural for all of us. The materialism that we associate with modern society fully emerged in the Victorian period; Wilde lived during a time when material possessions passed easily from one hand to another, and The Picture of Dorian Gray comments on this burgeoning commodity culture: Dorian sees his youth as a precious commodity, and although he possesses an assortment of books, jewels, and fine clothes, it is his appearance that he values the most.

Although this novel considers a number of complex themes and ideas, its true beauty arguably does not lie with its content. The story is incredibly dramatic, and is sure to satisfy any reader: there are memorable characters, fascinating plot twists, and an element of the supernatural that adds a layer of mystery to the novel. Yet Wilde’s greatest skill arguably lies with his style of writing. This book is filled with a descriptive language that surpasses all expectations. When you read it, you may just wonder whether you are reading poetry, rather than prose. Wilde has a powerful command over the English language and it is thoroughly reflected in The Picture of Dorian Gray.

This is a novel that will really make you think. Its characters are so boldly imprinted on its pages that they become easy to picture. It raises a lot of questions, but rarely answers them. This results in a sense of mystery that hangs over the narrative, causing readers to question what Wilde really believed, as well as what he intended for his novel. Yet one of Wilde’s core principles is that a books do not have to mean anything. At the beginning of the book, he considers how art can exist for art’s sake. It does not have to mean anything and it does not have to question contemporary ideals. As a result, The Picture of Dorian may not have a true meaning; exists as it is: as an incredible work of literature.