Quoting characteristics of Dorian Gray and other characters of the novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The scandalous novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray", published by Oscar Wilde in 1890, remains relevant today. It is read, discussed and recommended. Today we will talk about the main characters and follow the changes with the help of a quote.

Prologue by Oscar Wilde

The author's words play a big role throughout the book. But the prologue helps the reader understand that an unusual journey into the world of art, aesthetics and pleasure awaits him next. Ahead of events, Wilde insists that "there are no books moral or immoral, there are good or bad written - that's all." The attitude towards art expressed by him will be reflected in each character individually.

Quote from Dorian Gray

Arriving in London, young Dorian Gray immediately began to join high society, where he first met the artist Basil Holluod, and then Henry (Harry) Wotton, who actually shaped his future destiny. Sincerity, innocence and chastity were felt in the young man, he smiled a lot and did not worry about anything thanks to the inheritance, ohwhat the quotation says. Dorian Gray at first was not attracted to the entertainment of high society, he did not think about vices.

Before meeting Henry Wotton, the young man was well-bred and dreamed of love, had his own, provincial (as Henry would say) outlook on life. When Wotton criticizes women for constantly demanding something from men, Dorian comes to their defense and objects to him. According to the unspoiled (so far) young man, women are worthy of respect and have every right to demand reciprocity, as they give men the best that they have - love.

Having fallen under the influence of the charismatic Harry, Dorian begins to change. Changes in him spoil everything pure, including the relationship with Sybil Vane. The girl kills herself, unable to stop loving him. The tragedy is that Dorian does not care, he does not consider himself responsible for what happened.

There comes a moment when the young man begins to tire of himself, and his speeches become very similar to the philosophy of Henry Wotton. Instead of a young man in love who was looking for simple happiness, the same young-looking, but different Dorian Gray looms before us: he insists that he was looking for only pleasure in life, and he never needed happiness.

Henry (Harry) Wotton: Character Profile

Henry Watton is a family man who, however, is unhappy in marriage. Departing from the realities of an unbearable, boring life, he professes only one religion, and this is hedonism. The main thing in life is not moral principles, but pleasure and beauty."Your own life - that's the most important thing," - this is his brief quotation. Dorian Gray is immensely attracted by Henry's difference from the rest, his courage and cynicism. It is Harry who becomes his guide to the world of pleasure.

Love does not exist, only feeling and desire exist, most people are in love only with the image of love, Wotton repeats to Dorian. And the young man who was in love and believed in love begins to become callous. The world would be a better and much happier place if every person could express their every thought, every feeling that arises in it, Harry believes, and Dorian begins to bring his life in line with this statement.

It can be said that in the novel, Henry Watton is the theorist of hedonism, and Dorian Gray is the practitioner who decided to test its viability.

The Picture of Dorian Gray: a quote from the artist Basil Hallward

Basil Hallward is an artist. He serves art - and this is reflected in his quotation. He met Dorian Gray at a social reception, and they immediately became friends. The beauty of the young man - pure and innocent - shocked him to the core. Dorian's portrait is the best he's painted so far.

"An artist should create beautiful works of art without bringing anything from his personal life into them," says Basil and breaks this rule. He admits to Lord Henry that he put too much of himself into the portrait of Dorian Gray, and therefore he will not be able to send him to any exhibition.

"It often occurs to me that art hides the artist to a much greater extent than it reveals him," says Basil, but this is only a theory that has nothing to do with his work after meeting Dorian. Most of the quotes about the art of the artist belong to this character.

So, pleasure as the basis of life and the consequence of this choice - that's how Dorian Gray thinks. The quotation characteristic of the heroes of the novel allows one to form a certain opinion about them and about the book. But still, it is worth reading the book in its entirety to understand its relevance in the modern world and to enjoy the figurative, rich prose of Oscar Wilde.