Happy Birthday to the late nineteenth-century novelist, playwright, poet, wit, short story writer, and fairy tale writer for adults and children, Oscar Wilde, who was born on October 16, 1854. Oscar Wilde indeed had a broad literary career, but I would like to focus on his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. This novel is a significant contribution to Gothic horror literature, telling the story of a young man who cannot bear to lose his extraordinary blond beauty. The story begins with artist Basil Hallward painting the portrait of a wealthy young man, Dorian Gray. Lord Henry Wotton, who is the artist’s friend, successfully convinces Dorian that physical beauty is one of the only worthwhile things in life. Dorian makes a pact with an unspecified force to eternally remain youthful and beautiful, and evidence of aging would show in the portrait alone. Dorian receives his wish, but will he pay a great price? Why does Dorian eventually hide this magnificent portrait in a dusty attic at the top of his house? Read this unique horror work and learn what consequences this decision brings to Dorian and those in his path. This novel bears similarities to other classic works and a real-life murder case. I thought of some of these similarities from my own reading experiences and also read articles of other people’s opinions on the similarities. Take this multiple-choice quiz and choose the literary work that shares some of the same characteristics as The Picture of Dorian Gray.
We hope that you will enjoy this popular gothic horror novel and also read this diversified literacy artist’s other works which consist of comedic plays, short stories and fairy tales.
The Importance of Being Earnest
Add a comment to: Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray