The Picture of Dorian Gray | Study Guide

Oscar Wilde

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The Picture of Dorian Gray | Infographic

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Check out this Infographic to learn more about Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. Study visually with character maps, plot summaries, helpful context, and more.

the-picture-of-dorian-gray-oscar-wildeSources: Encyclopaedia Britannica, The Guardian, Marvel, VCU News, The New Yorker Copyright © 2016 Course Hero, Inc.Lord Henry, Chapter 2othing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul. SymbolsThemesThe Irish poet and playwright often wrote about the nature of beauty and art. Several of his works feature people living double lives, including the popular play The Importance of Being Earnest. Wilde’s only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, sparked controversy because of its implied homoeroticism.OSCAR WILDE1854–1900Year Marvel released a comic book adaptation in six issuesTimes Alfred Douglas (later Wilde’s lover) read Dorian Gray Year the first uncensored (and therefore more sexualized) version was published Words Wilde added to develop the magazine version of Dorian Gray to novel length~28k2007142011The Picture of Dorian Grayby the NumbersWhen the story starts, Dorian Gray is young, beautiful, and rich. Artist Basil Hallward paints Dorian’s picture and introduces him to Lord Henry, who incites in Dorian a fear of aging. Pledging his soul in order to remain young and attractive, Dorian engages in decadence, illicit sex, and crime—but his portrait reveals his true nature.Who Is Dorian Gray?MAIN CHARACTERSDorian Gray is my artistic inspiration. Dorian Gray broke my heart.Dorian Gray killed my sister. Dorian Gray is a living experiment.Some find Dorian charming, but his true nature is dark and cruel—and his reputation suffers. Dorian’s story reveals questions of what is on the surface and what lies beneath it.There is a difference between creating beauty and living beautifully. No one can ever know who I really am.Basil HallwardPainter; discovers Dorian and captures his beauty Appearance vs. RealityArt vs. LifeReputation vs. CharacterThe PaintingRepresents Dorian’s character in its swift decline FlowersSymbolize the fleeting nature of beauty and the desire for sensual pleasureTheaterSymbolizes the way the main characters play parts in their own personal drama Lord Henry WottonWitty cynic; awakens Dorian’s vanity Dorian GrayFace stays beautiful and pure forever; portrait changes with age and sin Sibyl VaneLovely young actress; kills herself James VaneSibyl’s older brother; tries to get revenge for her death AuthorOscar Wilde1890EnglishNovel AuthorFirst PublishedOriginal LanguageThe Picture of Dorian GrayPhilosophy
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