3 Review(s)

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is a cornerstone of aestheticism, promoting art for art's sake and exploring the pursuit of beauty and pleasure at the expense of morality. The novel intertwines supernatural and psychological horror through a magically ageing portrait that mirrors Dorian's moral decay, leading to his psychological torment. A core theme is the corruption of innocence, influenced by Lord Henry Wotton's hedonistic philosophy, with the portrait serving as a constant reminder of Dorian's sins. Hence, Wilde's distinctive writing style is marked by elegance, wit, paradoxes, and rich descriptive language, utilizing symbolism to convey complex ideas.