The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide
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About this ebook
This engaging summary presents an analysis of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, a fascinating novel in which a beautiful young man, under the poisonous influence of an older dandy, makes a bargain with the devil, according to which he stays young and charming while his portrait becomes a reflection of his conscience. When first written, the story was considered indecent and was heavily censored. Despite this, it quickly gained a large readership, and continues to enjoy success today; it has been adapted for the screen and stage many times, as well as inspiring various characters and even a medical syndrome. It is Wilde's only novel, and the author spent more time writing plays and epigrams up until his tragic early death.
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• Character studies
• Key themes and symbols
• Questions for further reflection
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The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (Book Analysis) - Bright Summaries
Irish novelist, poet, playwright, short story writer and essayist
Born in Dublin in 1854
Died in Paris in 1900
Notable works:
The Soul of Man under Socialism (1891), essay
Salome (1893), play
The Importance of Being Earnest (1895), play
Oscar Wilde was an Irish-born writer who spent the majority of his life in London, and he is most certainly the best representative of the Fin-de-Siècle
in the English-speaking world. An advocate of the decadent movement and estheticism, he did not want anything to interfere with art and beauty.
His ways as an exuberant dandy and his anti-conformism shocked, and he was sometimes met with extremely violent reactions. In 1895, he was sentenced to two years of penal servitude at the prison of Reading, for acts of homosexuality. Having served his sentence, he exiled himself to Paris, and died there in 1900, a destitute. His most famous works are The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890-1891) and the play The Importance of Being Earnest (1895).