In Oscar Wilde's novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray," the preface sets the tone for a story that explores the relationship between art, beauty, morality, and corruption.
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| The Picture of Dorian Gray |
The artist is portrayed as the creator of beautiful things, with the goal of revealing art while concealing the artist themselves. The critic is seen as someone who can interpret and translate their impressions of beauty, with criticism being a form of autobiography.
The preface also distinguishes between those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things and those who find beauty in beautiful things. The former are considered corrupt without charm, while the latter are seen as the cultivated, with hope for a better future. The elect are those who see beauty in beautiful things and appreciate it for its own sake.
The novel itself tells the story of Dorian Gray, a young and handsome man who becomes the subject of a portrait painted by his friend Basil Hallward. Dorian is influenced by the hedonistic and amoral Lord Henry Wotton, who introduces him to a life of pleasure and excess. Dorian becomes obsessed with his own beauty and youth, wishing that the portrait would age instead of him.
As Dorian indulges in a life of debauchery and sin, the portrait begins to change, reflecting the true nature of his soul. While Dorian remains youthful and unblemished, the portrait becomes increasingly grotesque and corrupted. Dorian's descent into moral decay is contrasted with his outward appearance of beauty and innocence.
Throughout the novel, Wilde explores themes of vanity, morality, and the consequences of living a life without regard for others. The characters grapple with the idea of beauty and its relationship to morality, with Dorian serving as a cautionary tale of the dangers of pursuing beauty at any cost.
"The Picture of Dorian Gray" is a thought-provoking and provocative novel that challenges readers to consider the nature of art, beauty, and morality. Wilde's writing is both elegant and insightful, offering a compelling exploration of the human condition and the consequences of our actions.