Thursday, February 14, 2013
the Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
The Picture of Dorian Gray is a masterpiece of literature that has survived the trials of time again and again. Originally Oscar WIlde underwent much controversy over his explicit scenes and homoerotic content. Finally the book gained fame and is now used in comprehensive English classes all over the world. It shows the life of a young and stunningly handsome man by the name of Dorian Gray. Gray is susceptible to influence and Lord Henry Wotton take advantage of this. Lord Wotton turns Dorian Gray into the young, lively, and beautiful person he always dreamed of being.
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I have personally seen the movie of Dorian Gray twice. Many people believe it is a vulgar and explicit movie unfit for viewing. Many people would also say and have said I have poor taste in movies.
ReplyDeleteI decided to start reading this book because I was so interested in the movie. So far I am not disappointed. The beginning in the book is much different than the movie I must say, I was fairly shocked because the movie seemed so book material (in my opinion) that it would have been more similar. Also I personally like the beginning to the movie more than that of the book. I feel it introduces Dorian Gray better than in the book.
In the book Lord Henry Wotton seems to play a role even to that of Dorian Grays. In the movie he was portrayed as a very important character, but not as important as Dorian. The book even began with dialogue between Lord Henry and Basil Hallward. Only later in the story does it introduce Dorian Gray as an important character.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Dorian is not immediately portrayed as the main character he is shown more intellectually than Lord Henry. Wilde goes in depth into the the thoughts and feelings of Dorian whereas he just has Lord Henry speak excessively.
It is interesting to see the culture of the people living in the time period of the book. They are shown gossiping about family members countless times. It portrays the upper class people as fairly shallow individuals. They most likely were shallow and fairly condescending.
The plot of this story has really started to unfold. Dorian now has traded his own personality for the one Lord Henry has continued to preach about.In this book I picture Dorian as a clay figure and Lord Henry is the artist. Wilde also focuses his writing more on Dorian's thought and feelings than the portrait.
ReplyDelete(note: I just had two paragraphs written for a post and lost it, so this one may not be as long).
ReplyDeleteIn the book it shows Dorian's picture slowly changing with his soul. In the movie it shows the decayed and corrupt portrait once in the end. The first time Dorian notices the portrait is changing in the book, he instantly comes to the conclusion that he wished his soul into the painting. I feel Oscar Wilde made this too abrupt, and left out the mystery for the readers. At the same time I enjoy reading about Dorian's thoughts as the painting changes.