“The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde

Back to classical and well-known literature of the nineteenth century – truly the Golden Age of literature. Oscar Wilde’s only novel, into which he put all his genius, keeps fascinating generations of readers, because love and hate, moral and immoral deeds, purity and depravity, and good and bad influences are topics that don’t belong to any particular time – they will exist for as long as human beings trample on the surface of the Earth.

When we first meet Dorian Gray in the second chapter of the novel, his soul is pure and unspoiled. He meets Lord Henry Wotton – a man ten years older than himself, who finds special pleasure in saying cynical things in the most charming and skilful manner – and he fascinates the young lad. Dorian’s soul opens readily to his influence. His other friend – Basil Hallward, the artist who is painting his portrait – immediately looks boring to Dorian, just because he won’t say immoral things. Later, when Dorian discovers that the portrait will take every trace of his evil deeds upon itself and spare his own face, which is going to forever look young, untroubled and innocent, he, sure of his impunity, steps upon the path of depravity and disgrace. Dorian’s money gives him all the opportunities – his friend Lord Henry encourages him – his good looks make him popular enough to make many friends (whose lives he ruins one by one) – and the picture in the attic, hidden from the eyes of everyone else but Dorian himself, bears the traces of every sin, every cruelty and every wrong deed. For long eighteen years Dorian finds it amusing, until his conscience suddenly wakes up and starts torturing him. He tries to better himself, but it’s too late. Finally, in an attempt to destroy the picture to rid of its influence, he actually stabs himself to death.

These are well known facts. The question is, “why?” Why did Dorian succumb so easily to the poisonous influence of Lord Henry’s words? Was it because he had been deprived of all pleasures during his childhood, growing up in the house of his stern and unloving grandfather? Was it because he was too good-looking for a man? Once I knew a young man who was just a little too good-looking – and he did tend to worship himself a little to much and to be selfish to the point of being immoral. Or was it just because this depravity was part of his real nature, just sleeping inside him until the day when it was destined to be woken – if not by Lord Henry, then by someone else. There’s always an eloquent cynic around, ready to prey on the innocent. Most of us can resist them – if we wish. Dorian didn’t even try to resist.

The result was horrible. Just like Dr Jekyll, Dorian was bound to discover that impunity didn’t exist. He ruined many others – he murdered his friend Basil Hallward – and then he finally ruined himself. It was inevitable.

I remember well how this book fell into my hands when I was just starting to read in English. In those days my vocabulary was quite restricted, but it was enough to appreciate the exquisite beauty of Oscar Wilde’s writing style. It wasn’t hard to read at all: I could easily guess the meaning of most unknown words from the context – and it sang to me. I’m re-reading it now, and it still sings to me. When I first read the book, I felt terribly sorry for Dorian whose life had been so promising, but was so thoroughly wasted. I was very angry with Lord Henry and blamed him for everything. I still feel sorry for Dorian – but in a different way, and I no longer blame Lord Henry, for nobody can deprave us if we don’t want to be depraved.

This book is a useful and fascinating read, and I recommend it to everyone – but especially to those who are 20 years old.