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.

Just one amazing point: Dr Jekyll was forgiven all mortal sins, all crimes committed in his second self – even a murder. What he wasn’t forgiven was a momentary vainglorious thought. That was what finally brought the grave punishment upon him. Definitely there is something to think about in this: even the most virtuous of us have, I’m sure, more than once been guilty of this particular sin.

The story of gradual deterioration of his moral sense, under the influence of his transforming draught, is both fascinating and scary. The fate of the unfortunate Henry Jekyll is heartbreaking: you can’t help pitying him, even knowing that he – of all people – had nobody but himself to blame. The apparent impunity of his double existence was not a true one – and the punishment it finally resulted in was far more horrible than anything he could have received under normal circumstances, even including the gallows. The saddest part of all is that he brought about the deaths of two more people but himself – two genuinely good people, Sir Danvers Carew and his own good old friend Dr Hastie Lanyon.

Impunity doesn’t exist: that’s just one of the things the author seems to be driving at. I could think of a few more, but they would all be revolving around this core one. So I’ll stop now and just recommend this book to you, dear reader, if for some reason you haven’t read it yet. It’s not long, and it’s definitely worth the time you’ll spend reading.