As we all know, the literary creed of Aestheticism was much in fashion at the times of Oscar Wilde and he fully embraced its philosophy of the central importance of art in life. So The Picture of Dorian Gray also can not be avoided. I was so flattered to have a glimpse of this novel in my Winter Holiday and it affected me so much in the aspect of what you should and how to know yourself well. I assured I got a lot but can not easily be draw the outline of it. There are a thousand hamlets that belong to a thousand people, so do Dorian Gray.

First of all, I thought it’s necessary to introduce something about Oscar Wild, the author of this book. Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (16 October 1854 – 30 November 1900) was an Irish writer, poet and prominent aesthete. His parents were successful Dublin intellectuals, and from an early age he showed his intelligence, becoming fluent in French and German, then an outstanding classicist, first at Dublin, then at Oxford. After university, Wilde moved around trying his hand at various literary activities: he published a book of poems, lectured extensively, and wrote journalism prolifically. Known for his biting wit, flamboyant dress, and glittering conversation, Wilde had become one of the most well-known personalities of his day. Though it was his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray - still widely read - that brought him more lasting recognition. He became one of the most successful playwrights of the late Victorian era in London with a series of hilarious social satires which continue to be performed, especially his masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest. At the height of his fame and success, he suffered a dramatic downfall in a sensational series of trials. Wilde was imprisoned for two years' hard labour after being convicted of "gross indecency" with other men. In prison he wrote De Profundis, a dark counterpoint to his earlier philosophy of pleasure. After release from prison he set sail for Dieppe by the night ferry, never to return to Ireland or Britain. In France he wrote The Ballad of Reading Gaol, a long, terse poem commemorating the harsh rhythms of prison life, but no further creative work. He died, destitute, in Paris aged forty-six years old.

All details above reveal that his legend lifetime and tragic ending, but The Picture of Dorian Gray was exactly the key to open his legend. But if we want to know what indeed this story really tells us, let’s to have a succession summarization of the figures of it.

There is no wonder Dorian Gray is the protagonist and the story speaks all his short lifetime in London, this magic city. What we first know of him is from Basil Hallward who was a painter saying that Dorian was the only one full of real beauty and some brainless beautiful creature who should be always here in winter when they had no flowers to look at, and always here in summer when they wanted something to chill their intelligence to his best friend Henry Wotton, a harsh lord in no wonder. When Basil finished the portrait of Dorian Gray, Henry praised it was the best work of him and the greatest cherish Basil showed really grasped Henry’s heart and made him eager to know more about Dorian Gary, this wonderful creature in this world. It was certain that our Dorian appeared with the story’s development. He is such a pure, clean, young and beautiful guy and Henry showed great interest to him. After a short talk between Dorian and Henry, the viewpoint Henry told him made him really interested about this amazing world and the way Henry lived and behaved really attracted him so much which not only made him trust Henry 100% and let him know that only young and beauty were the most important in this world. This caused the later things to turn to the other way and Dorian started his missing from then.

Then our Dorian met the best gift of his life called Sibyl Vane who worked in a small and poor theater. They both had a good impression to each other and soon fell in love. When Dorian told Henry about his feelings that she was the best romance of his life and they were engaged soon, Henry told him it was not his best romance but his first romance and warned him it was just game. At last Dorian gave up Sibyl and she could not accept the fact and commit suicide. This was a turning point and Dorian Gray started his the rest of his evil lifetime.

Sibyl’s brother was angry and he rushed into Dorian’s house want to kill him. But this attempted killing still hurt Dorian and he found his wound by chance could heal itself but the wound would appear on his portrait. He realized that his portrait could be evil but he was still addicted into it and began to enjoy his young and beauty with complex women cause he wouldn’t turn old.

On the other hand, Basil wanted to borrow his portrait to exhibit but Dorian refused it. Basil was so curious and he went to Dorian’s home and insisted to see his work. At last he saw it and surprised to ask Dorian why his work became like that. Dorian told him the truth and suddenly killed him. Then Dorian went to other city soon and when he came back after 20 years, people are shocked as he was still what he looked 20 years ago. And at that time, he met Henry’s daughter and fell in love again. Her instinct told her that Dorian had a big secret but Dorian told her nothing. Henry was worried about their amour and forced Dorian to leave his deer daughter. And finally he found the secret and wanted to burn that portrait. They fought with each other and Henry fired the portrait and locked Dorian in the loft. Just that time Henry’s daughter arrived and wanted to save her lover. Dorian suddenly realized that he could not be controlled by his portrait and burned it himself and told Henry to cast away as soon as possible.

The story ended in Dorian’s death but what it revealed to us was still unfinished. The reason why it amazed me is that Oscar Wild told us everyone had been Dorian Gray but when we stepped into this complex society, we missed ourselves in different ways. Whatever you see and whenever you are, we receive rich information and influenced by so many things. He that lies down with dogs must rise up with flea. This slang also adapts us. We are young and full of energy. It’s no doubt that we are getting through our gold time. What I will be and what I can be seems so important during this time. Don’t forget we were Dorian Gray and don’t forget to be a real Dorian Gray.

200830561089 jisai 08scut/sfl Class 3