7.4: Oscar Wilde, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”

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Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was one of the most celebrated and controversial writers of his era. His works were part of the Decadence artistic movement that rejected conventional morals and reveled in beauty for beauty’s sake. Wilde was eventually tried and found guilty of homosexuality, a serious offense in England at the time. His works were used as evidence against him and subject to censorship for many years.

The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde’s most famous novel, was published in several forms. A thirteen chapter version was released in a London magazine. Later, after he made some edits, a twenty chapter version was published independently. The story follows a young aristocrat who gains a form of immortality when his portrait begins to age and show the signs of his sins, while he remains beautiful.

Follow this link to read a copy of the novel.

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/174