The picture of Dorian Gray (Yuli Coronado)

 The picture of Dorian Gray (1890)

Yuliana Coronado's reading report

Reading Control 1

Title: The picture of Dorian Grey (1890)

Author: Oscar Wilde

Genre: philosophical novel, drama

Chapters: 13

Setting: It takes place in London, United Kingdom and it is set in the decade the novel was written, 1890's 

Characters: 

Basil Hallward: A professional painter who had the opportunity to study at Oxford's university, despite his father wanted him to join the army. He is truly attracted to Dorian Gray, even though he do not know about his past life and secrets. Regarding his personality, he thinks that intellectual people have been overshadowed by people less skilled who only want to control the world. 

Lord Henry Wotton: An aristocrat man whose wealth made him to gain an important reputation in the elite of London. His aim is to make clear the real meaning of beauty since it has been misleading by the nature of the human being. 

Dorian Gray:  An attractive man whose personality is not well known, by his physical appearance has provided him an enviable reputation because of his good-looking face. He is also the main attention of the painter Basil and the possible interest of Lord Henry Wotton. 

Lady Brandon:  Basil's and Lord Henry's acquaintance. 

Lady Agatha: Lord Henry's aunt and someone who has a simple friendship with Dorian Gray. 

Why have I chosen this book?

Since I have been a huge fan of Oscar Wilde's work, I knew it was time to read the novel after watching the film that was produced in 2009. Also, I remember that a friend of mine read the novel of The Canterville ghost as I did, and after it I decided to analyze his writing and the connection that I found in his work as the way I like to express myself in writing. 

Summary from CHAPTER 1 and 2 (pages 1 to 40):

This story begins in London, in the conversation of two ex Oxford’s students and old friends at the residence’s studio of one of them. The aim of their chat was about the portrait that the residence’s owner painted. He was Basil Hallward, a skilled painter that became fascinated by his new model, the young Dorian Gray, a famous man whose beauty was the main reason why he was so popular. Basil’s friend, Lord Henry Wotton, after recognizing the painter’s talent he tried to encourage him to exhibit his work at The Grosvenor, a hotel with a high level reputation. Nonetheless, Basil denied sending his painting to the hotel. He explained that if he would have done it he would have revealed his soul to the world and his feelings for Gray with it. 

This caused Lord Henry’s interest in the young man and asked the painter if he could introduce Dorian to him, but he prefered not doing it. He stated that his extravagant personality was something peculiar that should have not been wasted, and that possibly Lord Henry’s mentality would have not comprehend Dorian’s identity. Moreover, Basil mentioned how he met him at Lady Brando’s mansion, an acquaintance of both, and how he knew from the first time that he was going to feel something for Gray. He also announced that Dorian’s character was transforming into a domination in his soul since the attractive man was becoming everything for Basil. This only increased Lord Henry’s excitement in meeting Gray. And when they were almost finishing their conversation, he remembered he had met Dorian before at Lady Agatha’s residence, his aunt. Just a few minutes later, after that memory appeared in his mind, they decided to return to the center of the house and when they were there the young Dorian had already arrived at Basil's residence. He seemed handsome to Lord Henry and all that youth shining from him catched all his attention. Despite Basil’s intention to make Lord Henry to leave since he was distracting Dorian to be painted in a new portrait, he could not succeed with his objective because the young man found out something he did not realize before with remarkable certainty. He was the most handsome man on Earth for many people and that was the real quality that made him a pleasant individual in society. Therefore, knowing that his youth would only be temporary, he thought he would give anything to look always young. At the same time he expressed his true desire of absorbing the youth from the painting and leaving his mortal soul to the picture. This only demonstrated to Basil that Dorian was becoming such a vain creature that he did not see before. He thought if that was Lord Henry’s fault or Gray himself. 

After all the experience that day, his inspiration decided to accept Lord Henry’s invitation while Basil was occupied for a moment and that worried the painter, considering that he might have not really known Dorian’s personality at all…