The novel by Oscar Wilde, like the life of the writer, caused a lot of controversy and conflicting opinions. Whatever epithets the work was awarded, where "immoral" and "corrupting" are still quite modest.
That is why the characterization of the image of Dorian Gray is a rather difficult task. This character is ambiguous, and many see only one of his sides, while others remain in the shadows.
About the novel
The work was created and published in an era that did not tolerate liberties. Immediately after its release, a controversy flared up among critics and writers. Many believed that the work should be destroyed, and its author should be punished and even imprisoned. However, the novel was understood and accepted by the reader.
The principles of aestheticism and hedonism, proclaimed in the novel, became a real manifesto, but also caused negative and protest. The anger of the scientific public subsided a bit, when reviews and common sense began to appear here and there, that the author does not praise, but condemns his hero and shows what such a lifestyle leads to.
Why is the characterization of the main character difficult?
The characterization of the image of Dorian Gray is one of the most controversial issues about Wilde's work, since the hero is very ambiguous. It intertwines everyday and mystical, dark and light. A portrait as a mirror of the soul, a portrait as a punishment, and against its fantastic background, the fate of Dorian develops, who, like his creator, is entangled in his own web of erroneous judgments and imaginary values.
History of Creation
Characterization of the image of Dorian Gray will not be complete without an almost mystical background to the creation of both the protagonist and the novel.
Oscar Wilde was an original creator of his works and characters. All his images did not appear out of nowhere, but were created by life itself. So it was with his only published novel, the story of the conception of which is as interesting as the work itself.
The writer was a friend of the then-famous London artist Basil Ward. Once, while spending time in pleasant conversations in his studio, the writer saw a very handsome young man. Struck by the beauty of the sitter, the writer made a whole sad speech about how inexorable time is, which will soon leave its mark on the beautiful face of the young man. To this, the artist half-jokingly said that he would paint a portrait every year.boy, so that portraits would “grow old” instead.
Dorian Gray characterization plan
It will be easier for us and the readers to recreate the image of Gray if we have a plan.
The classic characterization scheme in literature is appearance, character, actions, one's opinion. But, since we are talking about an extraordinary hero, it is worth doing differently.
- Grey see you and Lord Henry.
- The influence of the lord on Dorian.
- Portrait and permissiveness.
- The death of Cybill and the first changes.
- Eternal youth and imaginary impunity.
- Awareness of the Portrait Enchantment.
- Trying to change.
- The murder of an artist as the climax of destruction.
- Attempts to get rid of the portrait and finale.
Dorian Gray - who is he?
Quoting the image of Dorian Gray is a rather difficult task, as it is difficult to single out the most important points. A novel is like a song - every word in it has its place and has its own function. Therefore, we will give a description according to the created plan.
Before meeting Henry, the young man did not realize the power of his beauty and, even worse, its transience. Harry's influence poisons his soul with doubts and anxieties. In Hallward's studio, he delivers a speech filled with bitterness like a spell, which he ends with the phrase: "Oh, if only this portrait would grow old instead of me!" Somehow, magically, this happens. From that moment on, the handsome young man no longer ages. Butwhat will this eternal youth bring him?
Dorian's first offense is his rejection of his loving young actress Cybill. Unexpected twists are a striking feature of The Picture of Dorian Gray. The characterization of the image of Dorian Gray is seriously changing from this moment on. He learns about the death of his former lover, but he is completely untouched by this. And that same evening he was destined to see changes in the portrait - his face twisted into an ominous cruel grin. Now the portrait is the judge and executioner of Dorian. His life is marked by a series of broken women's hearts and throwing in brothels. There he wants to forget about the horror lurking in the sinister portrait.
When Gray realizes that there is nowhere else to fall, he tries to change. But attempts do not lead to salvation. In a fit of fear that his secret will be revealed, he kills the artist.
The last affair in his life with a pure, sincere girl and indicatively noble treatment of her gives Dorian hope that everything can still be changed. But the portrait is adamant, a soul poisoned by poison cannot be changed. In a fit of desperation, Gray plunges a knife into the portrait, but falls himself with a pierced heart.
Characteristics of images ("The Picture of Dorian Gray")
Besides Gray, the image of Lord Henry is very interesting in the novel. Many critics associate him with Wilde himself. The Lord is witty and cynical. He preaches the worship of pleasure in its purest form. However, is he happy? Rather not, the lord is fed up with permissiveness, and there is little that brings him real pleasure and pleasure.
The artist Basil is also ambiguous. He lives in his work and only in it. His creation will kill him, but that doesn't make him any less brilliant. An artist-creator, a creator from whose pen a miracle appeared - this is how the author sees a real man of art.
The characterization of the image of Dorian Gray is given above, and we will not dwell on it here.
