The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Horror stories come in many different forms. There are the few that have to do with real life situations, and there are the few that are supernatural gems in the gothic genre. Most can appear to be corny and lame and while they exhibit somewhat terrifying happenings, they tend to overplay the usage of the forces of darkness. It is the stories with the subtlety of the black magic that can really paint a lovely picture (in a rather grotesque manner, but you get the idea).

This is especially true in the case of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Indeed a lovely picture is painted within the very context of art itself. The story does not have a specific main character, however it has its protagonist; obviously known as Dorian Gray. Dorian is an astonishingly beautiful young piano player who exhibits the ideals of picturesque beauty and youth. Basil Hallward, a painter creates a portrait of Dorian Gray which is a subject of envy to Dorian. He becomes depressed knowing that he will age and his beauty will fade while the picture will stay young forever. His wish to bask in the never aging world like the painting comes true, and the burden of the things going on in his life will take its toll upon the painting. The story holds some blandness because it was written in the 1800s, however there are many scenes that withhold an essence of pure drama. Most of the drama is created by a very emotional Dorian Gray, who makes the book a little bit of a page turner. With its flamboyancy and ornate detail and description, The Picture of Dorian Gray is an imaginary painting on its own; a dramatic masterpiece.

Reviewed by BHS student S. Meyers