Oscar Wilde's novel, like the life of a writer, caused a lot of controversy and conflicting opinions. No matter what 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 complicated occupation. This character is ambiguous, and many see only one of its sides, while others remain in the shadows.
About the novel
The work was created and published in an era that could not stand liberties. Immediately after its release among critics and writers, the flame of controversy erupted. Many believed that the work must be destroyed, and its author subject to punishment and even imprisonment. However, the novel was understood and accepted by the reader.
The principles of aesthetics and hedonism, proclaimed in the novel, became a real manifesto, but also caused negativity and protest. The anger of the learned public calmed down a bit, when reviews and common thoughts began to appear 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 questions about Wilde's work, since the hero is very ambiguous. It intertwines the everyday and the mystical, dark and light. Portrait as a mirror of the soul, portrait as a punishment, and against its fantastic background, the fate of Dorian develops, which, like its creator, is entangled in its own web of erroneous judgments and imaginary values.
History of creation
The characterization of the image of Dorian Gray would not be complete without an almost mystical background to the creation of both the main character and the novel.
Oscar Wilde was an original creator of his works and heroes. All his images did not appear out of nowhere, but were created by life itself. It happened with his only published novel, the history of the plan of which is interesting no less than 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 workshop, the writer saw a very handsome young man. Struck by the beauty of the sitter, the writer made a whole sad speech about how inexorably time will soon leave its mark on the beautiful face of a young man. To this, the artist half-jokingly said that he would draw a portrait of a boy every year so that portraits would "grow old" instead.
Dorian Gray characterization outline
To recreate the image of Gray will be easier for both us and the readers with a plan.
The classic characterization scheme in the literature is appearance, character, actions, your opinion. But, since we are talking about an extraordinary hero, it is worth acting differently.
- Gray, see you and Lord Henry.
- Lord's influence on Dorian.
- Portrait and permissiveness.
- The death of Sybill and the first changes.
- Eternal youth and imaginary impunity.
- Awareness of the spell of the portrait.
- Attempts to change.
- The killing of an artist as the climax of destruction.
- Attempts to get rid of the portrait and the finale.
Dorian Gray - who is he?
The quotation characteristic of the image of Dorian Gray is a rather difficult task, since it is difficult to single out the most important points. A novel - like a song - each word in it is in its place and has its own function. Therefore, we will give a characteristic, according to the created plan.
Before meeting with 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 workshop, he utters a spell filled with bitterness as a spell, which ends with the phrase: “Oh, if this portrait grew old instead of me!” In some magical way this is happening. From this moment on, a handsome young man does not age anymore. But what will bring him this eternal youth?
The first offense of Dorian is his rejection of his loving young actress Sybill. Unexpected twists and turns - a striking feature of the novel "Portrait of Dorian Gray." The characterization of the image of Dorian Gray is seriously changing from now on. He learns about the death of his former lover, but he is completely untouched by this. And that evening he was destined to see the changes in the portrait - his face twisted in an ominous cruel grin. Now the portrait is the judge and executioner Dorian. His life is marked by a series of broken female hearts and throws on dens. There he wants to forget about the horror lurking in an ominous 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 romance in his life with a pure, sincere girl and a revealingly noble treatment with her gives Dorian hope that everything can still be changed. But the portrait is adamant, the soul poisoned by poison cannot be changed. In a fit of despair, Gray sticks a knife into the portrait, but falls himself with a pierced heart.
Characterization of images ("Portrait of Dorian Gray")
In addition to 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 pure worship of pleasure. But is he happy? More likely not, the Lord is saturated with permissiveness, and little brings him true pleasure and enjoyment.
Ambiguous and the artist Basil. He lives in his work and only him. His creation will kill him, but this will not become less brilliant. The artist-creator, the creator, from whose pen a miracle appeared - this is how the author of a real person of art sees it.
The characterization of the image of Dorian Gray is given above, and we will not dwell on it here.