The Picture of Dorian Gray

by Wilde, Oscar; Mighall, Robert

• ISBN13: 9780141439570
• ISBN10: 0141439572
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-02-04
• Publisher: PENGUIN

About This Book

The Picture of Dorian Gray

ISBN: 9780141439570

About This Book

"The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde is a timeless classic that has captivated readers for over a century. This haunting and thought-provoking novel explores themes of beauty, morality, and the corrupting influence of society. It's a must-read for anyone interested in literature, philosophy, and the human condition.

Who Uses It?

Primarily, this book is used by students and educators in literature and philosophy classes at the high school and college levels. It's also a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of Victorian literature and the psychological insights it offers.

History and Editions

First published to scandalized protest in 1890, "The Picture of Dorian Gray" was widely condemned by Wilde's contemporaries as an affront to morality. Despite this, the book has become a staple of literary education, with its themes and characters continuing to resonate with readers today. The Penguin Classics edition, which you can find with ISBN 9780141439570, has been updated to provide a clear and accessible reading experience.

Author and Other Works

Oscar Wilde was a renowned Irish author, playwright, and poet known for his wit and intellectual curiosity. In addition to "The Picture of Dorian Gray," some of his notable works include "The Importance of Being Earnest," "An Ideal Husband," and "The Happy Prince and Other Tales." Wilde's writing often explores the intersection of aesthetics and ethics, making him a fascinating figure in literary history.

Key Features

• Classic Fiction: This novel is a quintessential example of classic fiction, offering insights into the Victorian era's social norms and cultural values.
• Philosophical Themes: It delves into profound philosophical questions about beauty, morality, and the human condition.
• Literary Style: Wilde's writing is characterized by his unique blend of humor, irony, and intellectual depth, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Detailed Information

ISBNs and Formats

• Paperback: ISBN-13: 9780141439570
• eBook: Available through various e-book retailers
• Rental Options: Various rental durations available from different retailers

Publication Details

• Publisher: Penguin Popular Classics
• Publication Date: February 4, 2003
• Number of Pages: 304 pages (in paperback format)
• Language: English

Other Editions and Formats

• Hardcover: ISBN-13: 9780141439570 (Note: The hardcover edition may vary in page count and ISBN)
• Used, Rental, and eBook Copies: Available through various retailers, but not guaranteed to include supplemental materials (check the title for details)

Related ISBNs:

• Hardcover (Different Edition): ISBN-13: 9780141440577 (Note: This might be a different edition or format)
• eBook (Different Edition): Available through various e-book retailers with different ISBNs (ensure accuracy when searching)

This detailed information section provides a quick reference for all the available formats and sources for "The Picture of Dorian Gray," making it easier to find and access the book in the preferred format.

Author Biography

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was born in Dublin. He wrote witty and satirical plays including The Importance of Being Earnest, as well as short stories, fairy tales, essays, and poetry.

Robert Mighall edited Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Tales of Terror for Penguin Classics.

Peter Ackroyd is an award-winning novelist, critic, and biographer.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. vii
Note on the Text	p. xvii
Select Bibliography	p. xix
A Chronology of Oscar Wilde	p. xxi
The Preface	p. xxiii
	p. 1
	p. 12
	p. 25
	p. 36
	p. 49
	p. 59
	p. 66
	p. 76
	p. 88
	p. 96
	p. 104
	p. 120
	p. 126
	p. 132
	p. 143
	p. 151
	p. 158
	p. 164
	p. 172
	p. 180
Explanatory Notes	p. 185
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Dorian made no answer, but passed listlessly in front of his picture and turned towards it. When he saw it he drew back, and his cheeks flushed for a moment with pleasure. A look of joy came into his eyes, as if he had recognized himself for the first time. He stood there motionless and in wonder, dimly conscious that Hallward was speaking to him, but not catching the meaning of his words. The sense of his own beauty came on him like a revelation. He had never felt it before. Basil Hallwards's compliments has seemed to him to be merely the charming exaggerations of friendship. He had listened to them, laughed at them, forgotten them. They had not influenced his nature. Then had come Lord Henry Wotton with his strange panegyric on youth, his terrible warning of its brevity. That had stirred him at the time, and now, as he stood gazing at the shadow of his own loveliness, the full reality of the description flashed across him. Yes, there would be a day when his face would be wrinkled and wizen, his eyes dim and colourless, the grace of his figure broken and deformed. The scarlet would pass away from his lips, and the gold steal from his hair. The life that was to make his soul would mar his body. He would become dreadful, hideous, and uncouth.

As he thought of it, a sharp pang of pain struck though him like a knife, and made each delicate fibre of his nature quiver. His eyes deepened into amethyst, and across them came a mist of tears. He felt as is a hand of ice had been laid upon his heart.

'Don't you like it?' cried Hallward at last, stung a little by the lad's silence, not understanding what it meant.

'Of course he likes it,' said Lord Henry. 'Who wouldn't like it? It is one of the greatest things in modern art. I will give you anything you like to ask for it. I must have it.'

'It is not my property, Harry.'

'Whose property is it?'

'Dorian's, of course,' answered the painter.

'He's a very lucky fellow.'

'How sad it is!' murmured Dorian Gary, with his eyes still fixed upon his own portrait. 'How sad it is! I shall grow old, and horrible, and dreadful. It will never be older than this particular day of June...If it were only the other way!