The Picture of Dorian Gray

Set against a backdrop of Victorian morality, the novel explores themes of aestheticism and moral duplicity through the story of Dorian Gray, whose portrait ages while he remains youthful. Initially published in a censored form, it sparked outrage among critics, leading Wilde to defend his work vigorously. The subsequent revisions allowed for a more complete expression of his ideas. This Gothic tale delves into the consequences of a life devoted solely to beauty and pleasure, questioning the nature of morality and the impact of societal judgment.