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England in 1890, Estonia in 1929
The only published novel by Oscar Wilde
First appeared in a magazine
Added seven chapters
Alternations
Homoerotic overtones
Belief in hedonism

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The story tells of a man called Dorian Gray
Young nobleman, rich, but pure-hearted
New way of thinking - the only things worth pursuing in life are beauty and fulfilment of the senses
Wishes the portrait grew old, instead of him
Drawn into a new lifestyle
Actions and aging are displayed in his portrait

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Dorian Gray – a young gentleman who begins to indulge himself every kind of pleasure
Basil Hallward - an artist who paints the portrait of Dorian and becomes infatuated with his beauty.
Lord Henry Wotton or “Harry” - is an extremely witty and sharp-tongued nobleman, who conveys his views to Dorian

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Sibyl Vane – Dorian’s lover
James Vane – Sibyl’s brother
Alan Campbell – Dorian’s friend
Victoria, Lady Henry Wotton – Lord Henry’s wife
Victor – Dorian’s servant

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Protagonist: Dorian Gray
Major conflict: Dorian secretly promises his soul to maintain his youth forever
Rising action: Dorian remarks changes in his portrait after committing his first sin
Dorian is doubt-troubled and paranoid. He kills
Basil
He regrets many things he has done. By stabbing his wretched portrait, kills himself www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-zjVKLxhk4

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Classic example of aestheticism and double life
Wilde emphasises his pleasure of living double life
Constantly worried about his image within
Victorian society
Enjoys his hedonistic side when being alone
Dorian is both the aesthete and the criminal combined in one man

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"The only excuse for making a useless thing is that one admires it intensely. All art is quite useless."
"There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about."
"The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it."
"Men marry because they are tired; women, because they are curious: both are disappointed."
"Laughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is far the best ending for one."
"To be in love is to surpass one's self."
"The real drawback to marriage is that it makes one unselfish.
And unselfish people are colourless. They lack individuality."
"To get back my youth I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early, or be respectable."
"One should never do anything that one cannot talk about after dinner."

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DGS - excessive preoccupation with the person’s own appearance accompanied by difficulties coping with the aging process and with the requirements of maturation
Using cosmetic products or procedures
Dysmorphophobics

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Contemporary dance adaptation of Dorian Gray, by Matthew Bourne
Film "The Picture of Dorian Gray", released in
1945
Film "Dorian Gray", released in 2009
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"Dorian, an Imitation", a novel by Will Self http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VjY725fRjk&feature=related