Notes on The Picture of Dorian Gray

Introduction

Set in 19th century England
Lord Henry Wotton visits friend Basil Hallward, who is painting Dorian Gray's portrait.
Henry admires the painting; Basil fears his feelings for Dorian affect it.

Henry interacts with Dorian during the portrait sitting, praising his beauty.
Dorian wishes to stay young while the portrait ages.
He falls in love with actress Sybil Vane, who calls him "Prince Charming."
They plan to marry despite her brother James's suspicions.
Sybil's performance declines after falling in love, leading Dorian to break off the engagement.
After breaking up, Dorian notices a cruel expression in Basil's portrait.
Sybil commits suicide, leaving Dorian horrified. Henry encourages him to view it as an artful experience.
Dorian locks the portrait away.

Dorian receives materials from Henry, including the inquest results and a French novel.
Becomes obsessed with the novel, leading to a period of decadence.
Dorian meets Basil again before his 38th birthday; Basil warns him of his reputation.
Dorian shows Basil the portrait, which horrifies Basil.
In a fit of rage, Dorian murders Basil.

Dorian blackmails Alan Campbell to dispose of Basil's body.
Encounters James Vane, who initially seeks revenge for Sybil's death but lets Dorian go after mistaking him for someone younger.
A week later, during a hunting trip, James accidentally dies due to a shooting accident.
Dorian reflects on his ruined life and decides to destroy the portrait.

Dorian stabs his portrait, which becomes beautiful again while his body becomes old and repulsive.
Servants find the young portrait and Dorian's dead body, identified only by his rings.

Dorian Gray: Central character, initially beautiful, becomes morally corrupt and self-destructive.
Lord Henry Wotton: Cynical dandy, encourages Dorian's hedonism and aesthetic philosophy.
Basil Hallward: The artist who captures Dorian's beauty in the portrait, represents true artistic integrity.
Sybil Vane: Dorian's love interest, symbolizes the conflict between art and reality.
James Vane: Sybil’s brother, a protective figure who seeks revenge.

The Portrait: Central symbol representing Dorian's moral decline and the duality of appearance vs. reality.
Flowers: Represent fleeting beauty in contrast to Dorian's enduring ugliness.
Theater: Symbolizes escapism through art, and the roles characters play in their own lives.
The Yellow Book: Represents Lord Henry's influence on Dorian, driving him towards hedonism and immorality.

Appearance vs. Reality: The divergence of Dorian's external beauty from his internal corruption.
Art vs. Life: Dorian’s love for Sybil is tied to her artistic performances rather than her true self.
Reputation vs. Character: Dorian's pleasing appearance masks his corrupt character, affecting how people perceive him.
Pleasure vs. Virtue: Explores the temptations of pleasure and its consequences, including implications of homosexual desire.

Oscar Wilde's novel explores complex themes of morality, beauty, and the consequences of a life devoted to aestheticism.