Dorian Gray (disambiguation)

Dorian Gray is the main character of Oscar Wilde's novel The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Original character

Dorian Gray is the orphaned grandson of Lord Kelso. His mother, Margaret Deveraux, a great society beauty, died in childbirth shortly after Dorian's father was killed in a duel. It was said that Lord Kelso paid the Belgian duelist to cause the fight.

The novel begins with Dorian as a young man. Kelso is dead, and Dorian has inherited much of the Deveraux fortune. He is now the protege of Lady Agatha, Lord Henry Wotten's aunt, and together they entertain and raise money for the Whitechapel poor.

Until Dorian finally meets Lord Henry he is naive of his own his good looks and personality. His innocence is unspoiled and his knowledge of the world that of a child. To his friend, the artist Basil Hallward, Dorian is simply a motive in art. A privately worshipped icon in Hallward's idealistic world. Dorian is described as "wonderfully handsome, with his finely-curved scarlet lips, his frank blue eyes and his crisp gold hair . . . All the candour of youth was there, as well as all of youth's passionate purity."

One afternoon, while sitting for a portrait in Basil's studio, Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotten. Wotten's low musical voice enchants the lad as he stands upon a dais in the afternoon sunlight. Dorian is convinced by him that his looks are in fact his most important virtue. The constant flick and dash of the artist's brush melt away as Lord Henry's doctrine of self-development awakens Dorian's . . . "The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it . . ." murmurs Lord Henry. "Resist it and the soul grows sick with longing." Dorian is transfixed by his philosophy. Flooded with feelings he cannot comprehend he leaves the studio and goes out into the garden. Lord Henry joins him and under the shade of a laurel tree the boy listens to a second panegyric on youth. "The Laburnum will be as yellow next June as it is now . . . But we never get back our youth. Our limbs fail our senses rot . . . Youth, youth, there is absolutely nothing in the world but youth."

When they return to the studio Dorian is shown his finished portrait. On seeing it the sense of his own beauty falls on him like a revelation. The full reality of Lord Henry's warning of the brevity of youth and life's aim of unbridled hedonsim, cuts through his boyhood innocence. In a flash he cries, "I shall grow old, and horrible, and dreadful. But this picture will remain always young. It will never be older than this particular day of June. . . If it were only the other way! If it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! For that—for that—I would give everything! Yes, there is nothing in the whole world I would not give! I would give my soul for that!"

In the heat of the moment Hallward, astonished at Dorian's impassioned plea, attempts to destroy the canvas. But before the steel palette knife can do its work Dorian shouts;"No Basil, no . . . it would be murder!"

Under the guidance of Lord Henry Dorian becomes increasingly self-absorbed and heartless. Yet he discovers and falls in love with a pretty actress. On the night of his introducing Basil and Lord Henry to her the actress plays poorly. Unfortunately she is no longer able to act out the false love of Shakespeare's heroines whilst filled with a true love for Dorian. Disappointed and bitterly embarassed for his friends, Dorian ends their relationship.

When the lad returns home at dawn he notices a subtle change in the painting. There is a touch of cruelty in the mouth. As he looks curiously upon his image he is unaware that that same night, with her engagement in ruins, Sybil Vane has committed suicide.

With the passage of time the portrait ages and spoils. The hair thins, the cheeks grow sallow. It is clear the image is ageing instead of Dorian. Incredibly the portrait also bears burden of his shame. Like Faust Dorian has sold his soul - but unlike Faust, he is unaware of the bargain he has made.

Under Lord Henry's influence, Dorian continues to live a hedonistic lifestyle, with strong hints of homosexual behavior. The face of his portrait grows uglier with each moral transgression. When Basil comes to warn Dorian of the scandalous rumours that are sweeping London about him. Wholly indifferent, Dorian smiles to himself, and decides to show Basil the painted 'diary of his life'. Hallward is perplexed as Dorian explains to him that not only God can see ones soul, "for tonight, with your own eyes, you will see my soul." Together they go up to the old nursery at the top of the house. As the purple pall is torn from Hallward's painting the artist falls to his knees and begs Dorian to pray for forgiveness. The loathsome image is sickening. Every vile act, every hideous sign of age oozes from the sodden canvas. Dorian picks up a discarded knife and in a fit of rage, murders his old friend. Blood immediately appears on the picture, staining the white hands of its subject. Turning from the scene, pressing his forhead to the cool glass of the window, Hallward's blood still dripping on the carpet, Dorian determines to hide forever the monstrous mirror of his sins.

Towards the end of the novel Dorian realises he was wrong to have followed Lord Henry's doctrines. He decides to change, to make amends and to rise above his mentor's cynical epigrams which cut life to pieces. But his attempts at reform are shallow and superficial - and in turn the painting becomes smug and hypocritical looking instead of him.

At last Dorian decides to rid himself of his terrible sins and of his past by destroying the portrait. He stabs the canvas. The servants hear him scream suddenly and rush to help, but "When they entered, they found hanging upon the wall a splendid portrait of their master as they had last seen him, in all the wonder of his exquisite youth and beauty. Lying on the floor was a dead man, in evening dress, with a knife in his heart. He was withered, wrinkled, and loathsome of visage. It was not till they had examined the rings that they recognized who it was."

References to Dorian Gray in popular culture

In other literature

The Detritus of Dorian Gray appeared in a book of poems with the same title written by Kevin Max.

"Dorian" by Will Self transposes Oscar Wilde's original characters one hundred years in the future; the book follows our recognisable aristocratic heores through the 1980s and 1990s, and explores many cultural and societal issues.

On the stage

A theatrical production of The Picture of Dorian Gray was staged by John Osborne in the mid 1970s.

In movies

A number of movie adaptations have been made of the novel, most notably the 1945 version with Hurd Hatfield in the title role, which won an Oscar for Best Cinematography, black-and-white. The grotesque portrait shown in the film is an original by noted artist Ivan Albright.

Dorian Gray makes an appearance in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003), which is a feature film specifically about many famous literary characters going on an adventure. He is played by Stuart Townsend. In this incarnation, his 'curse' was altered somewhat; his painting now also took for him the physical damage he may sustain, making him virtually immortal, unless he is forced to look upon the portrait, whereupon his 'curse' would be broken and all the physical deformities from sin, age, and physical damage that had been absorbed by the painting throughout the years would be thrust back on him, killing him instantly. Because of this, he hid the painting not only from others, but himself, as well, so that he could continue to use the 'curse' to his benefit.

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In music

Dorian Gray was the stage name of a 1960s UK pop singer. His only hit was I've Got You on My Mind.

Well-known Canadian playwright Ted Dykstra, along with lyricist Steven Mayoff, wrote a musical, titled Dorian, which is based upon the book. The musical was released in 2002 and is set in the late 1900s, with the character of Dorian transformed from a member of the idle rich to an aspiring young model. Sample songs are available on the musical's website.

Styx mentions Dorian Gray in their song "Sing for the Day" from their Pieces of Eight (1998) album:

Hannah you're with me in spirit wherever I go

To the ends of the earth and all points between high and low

Each night by the stage you appear as you are

The ever intangible child

Ageless and timeless as Dorian Gray

Oh Hannah I know that it's you and you're leading me on

"A Picture of Dorian Gray" is a song by Television Personalities, which featured on their album titled And Don't The Kids Just Love It (1980). This song was covered by The Futureheads, a British rock band.

When I'll buy my mansion I'll invite the world to stay

So everyone can see a picture of Dorian Gray

We'll sit by the river drinking lemon tea

And there's a thousand midget Russians in midget submarines

You can come and stay

You can bring your friends

You can come and stay for a day

And see a picture of Dorian Gray

Take you to my mansion, can see my gallery

Lots of pretty pictures, all of them of me

We'll sit by the river drinking lemon tea

Eat tiny cucumber sandwiches made by Emily

You can come and stay

You can bring your friends

You can come and stay for a day

And see a picture of Dorian Gray

Dorian Gray is mentioned in the song "You're Still Beautiful" (1990) by The Church. Shadowland, a progressive rock band, refers to Dorian Gray in "Jigsaw", a song on their studio album titled Ring of Roses (1992):

And the reason for my fear

Could I borrow more time

Remember Dorian Gray?

But would I be prepared to pay the

price I know I'd have to pay?

Dorian Gray is mentioned in Motley Crue's song "New Tattoo" found on their "New Tattoo" (2000) album:

I don’t want to see us fade away

I don’t want to be without you another day

I could be your Dorian Gray

I won’t fade away

No, I won’t fade away

Dorian Gray is mentioned in Liz Phair's song "H.W.C." (2003) from her eponymously titled album. "Dorian Gray" is a song from the Grasping For Hope In The Darkness (2004) album by Canadian Catholic rock band, Critical Mass. The song "Narcissist" (2004) by British rock band The Libertines, features many references to Dorian Gray

Professionally trendy in the glow of Clapham sun

There's life after work and it can be such fun

You see all the models in magazines and on the walls

You wanna be just like them

Cause they're so cool

They're just narcissists

Well wouldn't it be nice to be Dorian Gray?

Just for a day

They're just narcissists

Oh, what's so great to be Dorian Gray

Every day?

We're living in a looking glass

As the beauty of life goes by

You're going to be so oh

You're going to grow so old

Your skin so cold

Well they're just narcissists

Well wouldn't it be nice to be Dorian Gray

Just for a day?

Such narcissists

what's so great to be Dorian Gray

Every day?

They're just narcissists

Wouldn't it be great to be Dorian Gray?

Just for a day

Just for a day

James Blunt refers to Dorian Gray in the song, "Tears and Rain" (2005):

I guess it's time I run far, far away; find comfort in pain,

All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.

Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray.

"Dorian" is a song by the power metal group Demons & Wizards which is entirely dedicated to the story of Dorian Gray. It appears on their sophomore album Touched by the Crimson King (2005). "The Murder of Dorian Gray" by Farewell Flight on their album titled Signals (2005) refers to the character in the lines "Stare back, Dorian Gray, the picture tells the story well". "popdorian" is a track by dubstar. Released in 1995. The last line is:

dorian puts on a smile on his old face now,

dorian realising he's had it now,

... for good".

Dorian Gray was a name of a Croatian band formed by Massimo Savić in 1983.

There is also a song titled with his name ("Dorian Gray") written by Polish Prog-Rock band called Abraxas describing Dorian's crimes and cruelty:

You can escape like a spy

under the coat of a day.

And you keep searching for evil,

Cursed like your own shadow.

Your name is Dorian Gray

The Alchemy of devine rights,

The decent words will rock you.

You never say I love you.

And the soul - serpent is a virgin.

Like a murderer you defile every grave.

The veil covers your face

And your beautiful eyes say nothing.

One day you will sail away in the sky.

Like a saint taken from a sweet dream,

You will sail in a procession to stars.

Only the race of crime, the voices of spirits.

Divide us and our world into halves.

Only God knows what is on.

Purity of wounds, dignity and pain,

Ceremonies for broken hearts,

Children's tears, endless wandering.

There is some venom in you not worthy to live.

Poisoned wine, a portrait in blood.

You keep searching for evil.

Cursed like your own shadow.

And your name is Dorian Gray.

Cursed the satan's son. Innocent picture,

grey whiteness.

Greed demands the words to fulfill.

And they get fulfilled.

Pop Culture

The famous American cartoonist Gary Larson published a one-frame illustriation depicting "Dorian Gray and His Dog" in his acclaimed strip The Far Side. The single pane displays a view of a living room wall and window. Hanging on the wall are two portraits: one of an old withered man, the other of an old withered dog. Through the window in the other wall, the reader views a young man and his dog playing outside on the lawn.

Elsewhere

There is a minor artifact called the Gray Portrait in the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, which absorbs all kinds of negative effects (disease, aging, negative levels, etc.) for the owner, until such time as ownership is lost or the portrait is destroyed, whereupon all the negative effects are then visited upon the former owner.

Trivia

• Star Trek The Next Generation had an episode where an alien diplomat tricked women into being "recepticals" for all of his negative emotions via telepathy causing the women to become old and die before their time. Deeana Troi is an almost victim - in the nick of time she and another near victim are saved at the last minute while all the negative emotions flow back into the diplomat who becomes old and dies in a few seconds.

• Velvet Goldmine (1998 film) includes the line "The world is changed because you are made from ivory and gold. The curves of your lips re-write history". A line from a love letter sent to Dorian Gray in the novel.