The Picture of Dorian Gray

Condemned as immoral when it was first published in 1890, Oscar Wilde's tale of the beautiful young man who 'sold himself to the devil for a pretty face' follows the fortunes of Dorian Gray when his prayer for eternal youth as he contemplates his newly finished portrait is answered. Dorian falls under the corrupting influence of Lord Henry Wotton, who urges him to 'be always searching for new sensations', and, relieved of any consequences of his actions, knowing that he will remain untainted while the portrait bears the burden of his excesses, he descends into brutality and even murder. Eventually, haunted by his own decadence and determined to redeem himself, Dorian realises that his only hope lies in destroying the portrait.

‘How sad it is! I shall grow old, and horrible, and dreadful. But this picture will remain always young… 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!… I would give my soul for that!’