With an Introduction and Notes by John M.L. Drew, University of Buckingham.

In Oscar Wilde’s famous novel, Dorian Gray is tempted by Henry Wotton to sell his soul in order to hold on to beauty and youth. Dorian succumbs and murders the portrait painter Basil Haliward, who stands between him and his goal. Though in the end vice is punished and virtue rewarded, the novel remains one of the most important expressions of fin de siècle decadence. It is in the preface to the expanded edition of The Picture of Dorian Gray that Wilde coined the most famous expression of his aesthetic: “There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well-written or badly-written. That is all.” Like other Broadview Editions, this edition includes a wide range of materials from the period that help to set the text in context. In particular, the editor locates the text both in relation to elements in the mainstream culture of the day (such as the aesthetes); and in relation to the gay subculture.

A selection of the author's work is enhanced by an introduction, a chronology of the author's life and work, a timeline of significant events, discussion questions, critical analysis, and explanatory notes.

This Prestwick House Literary Touchstone Edition? includes a glossary and reader?s notes to help the modern reader contend with Wilde?s many allusions and his complex approach to the human condition.Oscar Wilde?s only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, first appeared in 1891. Dorian Gray, a handsome young man, falls in with a group of ?friends,? whose amoral philosophies he finds quite appealing. After he has his portrait painted, his frivolity and general demeanor degenerate into wickedness, but only the portrait bears the effects of his descent into decadence and serves as a powerful symbol of Gray?s internal ruin. Dorian himself, however, remains as young and unspoiled as the day he first sat for the painting. Wilde?s exploration of life without limits or consequences shocked its late-Victorian audience and remains highly un-settling to modern readers. We, like Dorian, are forced to reconsider whether total freedom and absolute knowledge are really worth their costs.

A disturbing tale of a young man's uncanny ability to remain young and beautiful while descending into a life of heartless debauchery. A Picture of Dorian Gray, the scandalous 1891 bestseller, was considered proof of Wilde's genius, but also of his perversion: a damning piece of evidence used against him in the trial that brought about his downfall.

Discover Oscar Wilde's classic tale of double lives and corruption in this graphic retelling for kids. In the halls of London's high society, dark rumors surround a man called Dorian Gray. His ever-youthful appearance paired with a wild, decadent lifestyle arouses curiosity. Some even say his attic hides a dangerous, monstrous secret. A secret hidden in a simple portrait painted a long time ago . . . With extra background on the original novel and its author, plus discussion questions and writing prompts, it's easy to introduce young readers to this literary classic.

A Study Guide for Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray," excerpted from Gale's acclaimed Novels for Students. This concise study guide includes plot summary; character analysis; author biography; study questions; historical context; suggestions for further reading; and much more. For any literature project, trust Novels for Students for all of your research needs.

Written in an easy-to-read, accessible style by teachers with years of classroom experience, Masterwork Studies are guides to the literary works most frequently studied in high school. Presenting ideas that spark imaginations, these books help students to gain background knowledge on great literature useful for papers and exams. The goal of each study is to encourage creative thinking by presenting engaging information about each work and its author. This approach allows students to arrive at sound analyses of their own, based on in-depth studies of popular literature.Each volume: -- Illuminates themes and concepts of a classic text-- Uses clear, conversational language-- Is an accessible, manageable length from 140 to 170 pages-- Includes a chronology of the author's life and era-- Provides an overview of the historical context-- Offers a summary of its critical reception-- Lists primary and secondary sources and index Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.