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The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Published: 1890 Basil Hallward sees Dorian Gray as his true inspiration as a painter, and the story begins with him finishing a portrait of the young man. During this same afternoon, Basil introduces Dorian to his friend Henry Wotton, a true dandy who swears by a hedonistic lifestyle, wherein the only real pursuits in life should be feeding the senses. Dorian is young and incredibly pliable, and Henry convinces him that beauty is what matters in life and to cherish what he has while he has it. Always! That is a dreadful word. It makes me shudder when I hear it. Women…
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All Art is Quite Useless
When The Picture of Dorian Gray was first published, it was attacked for apparently lacking a moral message. Oscar Wilde added this preface to the second edition of the book. The artist is the creator of beautiful things. To reveal art and conceal the artist is art’s aim. The critic is he who can translate into another manner or a new material his impression of beautiful things. The highest as the lowest form of criticism is a mode of autobiography. Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. This is a fault. Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these…