fiche de lecture litterature anglaise "the picture of dorian gray"

« the topics dealt with in the book: The novel deals with the theme of beauty, the ephemeral beauty, egocentricity, the youth,narcissism. Dorian Gray is a priceless beauty.

Indeed, at the beginning of the novel, Oscar Wilde presents this character as a metaphor for the youth: beautiful, innocent and manipulated. Lord Henry can be compared to the devil Lucifer because it will awaken the dark side of the hero. We can make a comparison between Dorian Gray and the mythological character, Narcissus.

In fact he was born, the seer Tiresias, who is asked if the child reach a long age, replied: "He will reach if not known.

"There appears to be growing up, of exceptional beauty but of a very proud: it repels many contenders and pretenders in love with him, including the nymph Echo, who casts a curse that one day drinks from a source, he says his reflection in the water and fell in love.

It then remains for many days to contemplate and despair never be able to catch his own image.

He eventually wither and die a passion he can not satisfy. This allows us to make a comparison with the character of Dorian Gray because, listening to Lord Henry, he realizes that the youth is fleeting and that its physical equivalent to perfection.

It too begins to appreciate this beauty, there arises a jealousy towards his portrait and so he will do is hope that the picture endure physical and moral defects while he remains forever equipped with his splendor. Dorian become crazy and kill basil and the picture but we'll find him dead next to a portrait of a gorgeous young man;Dorian has a tragic end just like narcissus. Opinion about Book : I really appreciated this book, the characters are enigmatic and exciting . the story is fascinating, the idea is very original and the author through descriptons very detailed transports us in the XIX century London. In the company of Dorian Gray and Lord Henry we discovered the moeurs of that time: diner worldly , entertainment like opera etc. In my opinion I think this book reflects the society nowadays. the author develops several themes which are always more topical as the fear of old age, the futility, the pursuit of fame and beauty, selfishness etc. Today we have always the same influence with the media, magazines, celebrities ever giving importance to beauty but she is only superficial. Of course the part of fantastic amazed me , confused and put uncomfortable at times ...

This pact of beauty is terrifying and yet, in our time, some people would be willing to do so much!. »