Topic > The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - 496

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar WildeIn the book The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, there is a character called Lord Henry Wotton. He is the antagonist of the story and who critics often think is most like Oscar Wilde. Wilde observes: "Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks of me: Dorian what I would like to be, perhaps in other ages." In the preface of The Picture of Dorian Gray are the lines "Those who go under the symbol do so at their own peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their own peril." From Wilde's statement, we can assume that there is a part of Wilde represented in each of the main characters, but how they represent him is up to the reader to decide. According to Wilde's statement, he believes that Basil Hallward represents him best. “Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are cultured.” Both Wilde and Basil are artists who like to explore all forms of beauty. Every portrait painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the subject. The babysitter is simply the accident, th...