The Picture of Dorian Gray is a classic novel by Oscar Wilde first published in 1890. The novel tells the story of Dorian Gray, a handsome, wealthy young man living in Victorian England. Dorian becomes infatuated with his own beauty and when he is given a magical painting of himself, he wishes that the portrait could grow old and he can remain forever young. His wish is granted and the painting starts to show the true impact of Dorian’s debauched lifestyle while the man himself remains as young and as handsome as ever. The novel explores themes of beauty, morality and morality, as Dorian’s life becomes increasingly immoral and selfish, played out in the painting’s gradual deterioration. With the help of the cunning and manipulative Lord Henry, Dorian’s descent into a life of decadence and darkness is juxtaposed with the portrait, which is the visible representation of his inner degradation. The painting eventually comes to symbolize the struggle between inner and outward beauty, as the ugly image of Dorians true character hides behind a façade of youth and innocence. The novel also tackles other themes such as the power of art and the consequences of one’s choices in life. It is considered a landmark work in the history of literature and can be read from a contemporary perspective as a portrayal of repressed Victorian morality and the dangers of unbridled vanity.