Dorian Gray is a young man of extreme beauty. His friend, painter, Basil Hallward, is obsessed by it and draws all his inspiration. His fascination with the boy leads him to make a portrait, which turns out to be the finest work he ever created and it does not wish to expose "I put too much of myself." Dorian is going to make the acquaintance of Lord Henry says Harry, a friend of Basil. Aware of the fascination and perversion that it might have on his ideal of beauty, "such simple and beautiful" Basil asks Lord Henry not to attempt to bribe him. But Dorian is seduced by theories of youth and fun of this new friend who reveals himself "A new hedonism [...] You could be the visible symbol. With your personality there is nothing that you can not do. " Therefore be born in him a deep jealousy of her own portrait. Dorian wishes that the painting aging in place so that it always keeps its beauty of youth. "If the picture could change while I remain what I am!"

The boy falls in love with then an actress, Sybil Vane, and promises her marriage. Love to play well to prevent Sybil, Dorian divorce her, "You have spoiled the romance of my life," and thereby cause his suicide. He noticed that the portrait was marked for him an expression of cruelty and understands that his wish was fulfilled. For fear that someone would discover his terrible secret, it locks the table in an old study room and immersed himself in reading a mystery novel offered by Lord Henry. Many years passed during which he accumulated sins and becoming worse under the influence of Lord Henry and the "poisonous book". The table takes upon himself the ugliness of the age and the decline of Gray. Gray finally reveal his secret to Basil, and, mad with hate, kill him.

To forget his guilt, Dorian goes to the slums of London smoke opium. The brother of Sybil Vane, a sailor, recognizes and tries to kill him. Dorian escapes death thanks to his eternal youth: indeed, it seems that twenty years while the events took place eighteen years ago ... The sailor is fooled for a moment and tries to find Gray. He died later accidentally killed by hunters in the home of Dorian.

Dorian, pursued by his evil conscience, decided to become "wise". After his first "good deed", he runs to see if the portrait would not beautified but the canvas is even more than before the features of the vanity and hypocrisy. Desperate, Dorian presses the knife that killed Basil, in the table.

A hideous old man was found dead in front of the painting has regained its original beauty. After reviewing the rings of the deceased, we recognize in him Dorian Gray.

Resume Of the Story

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