Top 3 The Picture of Dorian Gray quotes
“There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all.” Words of the author, found in the preface.
This now-famous paragraph found in the preface to “The Picture of Dorian Gray” is in response to critics who had condemned early versions of the story as being immoral. In the Victorian Era, some objected to the perceived graphic descriptions of various deeds performed by the protagonist.
“If the picture could change, and I could be always what I am now!” Dorian Gray, in Chapter 2
This sets up the mechanism that the story revolves around, as Dorian wishes that the painted likeness could assume the effects of aging, while the living, breathing Dorian Gray could retain his youth indefinitely.
“Nowadays people know the price of everything, and the value of nothing.” Words of Lord Henry Wotten, in Chapter 4.
This now-famous line is frequently recalled. People often cite it as a woeful musing over the blindness of people to see the true worth of meaningful things, a cynical assumption of the human condition. In the book, it specifically refers to Lord Henry’s complaint because he had to spend many hours negotiating— haggling— over the price of a piece of brocade (a rich fabric) that he wished to purchase.
“Lying on the floor was a dead man, in evening dress, with a knife in his heart. He was withered, wrinkled, and loathsome of visage. It was not till they had examined the rings that they recognized who it was.” Narrator’s words, Chapter 20 (final chapter, closing words).
Dorian Gray’s fate has been sealed, as he dies. Those near him did not immediately recognize the elderly, ugly corpse before them, as they’d only known Dorian Gray as a young, handsome man. This withered body was unrecognized, until they saw his jewelry, and the portrait of a youthful, unblemished man, and understood this to be the body of Dorian Gray. The knife in the heart presumably indicates that the author intended to show that the painting represented Dorian’s heart.
