The Picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wilde

The Picture of Dorian Gray is the story of Basil Hallward who becomes infatuated by Dorian Gray's beauty, and paints a portrait of him. A friend of Basil, Henry Wotton meets Dorian, and the latter becomes enthralled with him and his views about the importance of beauty and sensual fulfilment. Realizing that one day his beauty will fade, Dorian expresses a desire to sell his soul to ensure the portrait Basil has painted would age rather than he. Dorian's wish is fulfilled, and when he subsequently pursues a life of debauchery, the portrait serves as a reminder of the effect each act has upon his soul, with each sin displayed as a disfigurement of his form, or through a sign of aging.