The Comparison of Dorian Gray

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In the book, the Story of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” is about a gentleman who deals his soul for eternal youth, and lives a hedonist lifestyle that goes terribly wrong. Dorian Gray loses his fiancé to suicide, which resulted in his first sin revealing itself in the painting. After Sybil Vane dies, her brother, James seeks revenge on Dorian. Subsequent to that, Dorian goes on to kill his friend, Basil Hallward, the painter of his portrait. In the end, Dorian Gray finally accepts his guilt and tries to atone for his crimes by destroying the painting, which is a representation of his soul. A comparison of the film of Dorian Gray (2009) by Oliver Parker and “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde shows that book and the movie portrayals differ in the details and purpose.
The major difference from the novel and the film has to do with the Vane family. For instance, Sibyl Vane’s death in the film doesn’t have the same impact it has on the novel, for the reason that Dorian doesn’t set off to see her play, instead he arrives late, so there is no anger from being embarrassed. In the book, it shows she is suffering by Dorian’s rejection, which was brutal and made her feel shameful. Thus, a broken heart is the more acceptable reason for suicide than an argument about having babies. Therefore, I don’t recognize how Sibyl can commit suicide in the film for an argument the majority couples have. Sibyl Vane’s death also causes Dorian Gray some problems with her brother in the film and novel. James Vane is seen as a mad man that wants to take the life of Dorian. On the other hand, in the film, James Vane not only knows Dorian, but knows where he lives and goes there to murder him. This plot differs from the novel, because in the novel, Ja...

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...edge his crimes against Lord Henry’s daughter. The ending of the novel and film of Dorian Gray ends with the portrait returning to its original form of the young Dorian.
In conclusion, “The Picture of Dorian Gray” and the film, Dorian Gray (2009) have many differences between the plots, characters and themes. The most significant change in plot is the fight with Dorian Gray and Sibyl Vane, as in the harshness of the fight that ensued to make her commit suicide. I believe that the creation on the Emily Wooten character was done for the purpose to get Dorian Gray to right his wrongs. All in all, Dorian Gray is easily influenced by Lord Henry, but also tries to be a decent person in the end, because of the reminder of the picture of all his sins. With Dorian’s death ends the curse and his wrongdoings are transferred to his body to show how sinful Dorian Gray truly was.

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