The Picture of Dorian Gray

Dorian Gray, a handsome young man, becomes the subject of a portrait by the artist Basil Hallward. Influenced by the hedonistic Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian wishes that he could stay forever young while his portrait bears the marks of age and sin. His wish comes true: Dorian remains physically unchanged, while the portrait grows increasingly grotesque as he pursues a life of vanity, pleasure, and moral corruption. Eventually, tormented by guilt and the horror of what he has become, Dorian attempts to destroy the portrait-only to die himself, with the painting restored to its original beauty.