Book 35: Finished.

It really shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that I really loved Wilde's novel about the dark and evil Dorian Gray. In my last post, I talked a lot about the creepiness of the picture, and debate between youth and beauty. Now that I have finished it. I can totally agree with everything I have already said.

The novel discusses, at length, the whole idea of whether it is better to be young and beautiful, or old and wise. I mean, is there really a problem with developed some small wrinkles as you get older? For myself, I have always seen wrinkles as a sign that someone has lived a long and happy life.

I had a friend in college who didn't smile or laugh often because she didn't want smile and laugh lines on her face. Personally, I smile and laugh a lot. That is what makes life so great. I hope when I eventually have grandchildren they can look at my face and say, "Wow, Grandma had a happy life."

Anyway, Dorian Gray doesn't want any of that, so he remains eternally young as his portrait ages. And while I don't necessarily want to wake up with gray hair tomorrow morning, I don't mind hanging onto my youth while I have it. I have been told I have a baby face and people never think I am as old as I am, and I constantly get carded when I go out with my husband, even though he is younger than I am. Again, I am not complaining, but I don't mind getting older.

I can see, especially in today's day and age of plastic surgery and botox, how we can change the way we look as we age. I have seen those women who cannot move their face to show emotion because of the amount of botox in their face. And we have all seen how celebrities bow to the image they are supposed to portray.

These are the kinds of issues I would love to talk to students about, and this novel lends itself perfectly to that discussion. Perhaps one day I'll get the opportunity to teach this. I think it would be fascinating to see how teenagers view Dorian Gray and the world around them.

Book 35: The Picture.

I'll let you know off the bat that I am going to be talking about The Picture of Dorian Gray rather candidly. There are going to be spoilers, but I don't think they will ruin the novel for you. But, if you think they will, I caution you not to read.

This is one of those books that I know I am going to be thinking about long after I shut the back cover. At this point (almost finished), I am haunted by the images and strong writing style. Wilde has created a story that has sucked me in and I'm sorry, I cannot break away.

The premise of this novel is this: Dorian Gray is a young, attractive gentleman. At the beginning of his tale, he is being painted by a friend, Basil. Basil is in love with Gray's beauty and is capturing it on canvas. When he finishes, Dorian, Basil, and their friend Henry all agree it is a beautiful picture-one that captures the beauty and youth of Dorian Gray. In a fit of passion, Dorian says the following:

"How sad it is! I shall grow old, and horrible, and dreadful. It will never be older than this particular day of June...If it were only the other way! If it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! For that-for that-I would give up everything! Yes, there is nothing in the whole world I would not give! I would give my soul for that!" (27-28).

Of course, Dorian gets his wish. As each day passes, he remains the same as what the picture initially captured: beautiful, young. However, as he begins to be corrupted by his vanity and the adoration of the people around him, the picture begins to change. It turns old and disgusting. The face shows the horror of Dorian's soul and reflects the person he really is. And as Dorian grows older, and older, and doesn't change, he becomes more and more evil and disturbing. People around him disappear and even die. He does things that will damn him, but never feels the effects of it. Instead, he locks the portrait away in a room, so that no one but he will see the monster he really is.

What interesting social commentary.

What I would give to teach this novel. It speaks a lot to the idea of the price of beauty. Here, a young man sold his soul to have eternal youth and beauty. His beauty corrupts him and turns him into the complete opposite of what he stands for. That is often why we say that true beauty lies within.

I think many teens would benefit from reading this book at some point-as a way to show them yet again that beauty and good looks are not everything. You must also be a good person to have friends around you, and to be successful. And while I haven't finished it just yet, I can't imagine the ended to be anything other than what I imagine it to be...Dorian's demise because of his selfish and vain behavior.

But we shall see...

Book 35: Oscar Wilde and The Picture of Dorian Gray.

One of the things that I love about this challenge is that I am also getting the opportunity to learn more about the authors I am reading. A main goal when I decided to do this was to also research the lives of the people who's work I was reading. Many of the things I have found out are things I already knew, but I still get surprised.

I think it is important for readers to know about the lives of the authors they are reading, especially for classics and older books. There is a reason why these books have made lasting impressions on generations and it will serve us all well to remember that. In many cases, the story surrounding a classic novel is just as memorable and wonderful as the novel itself.

Now, stepping off my soapbox, I want to talk a little about Oscar Wilde. Truth be told, I don't know a whole lot about him, but the things I have learned researching him are truly fascinating.

Oscar Wilde was well-known for his social satires and his position on a lot of issues. In particular, he was very adamant about the importance of art on life. For Wilde, art could help us learn to live our lives in a better way. I agree with him. Since undertaking this mission, I have learned a lot from these author mentors. Their art is their writing, and from their words I have learned a great deal about life, love, and the people I encounter.

More interesting is Wilde's personal life. While he was married with children, Wilde was well-known for being with men. In fact, that subject comes up in many of his plays, and is hinted at in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Back then it was much more of a scandal than it is today, and caused some awkward situations publicly.

Wilde was also imprisoned for some time, as well as being involved in a few different court cases. The details are fuzzy to me, but I think that kind of past only makes him more intriguing. No wonder he is as well-known as he is.

I believe that the publicity of his private life made him even more famous than he was to begin with. We are all fascinated by the things celebrities do and say in today's world. Some of the things that hit the news are shocking and hard to believe and the world is simply in awe. I can imagine that Oscar Wilde's affairs were similar way back then.

He is truly a fascinating man and I would love to pick up a biography in the future to learn more.

Anyway, off to read and see how his personal life influences his art, and how that, in turn, influences me.

Book 35: Book Stats.

Title: The Picture of Dorian Gray
Author: Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
First Published: Serialized in 1890; Published in book form 1891

My Edition: Penguin Classics Hardcover (the edition pictured at left. I am obsessed with these editions!)
Pages: 253

Other Works Include: The Happy Prince and Other Stories (1888), House of Pomegranates (1891), A Woman of No Importance (1893), The Importance of Being Earnest (1898)

Oscar Wilde is mostly known for his plays, essays, and social satires. He is probably one of the more famous playwrights of his era.

The Picture of Dorian Gray is his only published novel.

I have read quite a few of Wilde's essays and stories. I also had the privileged of seeing The Importance of Being Earnest in college performed by a theater group. I have never read his only novel, but I can only imagine that I am in for a huge treat. This will be the only piece I read by Oscar Wilde for my challenge.

Sunday Salon: March 28, 2010.

This was definitely a more calm week than last week. I would say that it was needed!

The weather changes have really been bothering me. I am susceptible to migraines, and I have had quite a few this week. With fronts coming in, the temperature changing, my head has been pounding almost all week.

I am glad to say that starting tomorrow I got back to full time hours working at the park and my supervisor pay! Matt and I are really looking forward to me working more and I can't wait to have more time to be out of the house and doing something. I love working at the park!

Unfortunately, no sub jobs for this week. I rarely saw anything posted and when I did, it was something I am not qualified to sub in (special education resource rooms).

There are rumors circulating in Michigan that there is a bill in question forcing many teachers of retiring age to retire, or they will be forced to start paying their own benefits. As an unemployed educator, I'm not sure what to think about this. There are a LARGE number of retired-age teachers still working, so having those jobs open would mean great things for the thousands of people in my situation! But, I don't know if this bill is the right way to do that. Who knows!

In reading news this week, I had another great week. I managed to get through a Holmes novel and Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. Woolf always takes a little more concentration than I think it will, but it is always worth it. I even went to the library to check some things out and get small paperback copies of each of the Holmes novels. I have rheumatoid arthritis and my big, hardcover edition of the complete Holmes stories and novels is too heavy to hold up. Unfortunately, my library is lacking in the individual novels. All they have are the big compilations which doesn't help my situation. I did find a large print edition of A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of Four. I read A Study in Scarlet out of it and the huge letters actually made my eyes go a little batty. All of the other novels and story collections I am trying to get through inter-library loan. We'll see how that goes.

I also made some big changes here on the blog. After an e-mail from blogger letting me know they were revising some templates and editing options, I decided to take advantage of their new 3-column look with a total blog makeover that is completely different from what I had (hopefully you noticed). It makes things easier for me since I don't have to scroll way down to see some vital pieces of information. I also think the template is little more custom to my blog-the whole "odyssey" theme. I am loving it, but expect to see a few small tweaks and changes as I get used to it.

I also added another page at the top. I have been getting a lot of e-mails recently with questions about my blog, so I figured I should answer them. Rather than have one big post, I thought it would be easier to have an easily seen page with the answers. Feel free to check it out!


This coming week I am hoping to get through another Sherlock Holmes novel, as well as The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. I am also hoping to start one of the 2 Dumas novels I am reading for my stop on the Classics Circuit. My giveaway for two signed, hardcover copies of Carrie Ryan's books ends Thursday at midnight.

I am hoping for another good reading week, so keep your fingers crossed!

Happy reading everyone!