In this story by Oscar Wilde, a young and handsome man named Dorian Gray has his portrait painted by the renowned artist, Basil Hallward. The portrait captures the soul of Dorian Gray in all its innocence and purity of heart. It is the artist's masterpiece. On the day that the picture is finished, Lord Henry Wotton, a famous wit who enjoys scandalizing his friends by celebrating youth, beauty, and the selfish pursuit of pleasure, pays Basil a visit and meets Dorian Gray. Lord Henry impresses Dorian Gray with his sophistication and frightens him with a speech about the transient nature of youth and beauty. Dorian curses his portrait, which will one day remind him of the youth and looks he will have lost. He would give his soul if only the picture were to grow old, and he would remain young. His prayer is answered. He lives a life of debauchery, hedonism, and selfishness. He remains young and beautiful. But with each evil act, his picture becomes uglier and uglier. He hides it in the attic. Years pass. Basil Hallward visits Dorian, believing the rumors he's heard must be wrong. Dorian shows him the picture in the attic. Hallward is shocked and tells Dorian he is even worse than people realize.
In a sudden rage Dorian stabs Hallward to death and blackmails a former friend into disposing of the body. But the picture haunts Dorian. It is a picture of his soul, recording every crime he ever committed. He cannot live knowing it is always there, proclaiming his guilt. He decides to destroy it. Can you guess what happens when he does?
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