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As 'Dorian Gray' ages, its relevance only grows

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Re: As 'Dorian Gray' ages, its relevance only grows

#11

Post by inglor_cz »

mitthrowaway2 wrote: post #4

Interesting. When I first read the Picture of Dorian Gray, I had no idea of its social context -- I didn't know Oscar Wilde was gay, I didn't know the book was considered controversial. I just picked it up on a whim and thought it was a well-written book full of fantastically clever dialogue and over-the-top cynicism. But I was, ironically, left with an impression that the Victorian era was more comfortable with male…

The fates of Wilde and Turing are two big black stains on the history of the UK (not the only ones, of course).

Turing even more, as by 1950, the society was much less religious overall and there was less reason to keep homosexuality illegal.

Re: As 'Dorian Gray' ages, its relevance only grows

#14

Post by vlovich123 »

inglor_cz wrote: post #11
mitthrowaway2 wrote: post #4

Interesting. When I first read the Picture of Dorian Gray, I had no idea of its social context -- I didn't know Oscar Wilde was gay, I didn't know the book was considered controversial. I just picked it up on a whim and thought it was a well-written book full of fantastically clever dialogue and over-the-top cynicism. But I was, ironically, left with an impression that the Victorian era was more comfortable with male…

The fates of Wilde and Turing are two big black stains on the history of the UK (not the only ones, of course). Turing even more, as by 1950, the society was much less religious overall and there was less reason to keep homosexuality illegal.

I think you meant to say their treatment was two big black stains. A bit awkwardly worded implying the men themselves were the stains.

Re: As 'Dorian Gray' ages, its relevance only grows

#16

Post by inglor_cz »

vlovich123 wrote: post #14
inglor_cz wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The fates of Wilde and Turing are two big black stains on the history of the UK (not the only ones, of course). Turing even more, as by 1950, the society was much less religious overall and there was less reason to keep homosexuality illegal.

I think you meant to say their treatment was two big black stains. A bit awkwardly worded implying the men themselves were the stains.

Thanks. I fixed that. I am not a native speaker and I sometimes fall into such traps, but this I could have seen.

Re: As 'Dorian Gray' ages, its relevance only grows

#17

Post by inglor_cz »

baxtr wrote: post #12
jorl17 wrote: post #10

I'd place it 5th in my overall favorite books list. It is certainly one which has influenced me deeply and continues to do so, ever since I first read it 13 years ago.

Now everyone including me wants to know your top 4!

I concur. Give us your list, GP :-)

Re: As 'Dorian Gray' ages, its relevance only grows

#19

Post by wolfi1 »

mitthrowaway2 wrote: post #4

Interesting. When I first read the Picture of Dorian Gray, I had no idea of its social context -- I didn't know Oscar Wilde was gay, I didn't know the book was considered controversial. I just picked it up on a whim and thought it was a well-written book full of fantastically clever dialogue and over-the-top cynicism. But I was, ironically, left with an impression that the Victorian era was more comfortable with male…

I always wondered what trait was left on the picture when Dorian Gray considered converting to Catholicism
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