The Picture of Dorian Gray: actually way gayer than I was expecting?? (MILD SPOILERS BUT THE BOOK WAS WRITTEN IN THE 1800'S SO WHO CARES)

NOTE: I'M ONLY LIKE HALFWAY THROUGH BUT LIKE THESE ARE JUST MY OPINIONS SO FAR LMAO

ok so for this it's important for you to recognise that I went in BLIND. Like I wanted to get into classics, and my teacher mentioned it a while back and I thought I may as well read it cause she said it was good.

Did nawt go into it looking for queercoding, but I do kind of just notice it?? though after some research into Wilde, plus some revision of the footnotes (which contained what the lines were meant to be but got changed by the editors, which by the way, EVEN MORE QUEER) yeah no it was DEFINITELY intentional.

as a Good Omens fan as well I can now fully understand why the crackship of Oscar Wilde and Aziraphale exists. 

Also like once I finish the book I will actually write out a full review thats actually, yk, good, but like I feel the need to record my thoughts so far. I've reached just past the point where Lord Henry gives Dorian some mysterious books (of sin, I'm guessing. scandalous lmao)/

Aight so, here's my summary of the characters so far:

Dorian Gray: our token twink, who Wilde describes as extremely handsome on multiple occasions, really emphasizing his beauty (Wilde is like, clearly a romantic as seen throughout this, and I like to think that there was a reference for Dorian somewhere out there, even if there isn't proof). Also like, really fucking brutal so far, apparently due to Lord Henry's influence, which is reflected in his painting, hence the title (it does come across like he's trying to impress Harry (alternate name for Lord Henry used throughout the book), at least at the start when he's deemed more innocent, but I still like to think that he had his own greed built within him. Like it was a long time coming, and Henry really only pushed it along). I also do think that Dorian, at least at the start of the book, does have a bit of a crush on Lord Henry, which our next character is really jealous of. This does fade, though, as reflected by lines later in the book.

Basil Hallward: Our painter, who became infatuated with Dorian after seeing it. Like the descriptions this man gives for Dorian, the jealousy he proclaims he has for anyone who so much as talks to Dorian, like damn this man was in love. He does confess in the middle of the book (about as close to a love confession a book in the late 1800's could get from one man to another), but Dorian doesn't return his feelings. Which like, guys, tragic unrequited romance?? I LIVE FOR THIS WHAT-

no like he's one of my favourites, like kind of toxic sure but it's played as extremely romantic.

Lord Henry: as mentioned, very much an influence on Dorian. not much at the moment really needs to be said, except like, he's extremely sexist?? and that probably reflects back onto Dorian as a result. A product of the time, sure, but he is clearly a massive woman hater. Also, with like the long monologues with a shit tonne of metaphors, I think he was kind of meant to be a reflection on the author. Oscar was probably a total emo let's be fucking fr

Sybil Vane: Dorian's first clear love, an actress. She's sweet and all, but clearly a product of the time in terms of writing women. Like mf literally kills herself over a man breaking up with her fr 😔

So like the relationship plotlines kind of go like this (so far)

Basil </3 Dorian (unrequited)

Dorian </3 Lord Henry (temporary mutual interest, nothing happening tho)

Dorian </3 Sybil (breakup after a bad performance, sybil fucking dies)

Dorian <3 his painting ("haha fucking loser imagine aging" at the same time as, "this is an interesting reflection on how my soul has been scarred by my actions")

yeah no it's pretty fucking gay Wilde totally lived for the drama

shoutout the definite gay and lesbian club at the start of the novel

full review coming soon (maybe, eventually)