The Picture of Dorian Gray - Thug Notes Summary and Analysis 

I wished you had mentioned the fact that even though Lord Henry and Basil were trying to impart morality lessons to Dorian, they themselves didn't follow their philosophies. Lord Henry was a proper Victorian gentleman in his life and Basil had impure desires for Dorian!

As an english student, this is the best thing i have ever found.

"The Picture of Dorian Gray" is the only book I've ever read that, as soon as I finished the last sentence, I went directly to the beginning and re-read it in its entirety. While Thug Notes creates a highly amusing synopsis, it can't begin to shed light on the many fascinating things Lord Henry (really, Oscar Wilde) has to say concerning the sublimity of youth and beauty--all while smoking opium cigarettes.

As a spokes person for the Aesthetics movement, Wilde often said that the job of art is to be beutiful, not to make any kind of statement. Yet, so many of his stories and poems did promote an ethical position. Then again, Wilde wrote a whole one act play about the value of lying, so I suppose he is an unreliable narrator of his own life.

I love your analyses. There is one major thing that I noticed when I read this book that I think you might want to explore more. Harry was always encouraging and almost daring Dorian to explore his darker nature. But, Harry didn't actually live that lifestyle himself. He lived vicariously through Dorian, using him to live out his own fantasies with no consequence to his own reputation or conscience. And I also feel that the idea that we wear our choices in our physical appearance is worth noting. Because of the portrait absorbing the physical consequences of Dorian's choices, Dorian is enabled to continue his scandalous behavior. When someone smokes their whole life, or drinks heavily, or spends too much time in the sun, it is written on their face. You can tell by where wrinkles begin to emerge if someone has furrowed their brows perhaps too much, or spent a lot time smiling. There's actually a whole Chinese medical science dedicated to facial analysis. Anyway, that's just my humble opinion. I know you only have about five minutes and you can't cover it all. Again, I love your videos.

I always interpreted the novel's theme being that: true beauty is only skin deep. It is not defined by your physical attributes but by your actions and how you treat others. For an ugly soul will paint an ugly portrait. That was just my take on it anyways.

the last quote feels like a milton throwback: "The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven"

""Scandalous Shit." I find that so poetic

My friend hates reading. I wanted her to read Crime and Punishment so much. It was Thug Notes that finally convinced her to read that, PLUS Lolita, Dorian Gray, and Slaughterhouse 5. Thank you!

he doesnt blame basil for his image, he rages against basil's call for repentance and prayer for dorian's soul, thats why he kills him

I LOVE the preface to this book by Wilde! "There is no such thing as a moral or immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all...Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors...All art is quite useless"

Nearing the ending of "The Portrait Of Dorian Gray" was creepy.

The themes and motifs in theses books are very interesting. I can see how they are classics.

I've watched about twenty of these videos so far. Purely out of curiosity. Son, you lay this shit down for real. Great synopsis of each literary work, and an even better analysis, and all within 5 minutes. That's some damn talent right there. Subscribed.

This was hilarious. But also, you literally skipped like tons of stuff between when Dorian kills Basil and when he decides he wants to be a good boy/dies lol

Doesn't The Picture of Dorian Gray ask an interesting question of its reader, though? Dorian starts out the purest, kindest, most innocent soul most people could hope to meet. And he never meant to wreck Sybil's life. But then he realized that he could do that and so much more and be untouched. No consequences, no evidence. Not outwardly, anyway. And can anyone really say that they would do differently, given the opportunity? Can anyone say that, if they knew they could, they wouldn't chase after and fulfill every little fantasy and urge that came into their head, no matter how dark? Most people might think they wouldn't, but I'm sure Dorian wouldn't think so, either. And look what happened to him.

This is my favorite novel of all time. Any chance you'll do more of Oscar Wilde? I'd really like to see The Importance of Being Earnest.

Please do, "the importance of being earnest".

You, good sir, have just earned yourself a subscriber.

Holy shit, perfect timing. I literally just finished reading this book

Classic analysis with my cup of morning coffee good as always

Another great synopsis! I agree with another commenter, "A Clockwork Orange" would be a superb subject!

Please do "The Outsiders" by S.E.Hinton

I like how in the analysis he makes the comparison of Henry symbolizing a path of evil whereas Basil is a path of good for Dorian.

I love your style of conveying the basic story line, and analysis thereof, with ironic and humorous intent. I do however agree with some of the others that, despite the time-frame limits, one needs to keep in mind that this is only a basic analysis of the text, for further and deeper analysis be sure to read up on other literary sites and remember to form your own conclusions as well. Awesome presentation ma' mahn!

Why didn't I know about thug notes sooneeeeeeeer?

i believe that your notes are very insightful and what your doing helps a lot of today's youth who use this diction and really helps young people understand the literature in a very helpful way. keep doing what your doing

I only watch the videos for the books I've read so I'm always super excited when one comes out! These videos are always phenomenal!

Ohh shit son, Love me some Oscar Wilde! Keep doing what you do.

I can't 😂.i am starting to watch Penny Dreadful and needed to learn the history of him before I started and I found the page.. You just got a subscriber 😂😂😂😂😂

This saved me having to read the whole book in one day THANK YOUUUU

"A Clockwork Orange" Please!

I dont normally leave comments but this video single handedly brought a new light to my life. thank you for this amazing video

Whoa, guess I need to check out the uncensored text!

Dr. Sweets, I've loved all these little videos you've made for the classics, though I find myself noticing one thing. All these novels are from the Western world. So I'm wondering, is there any chance we'll get to see you take on some other classics around the world? The Chinese classics pop to mind (Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Dream of the Red Chamber, etc.), but I'm betting you could think up some other fun choices.

Catch-22: The funniest book considered "great literature" I have ever read.

'That fool dead' I died at that

as an english AS student ... this is a gold mine

The theme reminds me what sigmund Freud said. We have the ID always wanting pleasure and the superego trying to keep the desires in check but then in the middle we have the ego governing both of them and allowing us to have pleasure but not too much and keep our own impulses under control

you should read The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plathe

I just finished binge watching everything you homies got. (Including 8-bit philosophy). Keep it up guys. Love it

Dorian is a tragic tale. He could have had it all just being his likeable self in the beginning but he doesn't care who he stepped on in the process and went full monster

This actually helped me ace my midterm. Thanks man!

I can’t emphasize how brilliant these videos are. I’m trying to do a similar thing with art history (making it accessible and fun) and i came across this channel as research and I am honestly blown away

i read somwhere that oscar wilde said that the characters in the book represent the image of himself in three different ways dorian is who he wishes he was basil is who he really is and henry is who society thinks he is or something like that (maybe i mixed them up haha) (sorry for bad ennglish its not my first language)

Although, lord, Henry thought that his corrupting of Dorian Gray was harmless to himself. It was not. Dorian Gray cost him his wife, his best friend and his reputation ( although it wasn’t the best in from the start). I think that people started to notice that Lord Henry, was a corrupted force. His association with Dorian Gray cast a light on his character.

So I have a essay due in a few weeks and for some reason I am stuck on how Dorian gray brings self destruction upon himself like this video helped but I need more of a in dept explanation Thanks!

I understand the text is a metaphor for morality,but taken in a literal context if it was me I'd hide the portrait in some place none could find and go be even more hedonist than I am,being young forever and all must be an incredible thing.

My friend introduced me to your channel, I'm so glad he did. By any chance could you Beloved?

I still watch your vids even though you’ve got other projects going. I support your current stuff, but once in a while I come back to these gems. 🧡🧡🧡🧡

This was off the hook man, my favorite book.

I had not heard this book was ever published uncensored. I may need to read it and see the difference. We need some Thug Notes hoodies in the store.

This is one of my favorite books. I've read both the original and uncensored versions, and this video could not be more perfect. Love this series. X)

Could you do "A Clockwork Orange" the original 21 chapter version, not the edited 20 chapter version? I would love to hear your explanations of the novel.

I had hoped you would talk more about why Dorian killed Basil. He wasn´worried about his image, he was sure no one were to believe Basil if he told anyone about the portrait. Dorian killed Basil for some other reason, but I´m not sure what is was exactly. He blamed him for everything bad the portrait brought with it (somehow), and also he was angry at Basil trying to make him own up to everything and be a better person, and also also he just wanted to kill some fools (i think). And mabey he was ashamed too? I don`t know man.

Hands down the only book I've read in school that was good. In fact it is probably my favorite book

Thank you for this video, it really helped with an assignment I had because I understood the book a little better than just reading it. Thanks!

Oh my god this video was made in 2014 and it’s 9 years old now, I’m old af😢

Yes, please. Do the Count of Monte Cristo. My all time favorite.

On behalf of teachers everywhere who want to use these videos: is there any possibility you could do these vids without the cursing? I know my students would find your coverage of the material incredibly engaging.

Great analysis - you're off to a fine start this year !!

The new era of Senioritis. Thank you Thug notes for helping all of us get through high school english

... Jesus christ, I'm learning something! Thanks!

I loved the book when I read it, and I'm really enjoying all the books you're doing and the analysis. it always makes my day to watch a new one!

I hope my local library has this book. nice review!

I don't know that I enjoyed the book, necessarily, but I can't stop thinking about it. It was definitely gripping. Especially toward the end I couldn't put the book down. I wanted so badly for Dorian to be able to change.

Finally! Someone lively discussing The Picture Of Dorian Gray. You’re fun to listen to.🤣

Fantastic analysis on one of my all time favorite stories. I couldn't have said it better. Thank you so much, ThugNotes!!

After watching your videos , I feel that I want to read more and more books 📚. You make any thing look cool and funny 😂.

That is probably the most accurate and most hilarious summary of Dorian Gray I have ever seen. Kudos! Also, why did I not know about Thug Notes sooner?

What I love so much about this book (even though I haven't read it) is how the misdeeds of one person can ruin their entire image, which literally manifests itself as a Portrait of Dorian Gray in the story.

Wow, this story seems so interesting and so complex, I gotta give this a read soon.

I love these so so so much, you teach in an understandable yet highly intellectual way. thank you so much!

This is one of my favorite novels and I thought you did a real cool summary :)

I just started reading the book, this is the best video I’ve ever seen 😂😂😂

I'm currently reading this book. Thanks for the analysis, G

Please please do charles Dickens Oliver's twist!

I fail to understand why anyone wouldn't like this. It's amazing !!

This is great, I've recently read this book and this vid helped me understand a bit more of its moral lesson.

Thank god you made this:) I have my final on this on Thursday

You should do short stories as well! The Lottery, The Yellow Wallpaper, etc.

Best English lesson ever ✋🏽😭teww good

Bro this is the best thing I have ever seen😭❤️Who knew I just needed a hood version of this summary😂😂

Speaking of 19th century novels with gay themes, it would be ballin' if you did 'Carmilla,' Professor Sweets ^_^

I really love this channel I have learned slot from your analysis of the books you present.

How about Gullivers Travels?

I love it. 243 up votes and 0 down. He's gotta have the best ratio on RU-vid!

I came to this because I got to chapter 6 and I am absolutely dreading this book. I know it's a classic but it's so slow. Thank you so much for helping me with this I have a book report due 🙏🏼♥️

"either the wallpaper goes... or I do" rip tupa- i mean oscar... damn

I love that book so much! So, I appreciate the very summarized version of it. :)

“I sent my Soul through the Invisible, Some letter of that After-life to spell: And by and by my Soul return'd to me, And answer'd: 'I Myself am Heav'n and Hell.'”

this book is must read , so don't destroy the fun by seeing this video rather enjoy it after reading the only novel of the Elvis of the 19th century

Thank you Mr Thug you have encouraged my teenage son to look at literature again...you made it cooool for him

Can you do Gulliver's Travels?

Love this channel, you manage to explain the themes well while at the same time being hilarious

Thug Notes is the best. Not only funny but extremely informative and intelligent.

Love me some classics!

2011? I didn’t know this!!!!! Need to reread!

Holy shit I’ve never loved classic literature more

I think Dorian in either heterosexual or bi. He truly loved Sibyl, and his homosexual experiences were either because 1) he's obviously sexually adventurous or 2) he's also attracted to men.