How does Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray compare to Dorian Gray in the 2009 film adaptation and Dorian Gray in Penny Dreadful?

Dorian Gray: a man with a marred mask wrought upon his figure in representation of his heartless and corrupt soul.

The Picture of Dorian Gray is certainly an interesting book with a widely complex concept that helps give the reader a sense of tension and trepidation. Like most Gothic novels, it delves into the human condition and looks at the serious consequences of our actions. The Picture of Dorian Gray is just the same: looking at the decline of Gray's concern for morals whilst his reputation (at least for some time) remains unscathed. After having finished uploading the video I came to realise a few more points of comparison could be brought up, all of which can be found below.

• In the novel, Wilde only really reveals that the painting of Dorian, in its state of degeneration, shows that is has aged horribly and the face, scarred with a look of malice. By the end it is described as being many horrors that one could hardly fathom, which in fact leaves the deterioration of this painting, in majority, down to the imagination of the reader. This is really effective because it allows the reader to attribute their own fears to this painting, making it more personal and terrifying to them alone. 

• In Penny Dreadful, John Logan builds up the suspense by showing Dorian entering the chamber into which he has locked away the painting, without giving the viewer a chance to see the picture for themselves. It isn't until the second season that we see it. In a similar way to Wilde, Logan tried to leave the picture up to the viewer's imagination, just as it was for Reeve when filming said scenes. What's potentially one of the most profound things about Dorian is how when he looked upon the painting (and saw the figure move) he still appeared shocked and slightly fearful of how corrupted his soul was becoming: in response to the many sins committed. Just like the novel, there is a part of Dorian that has consciousness of what his soul has become and while he tries to put on a façade of indifference and coolness, he cannot hide the part of him that torments him most.

^Penny Dreadful Season Two Spoiler

• Another point I'd like to make is how the painting was presented in both the 2009 film adaptation and in Penny Dreadful. In Penny Dreadful, we find Dorian's figure hunched over and chained up as a metaphor for his soul being condemned to hell, thus showing he is shackled to this 'agreement'. Being hunched over, Dorian's soul is burdened by his sins and age which leaves him almost cowering in submission of his master (in theory, the devil). I love the way in which the painting was composed in terms of how he was positioned and to have done so in chains, however I felt slightly disappointed by his visage. At first I thought I hadn't felt fearful of the painting because as a member of a modern society, I have become desensitised to the classically 'scary'. But on watching the film, the picture is far more hideous and unnerving; what makes it so is how the painting literally starts rotting and we see maggots falling from the canvas, eating away at Dorian's soul. This sense of revulsion is intensified further through the breathing sounds which makes us feel all the more disgusted by the picture. 

Left: the painting in Penny Dreadful, Right: the painting in Oliver Parker's 'Dorian Gray'

• Not a comparison point, but it is important all the same; the 19th century was a time when fashion, reputation and saving decorums were of the highest concern, particularly in how the three determined your class and level of importance in society. The Picture of Dorian Gray was published in 1891 (first edition published 1890-in serialised form) when society's attitudes and values were rapidly changing. Those of the upper class were more likely to form façades to hide their beliefs whilst still being able to be seen as one of the gentry, upholding their good reputation. In the novel, Dorian Gray uses his youth as the façade for his sins. As the novel progresses, people start to hear stories of his scandalous acts, however no one can fully denounce him because his beauty and fair nature to all who perceive him, appears innocent and unaffected by life's woes: essentially, no one so fair and innocent in appearance could have committed such 'vile' acts as his. The irony behind it all is that we know he has committed them and so in having his youth mask his corrupt nature, he is able to preserve his dignity and reputation.

• Poignancy. There is something extremely poignant about the story behind The Picture of Dorian Gray, found across all adaptations of Dorian's character, and that is the unending tribulation of immortality. Whilst immortality may seem a thrilling and attractive prospect, after years of living the same sensations, Dorian is not only faced with the longevity of boredom but also the isolating alienation he has towards people in society. This is more evident in Penny Dreadful where we get the impression that Dorian lives to form acquaintances with people who are easily torn from his life by the hand of death while he remains detached from the people around him. When he meets Vanessa, another like-minded character with evils such as his he is beyond measure, overwhelmed to have have found a fascinating pursuit which gives his life meaning. Another way in which we are made to feel pathos for his character is when, in the original story, he is so tormented by the painting that he decides to cast aside all sins and to finally lead a good life. In his attempt to do so, he destroys the painting, thus ending his own life. If there's one thing that is bound to have you feeling empathy for Dorian Gray, it's the powerful ending that Wilde leaves us with.