The Picture of Dorian Gray
by Taylor Crumpton
Differences between the novel and the film
P-L-O-T! What does that spell? PLOT!
And So it Begins...
- Lord Henry is admiring Basil's painting of a young man and wishes to show that painting even though Basil refuses
- The young man Dorian Gray comes over to visit Basil and finds Lord Henry's ideology about living for one person's pleasure intriguing
- Henry jokes about how Gray's looks won't last forever in response Gray vows that he stays as young as his painting and starts a friendship with Henry despite Basil's warnings
- Henry curious about Gray learns about Gray's upbringing from his uncle
- Gray comes over to Henry's house to him he has fallen in love with the actress Sibyl
IN THE FILM
- Dorian Gray comes to London to inherit his abusive grandfather's estate
- Lord Henry takes Gray under his wing and after seeing a picture of him commissioned by Basil; Gray pledges that he wants to stay young forever
- Henry takes Gray to see a play which results in Gray falling in love with the actress Sibyl
Sibyl Vane
In the novel Gray breaks off the engagement with her because after he sees her act terribly. He realizes that he was in love with her acting and not her as a person which pushes her to suicide. In the film he breaks off the engagement because Lord Henry tells him children are the end and because the engagement is over. She drowns herself which results in the death of her and her unborn child.
Jim Vane
In the novel he never approves of Gray and warns his sister and mother about Gray and after hearing about his sister's death. He pledges to kill Gray but ends up dying by a hunting party that Gray was a part of. In the film Jim disapproves of Gray and dies by a train chasing Gray down the London underground.
Lord Henry
In the novel Henry seduces Gray into his lifestyle and is a contributing factor into Gray's downfall into madness. In the film Henry seduces and supports Gray downfall into darkness until Gray falls in love with his daughter. In response Henry kidnapped his daughter away from Gray manner and threw a lantern at Gray's painting.
Why do this differences matter?
This matter because?
Without including these important details such as the original plot of the novel the film isn't The Picture of Dorian Gray. Just film that borrows minor details from the novel.