The article references the Vietnamese version (Book Review Contest) – University of Foreign Languages - Hanoi National University
Booksology The University of Foreign Languages - Hanoi National University is launching a contest to introduce foreign literature reference books for students. The school respectfully sends to you an introductory article referencing the Vietnamese version of the book “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by author Oscar Wilde with a translation by Ms. Van Thi Thanh Binh (Faculty of Agriculture and Culture CNNTA).
Portrait of Dorian Gray
Author: Oscar Wilde
The old adage “Be careful what you wish for” has never so accurately described the inner workings of a work of literature. A young Victorian named Dorian Gray believed Sir Henry Wotton’s warnings that he would have only “a few years to live truly, perfectly, and fully” because his fleeting youth would soon fade, and then uttered a wish that his portrait would age in his stead.
Dorian had no idea that he was about to embark on a dark path of depravity, doing one depraved deed after another, ruining the relationships of those he met, and destroying his own reputation.
Although there is no trace of 19th century high society left in today’s society, the similarities make a strong impression on readers. For example, Dorian’s curse due to his obsession with self-image is no different from today’s youth measuring their own attractiveness by the number of people who “like” their profile picture. Just as Dorian wanted to climb the social ladder by attending fancy dinner parties and making friends with the upper classes, many people today also look at the ‘grand’ parties a person is invited to to judge whether they are popular or not. Revolving around the decadence and cost of Dorian Gray, this classic work conveys the message of a moral lesson. Dorian disregarded the hurts of others, such as that of actress Sylbil Vane, to satisfy his own superficial pleasures. It is an example of a decadent lifestyle that the author advises us not to imitate.
Translated from the original by The Guardian
