The novel is set in 18th century London. It is the story of a young English man named Dorian Gray. His friend Basil, a painter, made a beautiful portrait of Dorian which was very similar to reality. Dorian was seduced by speeches on the importance of youth and beauty made by his friend Lord Henry Wottonon. The Lord indulged the young man to live a life of pleasure without any scruples. Dorian was ready to exchange his fate with that of the painting at the cost of losing his soul. He wanted to avoid imperfection and old age. Dorian lived an immoral life without any remorse, keeping his beauty and youth. His portrait, instead, became old and ugly. He hated the portrait because he realized that it was his real image. One day his anguish led him to destroy the canvas with a dagger. Later, the servants found the cadaver of an old ugly man on the floor, while the remains of the painting showed the image of the young Dorian Gray. The portrait and Dorian had been linked.