The Picture of Dorian Gray, is my favorite novel of all time.  Oscar Wilde single handedly changed my view of the world.  The novel describes the life of a handsome young man, Dorian Gray, who lives his life selfishly and hedonistically with no regard for conventional morality.  Dorian curses a portrait of himself because it would never portray the burdens of time and offers his soul if the portrait could age instead of him.  Miraculously, his wish comes to fruition and he is able to keep his Adonis-like looks, while his portrait, which is his conscience, wizens both as a result of the passage of time and the heinous behaviors in which Dorian engages.  In essence, Dorian is provided a front row seat to view his conscience.  After committing many unspeakable horrors, Dorian shows no remorse and continues to flourish.  Finally, Dorian can no longer bear to see what his portrait has become and tries to destroy the picture.  I will not tell you what happens, because I highly recommend that everyone read this novel.

This novel is a reminder of the depths that people reach when they shed their moral compass, and that is the reason this novel changed my view of the world.  What is unique about Dorian Gray is that his conscience is physically detached from his body.

I thought of Dorian Gray when we began discussing Don Giovanni.  Don Giovanni and Dorian Gray have similar characteristics.  Both take what they want with no regard for other people or things.  In addition, it appears as if Don Giovanni has no conscience, or at least does not listen to it.  I do not know what happens with Don Giovanni (I want to be surprised when we go see it), but if it is anything like the novel, he will have to wrestle with himself over the awful acts he has committed.  I am excited to see Don Giovanni after comparing the two characters.