The picture of Dorian Gray is a story depicting the human soul and the negative implications of narcissism. In addition, it also takes a unique artistic perspective on the importance of preserving “innocence”. First published in 1890 in Lippincott’s monthly magazine it was decried immoral. That being said, The Picture of Dorian Gray was a novel simply ahead of the time it was published. In revising the text the following year, Wilde included a preface, which serves as a useful explanation of his philosophy of art. The purpose of art is to have no purpose. In order to understand this claim fully, one needs to consider the moral climate of Wilde’s time and the Victorian sensibility regarding art and morality. The Victorians believed that art could be used as a tool for social education and moral enlightenment, as illustrated in works by writers such as Charles Dickens. Not too entirely stray from this novel, the preface in itself is truly a masterpiece. I highly recommend this novel to those who have a serious and sincere interest in the arts.