The Portrait of Dorian Gray

"The Portrait of Dorian Gray" is one of those books I would have sworn that I'd read in high school. I knew the outlines of the story so well that it was unthinkable that I hadn't read it. So when I wanted a book to test out iBooks, I decided to read it. It was free and I figured I could concentrate on the experience of reading on the iPad and not the book.
It turns out that I had never actually read the book. I had the outlines of the story down, but the specifics were strange to me. On the surface it is a pretty lame story. Not much actually happens. It is easy to see why movie makers often attempt to make it more fantastic and adventurous.
It is easy to see why they often fail to make it into a good movie. As with many books, the real value is in the text not the plot. I found the discussions of art, philosophy, and morals to be the meat of the book.
Dorian is not simply vain. He is a hedonist. He falls prey to Sir Henry's treatise that art and life is all about experience. Reflection and morality are for philistines. One shouldn't dwell on the outcomes.
The portrait, which was created out of a deep emotional connection between artist and subject, allows Dorian to lead a perfectly hedonistic life. He does not suffer the ill effects of experiencing life to it's fullest. He does not need to care about the effects he has on others. It just rolls off of him like a water off of a duck. The portrait absorbs the cost.
The author's position on hedonism is clearly negative. Dorian, while making the most of his fortune, is clearly disturbed by what he has become. He is both enthralled and repelled by hedonism. Sadly, he is trapped by it.
There is some truth to the philosophy that one should not dwell to much on what has passed and on what my be. One should focus on the present and he experience of the now. The Buddha is regarded as one of the wisest men. The difference is that hedonism also disavows being concerned with the plight of others. Dorian destroys people without regard as he lives his life in the present. The Buddha was careful to consider the suffering of others and worked to relieve it.
The path of living in the present must be tempered with concern for your effects on the world around you. Experience life without desire or regret, but also don't increase the suffering of others. Karma is a bitch.