14. Literature. Who wrote about a handsome young man and his portrait that grows older with time while the man himself stays young?
From Quiz Subjects Learned at School
Answer:
Oscar Wilde
'The Picture of Dorian Grey' by Oscar Wilde is a story about vanity, corruption, and the consequences of living without a moral compass. It follows a young man named Dorian Grey who becomes obsessed with staying youthful and beautiful forever. After having his portrait painted, he makes a wish that he could stay young while the portrait aged instead.
To his horror, his wish comes true. While he remains outwardly flawless, the portrait bears the marks of every sin, indulgence, and cruelty he commits. Over time, his pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of responsibility lead him down a self-destructive path.
Finally, he destroys the portrait that has been absorbing all the consequences of his actions, thinking that by doing so, he might free himself, but when he stabs the painting, he becomes a very old man, while the painting returns to its original form.