The Picture of Dorian Gray, moral fantasy novel by Irish writer Oscar Wilde, published in an early form in Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine in 1890. The novel, the only one written by Wilde, had six additional chapters when it was released as a book in 1891. An archetypal tale of a young man who purchases eternal youth at the expense of his soul, the work is a romantic exposition of Wilde’s own Aestheticism.

The story begins in the art studio of Basil Hallward, who is discussing a current painting with his witty and amoral friend Lord Henry Wotton. Henry thinks that the painting, a portrait of an extraordinarily beautiful young man, should be displayed, but Basil disagrees, fearing that his obsession with the portrait’s subject, Dorian Gray, can be seen in the work. Dorian then arrives, and he is fascinated as Henry explains his belief that one should live life to the fullest by indulging one’s impulses. Henry also points out that beauty and youth are fleeting, and Dorian declares that he would give his soul if the portrait were to grow old and wrinkled while he remained young and handsome. Basil gives the painting to Dorian.

From: https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Picture-of-Dorian-Gray-novel-by-Wilde. Accessed on 10/15/2025

Pluto– this was the cat’s name– was my favorite pet and playmate. I alone Blank I him, and he attended me wherever I went about the house. It was even with difficulty that I could prevent him from following me through the streets.

Our friendship lasted, in this manner, for several years, during which my general temperament and character– through the instrumentality of the Fiend Intemperance– had (I blush to confess it) experienced a radical alteration for the worse. I Blank II, day by day, more moody, more irritable, more regardless of the feelings of others. I suffered myself to use intemperate language to my wife. At length, I even offered her personal violence. My pets, of course, were made to feel the change in my disposition. I not only neglected, but ill-used them. For Pluto, however, I still retained sufficient regard to restrain me from maltreating him, as I made no scruple of maltreating the rabbits, the monkey, or even the dog, when by accident, or through affection, they came in my way. But my disease grew upon me– for what disease is like Alcohol!– and at length even Pluto, who was now becoming old, and consequently somewhat peevish– even Pluto Blank III to experience the effects of my ill temper.

 From: https://poestories.com/read/blackcat. Accessed on 10/15/2025

Pluto– this was the cat’s name– was my favorite pet and playmate. I alone Blank I him, and he attended me wherever I went about the house. It was even with difficulty that I could prevent him from following me through the streets.

Our friendship lasted, in this manner, for several years, during which my general temperament and character– through the instrumentality of the Fiend Intemperance– had (I blush to confess it) experienced a radical alteration for the worse. I Blank II, day by day, more moody, more irritable, more regardless of the feelings of others. I suffered myself to use intemperate language to my wife. At length, I even offered her personal violence. My pets, of course, were made to feel the change in my disposition. I not only neglected, but ill-used them. For Pluto, however, I still retained sufficient regard to restrain me from maltreating him, as I made no scruple of maltreating the rabbits, the monkey, or even the dog, when by accident, or through affection, they came in my way. But my disease grew upon me– for what disease is like Alcohol!– and at length even Pluto, who was now becoming old, and consequently somewhat peevish– even Pluto Blank III to experience the effects of my ill temper.

 From: https://poestories.com/read/blackcat. Accessed on 10/15/2025

Pluto– this was the cat’s name– was my favorite pet and playmate. I alone Blank I him, and he attended me wherever I went about the house. It was even with difficulty that I could prevent him from following me through the streets.

Our friendship lasted, in this manner, for several years, during which my general temperament and character– through the instrumentality of the Fiend Intemperance– had (I blush to confess it) experienced a radical alteration for the worse. I Blank II, day by day, more moody, more irritable, more regardless of the feelings of others. I suffered myself to use intemperate language to my wife. At length, I even offered her personal violence. My pets, of course, were made to feel the change in my disposition. I not only neglected, but ill-used them. For Pluto, however, I still retained sufficient regard to restrain me from maltreating him, as I made no scruple of maltreating the rabbits, the monkey, or even the dog, when by accident, or through affection, they came in my way. But my disease grew upon me– for what disease is like Alcohol!– and at length even Pluto, who was now becoming old, and consequently somewhat peevish– even Pluto Blank III to experience the effects of my ill temper.

 From: https://poestories.com/read/blackcat. Accessed on 10/15/2025

Pluto– this was the cat’s name– was my favorite pet and playmate. I alone Blank I him, and he attended me wherever I went about the house. It was even with difficulty that I could prevent him from following me through the streets.

Our friendship lasted, in this manner, for several years, during which my general temperament and character– through the instrumentality of the Fiend Intemperance– had (I blush to confess it) experienced a radical alteration for the worse. I Blank II, day by day, more moody, more irritable, more regardless of the feelings of others. I suffered myself to use intemperate language to my wife. At length, I even offered her personal violence. My pets, of course, were made to feel the change in my disposition. I not only neglected, but ill-used them. For Pluto, however, I still retained sufficient regard to restrain me from maltreating him, as I made no scruple of maltreating the rabbits, the monkey, or even the dog, when by accident, or through affection, they came in my way. But my disease grew upon me– for what disease is like Alcohol!– and at length even Pluto, who was now becoming old, and consequently somewhat peevish– even Pluto Blank III to experience the effects of my ill temper.

 From: https://poestories.com/read/blackcat. Accessed on 10/15/2025