justastrugglinghotchocolate

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

@justastrugglinghotchocolate punk 80s henry lives in my brain now

#rb #not my art #stealing part of this idea #it gives me an excuse to draw henry in 80s fashion (during his songwriter era omg) #good good art #why are we always on the same wavelength when it comes to this pathetic lil guy lmao

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

I see your "Henry Wotton is a Redditor Incel" take, and I raise you "Henry Wotton is a Victorian Manic Pixie Dream Girl"

Think about it. Everyone agrees he's weird but can't help but be fascinated with him. He has a whimsical philosophy on life. He makes life that much more interesting for Dorian. He's not like other girls---he's not even like other men. He listens to old classical music and reads books, not the papers like the vapid other people.

All he needs now is a bright hair color.

#the picture of dorian gray #henry wotton #henry positivity and negativity has gone to far. I now side with henry neutrality. #this man is not an extremist on either side #he's just tryna be a bit quirky lol #manic pixie dream girl #okay I am done now

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

Honestly thinking about how henry getting a parrot after victoria leaves him is so pathetic man core

You say that as if everything Henry does isn't pathetic-man core

#maybe it's time to accept it: #Henry Wotton is not some slick sleazy devilish dude #He's not some great corruptive force. #He's just *pathetic* #(affectionate) #(with a hint of salt) #ask answered #thanks for making me laugh tonight XD

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

This started as a perspective/anatomy practice (it-- it was procrastination--I am procrastinating my life rn) and then evolved because, as said before, this au will not leave my head (i’m sure it’s just a passing fancy lol). So here’s a few more things.

This was Henry’s first big controversial moment in his career, his ‘iconic moment in pop culture’. From his outfit (the first one Basil was in charge of styling/designing for him) to his pose and the fact his fly is just intentionally fully open (he knew who his fans were and what they wanted), this all cemented his provocative reputation. Also it was the 70s, people were looking for anything to call controversy. After that performance, Basil became Henry’s main stylist (despite just wanting to paint a portrait of him lmao).

Henry, despite claiming to be (and certainly trying to present as) punk rock star, always had more of a natural proclivity to the rock star part. No one considers him punk, even with how much star power he has. Him being the second son to a lord and also rich just confirmed he wasn't for everyone who was actually punk.  At most, he’d pull shit like the above and then people would kind of see why he thought himself punk. He even had to learn how to do a London accent because he naturally speaks in RP, aka he sounds like a rich man. 

tldr: Henry is a complete poser.

The outfit used references from this one picture of the Sex Pistols and these two Vivienne Westwood pieces. All referenced images and my reasonings for choosing them (because I like to yap and yall can’t stop me) will be under the cut.

The Sex Pistols were one of the 'faces' of 70s punk (go listen to some of their music---it's good!) and their style felt like something Henry would imitate. I wish I could tell you more about them, but admittedly, I just started listening to them last year. (i, like henry, am a poser, i'm so sorry/lh). Anyways that top was fun to draw!

These are the two references by Vivienne Westwood (Dress [right], Shirt [left]). I took the ruffled part of Dress to add to the top Henry wears because, keeping with the idea that Henry is being dressed/styled by Basil, Basil probably leaned into Romantic influences, while trying to match the punk vibes Henry wanted. The little leg strap in Shirt became the weird edgy straps Henry has on his wrists. On my end, that was just for vibes lol.

The Vivienne Westwood items can be found on the Metropolitan Museum of Arts website :)

#the picture of dorian gray #80s rock au ig #this is more 70s tbh #henry wotton #henry wotton should be a poser in every iteration #art #my art #references used are below cut

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

I'm a Dorian simp now. There's nothing sexier than being homo-cidal and some good ol self worship.

Understandable! Self care can indeed be a wonderful thing :)

Really sorry for the late response, this didn't show up in my inbox until now 😓

#ask answered #thanks for the ask!

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

HELLO i have just discovered your work and it is SOOO good. amazing. fantastic. wonderful! makes me very happy! I just wanted you to know :D

Oh wow, thank you so much!

I am so sorry for the late response!! I have no idea why, but this just showed up in my inbox today. But, again, thank you-- I really appreciate this :3

#ask answered #thank you! #tumblr why did you hide these asks for the entirety of last year?

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

Other Dynamics between Henry and Dorian which I would love to see more:

(No hate intended for anyone who disagrees or likes a different dynamic! This is just my own opinion lol)

Accidental Brotherly Affection from Henry’s End—Yall Henry is an older brother. You bet your ass he roughly ruffles Dorian’s hair out of nowhere or gives him *the stare* when he wears a subpar outfit or bullies him relentlessly before turning around and threatening someone else who decided to join in. Can you imagine how funny it is when viewed from Dorian’s end? Dorian, who grew up alone and neglected, suddenly getting the full sibling treatment and not knowing how to respond? It’s comedic gold. Bonus points if Henry has no idea he’s doing it too.

Rivalry— This is one I’d especially love to see in the “Dorian was already bad” interpretations. Imagine Henry meeting his match in the person he set out to ruin. Especially if their dynamic is push and pull of Dorian quietly learning what he can before setting it loose on Henry? Sure, it’s not super one to one with the book but neither is Basil being a cat person, lmao—Give me a more openly villainous Dorian, especially towards Dorian.

Rivalry (one-sided)— For Henry, this would be a lot of passive aggression that goes over Dorian’s head. You can do a more villainous/cruel Henry with this one, where he is constantly hurting Dorian who keeps excusing it because he is too attached to let go (could even explore Dorian’s past abusive relationship with his grandfather and the cycle of abuse and such). So if you like Dorian Whump, this is for you.

For Dorian, this would be Olivia Rodrigo’s Obsessed. Dorian would constantly feel undermined and inferior to Henry especially where Basil is involved. Dorian is constantly struggling between discovering himself or simply imitating Henry instead. It's a mix of admiration, envy, desire and irritation. It also could be a very fun way to explore Dorian’s character.

#the picture of dorian gray #dorian gray #henry wotton #i just want more diversity in their relationship beyond “oh they fucking” #I am okay with that dynamic and by no means is this a condemnation of it---I just want to see other stuff too lol #especially the sibling one--yall we need to take advantage Henry's canonical four (at least) other siblings more in this fandom lol

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

Yall the 80s rock au has not left my brain so here’s some random ideas:

Dorian is a rising pop star (possibly even moving away from being a child star) who meets Basil in the same way he does in the book. Basil paints him and then introduces him to Henry. The only difference is that Basil does this out of the belief that Henry might be able to talk Dorian out of becoming a full pop star. Obviously, that doesn't happen. Henry becomes Dorian's producer/songwriter while also taking on a more mentor-like figure for Dorian. A lot of the songs Henry has Dorian perform are much more provocative and explicit than what Dorian used to do. 

Basil is still an artist, just with a small expansion from portrait painting. He still does that, but now he also doubles as sort of a talent scout/Henry’s designer/muse (he doesn’t know, but all of Henry’s songs are complaints about/odes to him and their relationship).

Henry was specifically a punk rock star in the 70s, in lieu of the Sex Pistols and the Clash. Henry was popular because he was controversial, charismatic, and pretty, all things that captured the hearts of the UK. However, much of popularity was contained in the UK, though he had like one or two world wide hits. Still his name is still considered legendary for the time. 

By the time Dorian meets him through Basil, Henry has long stopped performing his own songs, more or less writing and producing them for other stars. He despises Pop as a genre but since that is what sells now, he has had to pivot away from punk. Dorian becomes a sort of new hope for him because Dorian, being pretty and charismatic, could be the mix for the two genres.

Also this AU/Adaptation would take more of a focus on the complicated rivalry/relationship between Dorian and Henry. Because Henry, despite being hopeful of what Dorian could be, is also very resentful for the fact he is basically making his own replacement. I am using the “Henry as a bitter ex” characterization, so, along with that whole thing regarding Basil, now Henry literally has to watch Dorian reach higher heights in the same career he had. I think that conflict would take mainstage in the third act, replacing the Hetty Merton thing.

Dorian's corruption is a mix of the og book’s and 80s entertainment industry. While some stuff is definitely Henry’s fault, a whole lot of it is also just the entertainment industry being an exploitative place in general. Dorian grows worse as the years go by and Basil’s portrait of him does its usual thing.

CW: for mention of false accusations and grooming

Also, I think I figured out a way Basil doesn’t die! So England in the 1980s also had a moral panic regarding the LGBTQ+ and grooming (exactly like the ones of today). When Basil finds out about the portrait, Dorian doesn’t get the chance to murder him (for reasons) so instead, he outs Basil and falsely accuses him of grooming him, Basil’s rep is shot to pieces and he has to flee from his home country because no one is willing to believe his side of the story (except Henry, but at this point he is far too involved with Dorian to make a difference. Maybe this is the point where Henry’s dream breaks or something else which transitions into the third act.)

#the picture of dorian gray #80s rock au ig #idk what to call this #i am giving it to the world because there is no way in hell I am writing this fanfic too---I have too many lol #dorian gray #basil hallward #henry wotton #80s au #music industry au #feel free to add other stuff too!

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

last thing before i disappear again for another month (lmao i joke now, but that final chapter begs to differ)

I appreciate and thank all you sweet people for engaging with me, you're all very kind.

#<3 #choco appreciates this part of the void. #hope you all have nothing but happiness in your futures :)

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

yes

I fully forgot to add this the 'things henry does that confuse and scare me list' but finally

Says "I am only ten years older than you [Dorian] are, and I am wrinkled, and worn, and yellow."

"only" ten years.

"ONLY" ten years.

Henry. Dorian was learning long division in fourth grade while your ass was entering University, lmao, ten years is a long time. You look old cause you are lmao

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

Things that I would sell my soul for and kill a man in an attic to see in a tpodg adaptation (and still probably won't ever see ;-;)

Henry played by an actress. Despite the lack of analysis of it, tpodg has some great openings for the nature of gender and gendered roles. If Henry is played by an actress, WITHOUT changing the gender of the character and simply presenting the actress as masculine I think there could be some very interesting analysis to be had especially because of the character’s weird relationship with women (see previously list about henry). Also it would be kinda neat imo!

An adaptation set in 1930s hollywood. Tbf this exists and it’s called real life. But there’s never not a good time to call out the scummy ways young, beautiful (and queer!) people are abused by the establishment.

An adaptation where instead of Henry being adapted to be some weird conservative mouthpiece he’s adapted to be as cynical as he is meant to be. People often forget that underneath the misogyny is some actually very interesting dialogue, such as a call for individualism, disbelief in the establishment/his own country. All I am saying is that if you get past the edgelord bs, you can actually see something that makes sense.

An adaptation set in 1960s England. Out of all the periods one could pick, the 60s feels like the most fitting for the novel’s original story. The 60s was when youth culture became the dominant culture of the Western World, it was a break from traditional norms that were literally inspired by Victorian sensibilities. It is the first time we start seeing traditional masculinity challenged through Mods and the Peacock Revolution. Also the fashion would be fun.

Basil not dying somehow. Idk how it would be done without ruining the climax, but I would love an adaptation that doesn’t kill Basil for once.

Basil being a cat owner. (PLEASE)

Hetty Merton’s part not being adapted into a redemption thing for Dorian.

Actually pretty sets that match the beauty of the written setting. Stop with the dark academia bullshit— this book does not have the vibe of a stuffy academic and dark dorm room (that’s Frankenstein, yall). Give me bright gardens of roses and sickly yellow laburnum. I want to be able to smell the lavenders because their purple hue is so abrasive to my eyes. Give me the color palette of Utopia (UK ver—the US ver is so bad ;-;), dammit!

If someone does a period adaptation of the 80s again, can Henry please be a modern rock star and Basil as his friend/designer/manager–idk. It would be very fun and give Henry an actual connection to something that got a moral panic. Also England’s rock and pop tended to be quite queer in this era—ie “relax” by frankie goes to hollywood.

Can someone smarter than me figure out how to create an adaptation where Basil lives please? Ty ily <3

#the picture of dorian gray #dorian gray #basil hallward #henry wotton #this blog is slowly becoming my 'opinions about tpodg blog' because i am slow as hell when i write. #sorry tlg readers I stg i am trying ;-; #but yeah enjoy this while I reacquaint myself with my own story ;-; #this is all my opinion

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

I fully forgot to add this the 'things henry does that confuse and scare me list' but finally

Says "I am only ten years older than you [Dorian] are, and I am wrinkled, and worn, and yellow."

"only" ten years.

"ONLY" ten years.

Henry. Dorian was learning long division in fourth grade while your ass was entering University, lmao, ten years is a long time. You look old cause you are lmao

#btw Henry is confirm to be in his thirties when he first meets dorian #so my rb from way back when where I supported the notion he was in his twenties was incorrect. Henry is an old ass man when he meets him lo #though 30 is still pretty young but compared to a ~20yro that may as well be the time between the Roman Empire and now lol #tpodg #henry wotton #he is such a silly 30 yro man #“its *only* ten years Dorian y am i old ;-;”

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

See, Henry, this is exactly the type of thing Basil would disapprovingly hum at.

My excuse for what is under the cut is that it is my birthday 👍

(CW: suggestive, it's not like that one fanfic bad (iykyk), but still)

#might paint him because fishnets are fun to paint #but we shall see #anyways i gotta stop doing cursed shit on my birthday #art #my art #my very cursed art #henry wotton #he's in his 'controversy' era lmao #ty to my friend for helping me with my cursed stuff #you know who you are lol #cw suggestive

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

Forgive my oversight. Henry Wotton would absolutely call Basil a whore to which Basil would look at the obviously loosened tie and unbuttoned collar of Henry's shirt and make a disapproving humming noise that forever haunts Henry's waking moments.

half serious/half joke hot take that is not aimed at anyone in particular: If your interpretation of Henry is so misogynistic he calls a woman a 'slut', 'whore', or some other derogatory term, congratulations, he's out of character.

Not necessarily because that's too misogynistic, but because that is way too improper for him. He's a born and raised lord. His education cost more than rent in California---he is not going to talk like a poor ass bitch who can't afford tailoring. Mans loved hearing himself talk so much his two misogynistic rants take about 10 or more pages on 12 pt font.

He'd sooner say "She an easy virtue woman that all the poor men lust for because the only thing she has to offer is what physical prowess her lowly mother taught her" long before he'd genuinely call someone a 'slut' or 'whore'.

Based on everything in the book, the only person willing to throw 'slut' or 'whore' around is probably Dorian.

#I am now realizing that this concept combined with my earlier list creates the hilarious image of #dorian doing anti-semetism and henry going 😬but trying to hide it quickly #lmao that's probably why he keeps talking #otherwise his poker face would fail him

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

half serious/half joke hot take that is not aimed at anyone in particular: If your interpretation of Henry is so misogynistic he calls a woman a 'slut', 'whore', or some other derogatory term, congratulations, he's out of character.

Not necessarily because that's too misogynistic, but because that is way too improper for him. He's a born and raised lord. His education cost more than rent in California---he is not going to talk like a poor ass bitch who can't afford tailoring. Mans loved hearing himself talk so much his two misogynistic rants take about 10 or more pages on 12 pt font.

He'd sooner say "She an easy virtue woman that all the poor men lust for because the only thing she has to offer is what physical prowess her lowly mother taught her" long before he'd genuinely call someone a 'slut' or 'whore'.

Based on everything in the book, the only person willing to throw 'slut' or 'whore' around is probably Dorian.

#cw misogyny #the picture of dorian gray #henry wotton #dorian gray #this is what i meant on that one post I made saying not to let modern understanding cloud actual characterization #this is like the equivalent of making basil super shy #can't wait to discover what weird fandom thing happens to dorian lmao #this is not coming for anything or anyone in particular #i was just noticing this annoying trend for a while now #sure haha funny henry gay cuz he hates women but there is a clear defined point he never goes past #which is sounding like a poor lower class man lol #but yeah not trying to come for anyone #i am not an authority on shit. if you like a henry that says whore or slut all day everyday go right ahead #he's just a great value brand lord henry now lmao

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

the fact he owns a parrot is just randomly dropped out of nowhere after hundreds of pages of this man yapping

"Dorian heaved a sigh, and Lord Henry strolled across the room and began to stroke the head of a curious Java parrot, a large, grey-plumaged bird with pink crest and tail, that was balancing itself upon a bamboo perch."

literal comedy

10 things Henry Wotton does that scare and confuse me

Does not engage with Dorian’s antisemitism

To paraphrase MandaloreGaming, “[Henry] not being [antisemitic and/or] racist feels almost like a plot hole.”

In fact, Henry is the only one to treat Sybil’s manager like a human being.

“Lord Henry, upon the other hand, rather liked him. At least he declared he did, and insisted on shaking him by the hand and assuring him that he was proud to meet a man who had discovered a real genius and gone bankrupt over a poet.”

This isn’t even him being mocking, we have seen that Henry doesn’t mock in such an involved way—he prefers to talk shit afterwards (not counting Basil :( ).

Says a ton of misogynistic shit, but never takes a misogynistic action

You would expect a guy as supposedly misogynistic as Henry to be offended and insult every woman who argues against him, but he just talks with them and genuinely takes them seriously. He tries to convince them of his ideas, but if they don’t believe him, he doesn’t push it.

Implied to have close relationships with sister and his aunt.

Gwendolyn is the only sibling that is named and that is because she is the only one he makes a point to hang out with.

Same with Aunt Agatha.

Is possibly implied to have gotten at least a bit annoyed with Dorian sleeping with Gwendolyn (his sister). *this is based off the way Dorian reacts after Basil brings it up. Considering that entire moment was added in the 1891 ver, it’s certainly interesting, but nothing definitive, so take this with a grain of salt!

Has a decent relationship with his wife

Based on the fact Victoria was able to divorce him at all, he respected her enough to not put up a legal fight (divorce in England was difficult as fuck because women essentially became property to their husbands. They didn’t own anything and couldn’t even bring up a case without a man doing so. The fact Victoria was able to do so and the fact no other family members are mentioned, implies he brought the case to court for her, thus making the divorce process much easier than it ever would have been)

Always involves the women who enter discussions with him. 

He never once objects to them out nor insults them or makes them feel inferior or otherwise unwelcome. Constantly, he cheekily, but genuinely, suggests that the women he speaks with should have their own ‘fun’ regardless of the scandal involved. Recall that Victorian society characterized women as only valuable as wives and less than human. Henry is actively inviting women to be just as bad as men, thus seeing them at the same level as men. 

More so, in chapter 17, his banter with the duchess is not done so mockingly. Like his early conversations with Basil, Henry entertains and elaborates on her ideas, never once dismissing her. Even when he points out things she’s gotten wrong in his perspective, he does so playfully, which we actually haven’t seen him do with anyone except for Basil.

The entire scene with the Duchess of Monmouth in chapter 18. 

Henry is strangely gentle and compassionate with her in a way we have never seen him be with anyone (even Dorian!). He is genuine with her in a way that is comforting, he compliments her, makes her laugh, and, weirdly, warns her not to enter a scandal.

Owns a parrot.

Is pretty accurate on the importance of youth in society

Ever since the 1960s, youth culture has absolutely dominated social norms

The concept of teenagers and childhood were created because companies realized they could sell shit to you.

Is constantly criticizing marriage because of how it limits relationships between the men and women involved. 

This is novel because marriage was an expectation of Victorian Society, especially for someone in Henry’s class. The fact he actively despises it and recommends against it would be one of the many many things that would paint him as amoral to everyone else.

“the one charm of marriage is that it makes a life of deception absolutely necessary for both parties.”

“there are other and more interesting bonds between men and women. I will certainly encourage them.”

 Disclaimer: this is headcanon: Would probably say, “I’m going to live forever” and immediately get hit by a bus.

I don’t have evidence for this, it just feels right.

Bibliography because I reference historical shit and hbomberguy has reawakened the fear of accidentally plagiarizing i have had since i was six (but i am not doing this in some college style, because ewww)

MandaloreGaming: Anonymous Agony: An Extra Edgy Adventure Game

Shanspeare: Life Doesn’t End in Your 20s: The Myth of the Teenage Dream (for the childhood part)

Mary Lyndon Shanley: Feminism, Marriage, and the Law in Victorian England, 1850-1895 (for the divorce part)

#when did he even get it??? #did he get it cause he was lonely???? #was it an 'after-divorce self-care' gift????????

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

'Guide' for those who need it (this is lighthearted and not serious)

If a character is being brought back to life, it’s not Frankenstein, it’s necromancy.

If a character is stitched together with different parts, it’s not Frankenstein, it’s an amalgamation.

If a character is stitched together and brought back to life, it’s probably a reference to Frankenstein, could even be an adaptation.

If a character is stitched together and brought to life for the first time and the story focuses on the parent/child dynamic and the consequences of one's actions, it is definitely Frankenstein.

#frankenstein #shoutout to my sibling for reading it and inspiring this #love you you dumb nerd #gothic literature #btw this is wholly not serious #i am too sick to make any revisions