The picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray

“I hope the girl is good, Harry. I don't want to see Dorian tied to some vile creature, who might degrade his nature and ruin his intellect.”

“Oh she is better then good – she is beautiful,” murmured lord Henry, sipping a glass of vermouth and orange-bitters. “Dorian says she is beautiful, and he is not often wrong about things of that kind. Your portrait of him has quickened his appreciation of the personal appearance of other people. It has had that excellent effect, amongst others. Chapter 6.

I thought this was an interesting excerpt from the book, in this chapter you see harry speaking to Henry about Dorians lady. They go on to discuss how beautiful she is then Lord Henry goes on to say she is better then good she is beautiful. This is very interesting because we see these two men talking and as you go on reading, you find that confusion of beauty and goodness is a mistake often made in this book. For example, they care about does he have a beautiful wife and the nicest car. It's never really about the goodness in someone's heart. Only beauty from the outside.

2.

Do you have any unanswered questions about the story?

Who is Dorian? And can we define his true nature as either good or evil? And would things have turned out differently for him had he never crossed paths with Basil.

3.

Did you enjoy Wildes writing? Explain your answer with specific examples.

I loved Wildes writing. I liked that Wilde wrote this novel more as if it was a very dramatic play not so much a conventional novel back in the day, he focuses more on the demeanor of characters, and plot, over the setting. Wilde also uses aphorisms to draw the reader into his story. I think if you have an open mind you will enjoy the book, this book was written and intended to shock the reader and I'm sure it did in 1890 however, nowadays I don't think vague mentions of unspeakable acts, and the seduction, abandonment of a girl leaves too many people wide eyed anymore. I think that is why the book appealed to me, it was interesting seeing how much has changed in that regard, how this appalling hedonism compares to what we see now in every day life.

4.

How did you Feel as you were reading this book?

As I was reading this book, I often could not believe what was taking place, I wondered if Dorian would have been as evil had he never met Lord Henry with his bad influence. How his life could have been with Sybil. At one point, you feel bad for him for example he says : "I love Sibyl Vane. I want to place her on a pedestal of gold and to see the world worship the woman who is mine. What is marriage? An irrevocable vow. You mock at it for that. Ah! don't mock. It is an irrevocable vow that I want to take. Her trust makes me faithful, her belief makes me good. When I am with her, I regret all that you have taught me. I become different from what you have known me to be. I am changed, and the mere touch of Sibyl Vane's hand makes me forget you and all your wrong, fascinating, poisonous, delightful theories." (6.8) this makes you wonder if he really was all

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