Sibyl Vane was a lively young girl, who allowed her innocence to overpower her common sense.
After Dorian Gray, who Sibyl called Prince Charming, lured her into his trap, she immediately became madly in love with him: “Prince Charming rules life for us now” (64). Without putting any thought into who this man was, Sibyl allowed the love she had for Dorian to take over her mind. She became so madly in love with him to the point where she began performing poorly on stage. Her reason behind this was that she could not “mimic [a passion] that burn[ed] [her] like fire” (91). Sibyl was an actress, which meant she was a professional at mimicking emotions. Her excuse was not appropriate; it only showed how obsessed she was with Dorian. Sibyl ended up getting criticized for her poor acting by the person she was thinking about during her performance, and who she was eager to see once it was over. After Dorian finished ranting about her, Sibyl was shocked at the love of her life’s feelings. She killed herself because of Dorian’s harsh words. If she used her common sense, then she would have realized Dorian had no appreciation for her and truly did not care about her. Sibyl Vane did not deserve to die. Her death was the result of Dorian Gray’s corruption over her heart.
Sibyl Vane is like a magazine to Dorian. He wanted to buy her so badly and even asked Lord Henry to help him acquire her: “You, who know all the secrets of life, tell me how to charm Sibyl Vane to love me!” (59). Dorian was satisfied once he flipped the last page. However, there was nothing left for Sibyl, but the recycling bin.
Sibyl Vane is like a child, who is easily swayed.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
PODG: Dorian Gray Character Analysis
Dorian Gray
Dorian Gray was a self- absorbed man with absolutely no appreciation for what he had.
Dorian Gray was beyond beautiful and Lord Henry made him aware of this: “You are a wonderful creation. […] The gods have been good to you” (23-24). Instead of feeling grateful that he was gifted with such beauty, Dorian acted in a selfish manner and wished to stay young forever. Another instance of Dorian’s selfish attitude was during his love affair with Sibyl Vane. Dorian should have taken Sibyl’s explanation for her poor performance as a compliment instead of throwing a fit about it. Dorian avoided feeling remorse by finding unreasonable justification as to why he had the complete right to yell at Sibyl: "During the three terrible hours that the play had lasted he had lived centuries of pain" (95). Dorian did not need to sit in the audience, he chose to, so he should not be complaining. If Dorian really loved Sibyl, then he would have appreciated her for her devotion and gratitude towards him. Dorian should have also appreciated Basil instead of killing him. Basil was the only friend Dorian had who still had faith in him and wanted the best for him. Basil adored Dorian and "worship[ed]" (117) him. All Dorian did in return was feel a "terrible joy [...] that the man […] was to be burdened for the rest of his life" (157) when he was about to reveal the portrait to Basil.
Dorian is to Lord Henry as an experiment is to a scientist. Lord Henry simply uses Dorian as an experiment that he can test his ideas on. It does not matter to him whether Dorian’s life is at stake, or if the experiment will harm him. Likewise, a scientist is eager to test things they want to try out. Once they are gifted with the opportunity to test their ideas out, nothing else matters. The object being tested is simply an object being tested.
Dorian is like a little girl, who complains if he does not get what he wants.
Monday, March 29, 2010
PODG: Witticisms
1. The truth comes out when the leaves fall off the tree, leaving it bare with nothing to hide behind.
2. They say that two wrongs don't make a right, but a negative times a negative makes a positive.
3. We shed tears when we peel an onion, slowly revealing the real person at the core.
4. Love makes a person crazy, but a crazy person never finds love.
5. Those who make fun of hard workers now will be the ones working hard for them in the future.
6. There is no such thing as humility if a person knows they are humble.
7. Love has no definition, but it fills in the blanks with emotion.
8. Finding a partner is like tasting the flavors of ice cream. If you don't taste them all, how are you going to know which one satisfies your taste buds the best?
9. How is a person supposed to decide between love and money if a person needs money to buy their love?
10. Don't feel bad when you hear people talking about you, for chatter is the seed of fame.
2. They say that two wrongs don't make a right, but a negative times a negative makes a positive.
3. We shed tears when we peel an onion, slowly revealing the real person at the core.
4. Love makes a person crazy, but a crazy person never finds love.
5. Those who make fun of hard workers now will be the ones working hard for them in the future.
6. There is no such thing as humility if a person knows they are humble.
7. Love has no definition, but it fills in the blanks with emotion.
8. Finding a partner is like tasting the flavors of ice cream. If you don't taste them all, how are you going to know which one satisfies your taste buds the best?
9. How is a person supposed to decide between love and money if a person needs money to buy their love?
10. Don't feel bad when you hear people talking about you, for chatter is the seed of fame.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
PODG: Ch. 19- 20
"Yes, he would be good, and the hideous thing that he has hidden away would no longer be a terror to him. He felt as if the load had been lifted from him already" (227).
Dorian felt like this when he wrote his "first passionate love-letter [...] addressed to a dead girl" (103). Just like Dorian believed he "had been forgiven" (100) after writing the love letter, he believed the hideous thing would go away by doing a good deed. Dorian thought the picture would stop looking ugly if he was good. This was his only concern. Dorian was not actually sorry for what he did. He only wanted to cure his anxiety, so he would not look at the portrait in horror. Even if the portrait had the ability to look better, Dorian's intentions were neither selfless nor in search for forgiveness, so he would not have given the portrait any reason to improve. This only caused the portrait's mouth to curve in hypocrisy, which defined Dorian's real intentions. He was only going to be good, in order to change his portrait. Even if Dorian's one good deed had good intentions, it was not enough to make up for the many sins Dorian committed. At the thought of confessing, which he knew the portrait was asking of him, Dorian laughed at how ridiculous the thought was: "Confess? Did it mean that he was to confess? To give himself up, and be put to death?" (227- 228). Dorian felt "that the idea was monstrous" (228). In order to be considered a good person, he needed to confess. Otherwise, he really was being a hypocrite. Dorian knew the portrait would have given him support for his confession, but he chose to stab the portrait, which ended up killing himself. Either way, he was faced with death. If Dorian confessed, he would have been put to death. If he did not, he still would have died, but as a sinner.
"Lying on the floor was a dead man, in evening dress, with a knife in his heart. He was withered, wrinkled, and loathsome of visage" (229).
Dorian thought he would be able to get away with this situation, like he did in all the other tight situations he encountered. Unfortunately, his portrait tricked him. Dorian killed his conscience, which was always a part of him and he chose to suppress it behind a purple curtain. He could not hide from it any longer. By stabbing his conscience, he was stabbing himself. Dorian was the "face without a heart" (220). His portrait bore the suffering he should have felt. The moral of the book should be that one cannot get away from their sin. Like Dorian, Abigail from The Crucible walked away from her sins and ended up becoming a prostitute. Likewise, Dorian tried forgetting and turning away from his sins, but ended up dying as a sinner. Neither Abigail nor Dorian learned their lesson.
Friday, March 26, 2010
PODG: Ch. 16-18
"A cry of joy broke from his lips. The man who had been shot in the thicket was James Vane" (214).
Once again, Dorian gets out of another sticky situation. Even at gun point, he manages to talk James out of shooting him: "Eighteen years! Set me under the lamp and look at my face" (196). At first, afraid that he will also be shot in the woods, Dorian "wish[s] [the concept of shooting] were stopped forever [because] the whole thing is hideous and cruel" (208). If it is really that bad, then why was it so easy to stab Basil? One would think stabbing somebody is more grotesque than shooting somebody. It was wrong of Dorian to act out of hatred, in the spur of the moment, especially since he knew what he did was sinful. Dorian wonders "what sort of life would his be if, day and night, shadows of his crime were to peer at him from silence" (206), preventing him from forgetting what happened. Dorian can be seen as a coward because "it is the coming of Death that terrifies" (209) him, which is justified by all the times he feels or does faint but, apparently he has "no terror of Death" (209) itself. Dorian should have accepted the fact that what comes around, goes around. Did he really think he would be safe once word came out that he was the reason behind Sibyl's death? Sadly, Dorian is still too self-absorbed and worried that he could get shot the way the man did, but once he finds out James Vane was the one shot and died, he rejoices. It is sickening to find somebody happy about another person's death.
"What sort of life would his be if, day and night, shadows of his crime were to peer at him from silent corners, to mock him from secret places, to whisper in his ear as he sat at the feast, to wake him with icy fingers as he lay asleep!" (206).
Dorian knows what he did was wrong, but instead of opening up and confessing his wrongdoing, he believes the best way to free himself from this tension is by forgetting what happened the night he killed Basil. Dorian blamed his misery on Basil, but realizes "innocent blood had been spilt" (189). Thus, making Basil not at fault for Dorian's supposed misery. If Basil caused the misery, then Dorian would not have said this. Dorian refuses to believe that he caused his own misery. Dorian also mentions that he "wish [he] could love!" (210). When love was at his feet, begging for him to take her back, Dorian verbally tore her to pieces with his harsh words. That was also his fault. On the bright side, he does realize that he is "too much concentrated on [him]self" (210). Now, it is a matter of what he does to fix that or if he even bothers to do so.
Once again, Dorian gets out of another sticky situation. Even at gun point, he manages to talk James out of shooting him: "Eighteen years! Set me under the lamp and look at my face" (196). At first, afraid that he will also be shot in the woods, Dorian "wish[s] [the concept of shooting] were stopped forever [because] the whole thing is hideous and cruel" (208). If it is really that bad, then why was it so easy to stab Basil? One would think stabbing somebody is more grotesque than shooting somebody. It was wrong of Dorian to act out of hatred, in the spur of the moment, especially since he knew what he did was sinful. Dorian wonders "what sort of life would his be if, day and night, shadows of his crime were to peer at him from silence" (206), preventing him from forgetting what happened. Dorian can be seen as a coward because "it is the coming of Death that terrifies" (209) him, which is justified by all the times he feels or does faint but, apparently he has "no terror of Death" (209) itself. Dorian should have accepted the fact that what comes around, goes around. Did he really think he would be safe once word came out that he was the reason behind Sibyl's death? Sadly, Dorian is still too self-absorbed and worried that he could get shot the way the man did, but once he finds out James Vane was the one shot and died, he rejoices. It is sickening to find somebody happy about another person's death.
"What sort of life would his be if, day and night, shadows of his crime were to peer at him from silent corners, to mock him from secret places, to whisper in his ear as he sat at the feast, to wake him with icy fingers as he lay asleep!" (206).
Dorian knows what he did was wrong, but instead of opening up and confessing his wrongdoing, he believes the best way to free himself from this tension is by forgetting what happened the night he killed Basil. Dorian blamed his misery on Basil, but realizes "innocent blood had been spilt" (189). Thus, making Basil not at fault for Dorian's supposed misery. If Basil caused the misery, then Dorian would not have said this. Dorian refuses to believe that he caused his own misery. Dorian also mentions that he "wish [he] could love!" (210). When love was at his feet, begging for him to take her back, Dorian verbally tore her to pieces with his harsh words. That was also his fault. On the bright side, he does realize that he is "too much concentrated on [him]self" (210). Now, it is a matter of what he does to fix that or if he even bothers to do so.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
PODG: Ch. 15
"Don't tell me that you have exhausted Life. When a man says that, one knows that Life has exhausted him. Lord Henry is a very wicked man" (184).
Lady Narborough is like the female version of Lord Henry. If not, then she is very different from the other characters we have met in the book. When Lord Henry states his philosophies, most people are intrigued by what he has to say. For example, when Lord Henry says, "moderation is a fatal thing. Enough is as bad as a meal. More than enough is as good as a feast" (185), Lady Ruxton is intrigued and insists that he "must come and explain that to [her] some afternoon [because] it sound[ed] a fascinating theory" (185). Unlike Lady Ruxton's reponse, Lady Narborough responds to Lord Henry's philosophies with her own, like the quote shown above. It seems as though Lord Henry has found someone of equal intellect. Lord Henry makes remarks about women and Lady Narborough makes remarks about men. She has the same fascination for Lord Henry that Lord Henry had for Dorian when they first met: "You must come and dine with me soon again. You are really an admirable tonic" (184). She is "not at all surprised that the world says [Lord Henry is] extremely wicked" (182) and wishes "sometimes [...] that [she] had been" (184) the same, which has not been the reaction of any of the characters in the book so far. Lady Narborough also does not fall for Dorian like females usually do. Instead, she recognizes the fact that she probably would have "fallen madly in love with [him and] thrown [her] bonnet right over the mills for" (180) him if she met him in her earlier years, but she is glad that this did not happen, which gives us an idea of her sensibility. Lady Narborough knows that falling in love with him would not go well, especially because she knows Dorian's history with women. This does not sound like the usual thinking the women Dorian interacts with have. Thus, Lady Narborough is unlike any character we have met so far.
"At dinner [Dorian] could not eat anything. Plate after plate went away untasted. [...] Now and then Lord Henry looked across at him, wondering, [...] 'what is the matter with you to-night? You are quite out of the sorts'" (181).
The reason behind Dorian's odd behavior can be directed back to Basil's murder. Dorian seems to be having trouble and worrying about this issue. He had no problem with Sibyl's death, but that could also be because he did not physically kill her. Dorian once told Basil after hearing of Sibyl's death, "if you really want to console me, teach me, rather to forget what has happened, or to see it from a proper artistic point of view" (113). Dorian is having trouble doing this with Basil. He cannot manage to forget what happened even though he took great precautions of getting rid of Basil and his things. Dorian will most likely not be suspected, which was Dorian's main concern when Sibyl died, but why is it so difficult for him to move on now that Basil is dead? The book does not mention the fact Dorian stabbed Basil with his own hands as a reason why Dorian has been acting strangely, which means there must be another reason. This could be Dorian's breaking point where he realizes the mistake he made by not listening to Basil, but this is unlikely. Dorian is on the move again, but with what seems to be poison. Could he be out to poison Lord Henry this time? Dorian tends to reject the love people have for him and causes them to die instead. Sibyl and Basil both cared for him very much and loved him dearly, but now they are not alive anymore, which is his fault. The next person to care for Dorian would have to be Lord Henry.
Lady Narborough is like the female version of Lord Henry. If not, then she is very different from the other characters we have met in the book. When Lord Henry states his philosophies, most people are intrigued by what he has to say. For example, when Lord Henry says, "moderation is a fatal thing. Enough is as bad as a meal. More than enough is as good as a feast" (185), Lady Ruxton is intrigued and insists that he "must come and explain that to [her] some afternoon [because] it sound[ed] a fascinating theory" (185). Unlike Lady Ruxton's reponse, Lady Narborough responds to Lord Henry's philosophies with her own, like the quote shown above. It seems as though Lord Henry has found someone of equal intellect. Lord Henry makes remarks about women and Lady Narborough makes remarks about men. She has the same fascination for Lord Henry that Lord Henry had for Dorian when they first met: "You must come and dine with me soon again. You are really an admirable tonic" (184). She is "not at all surprised that the world says [Lord Henry is] extremely wicked" (182) and wishes "sometimes [...] that [she] had been" (184) the same, which has not been the reaction of any of the characters in the book so far. Lady Narborough also does not fall for Dorian like females usually do. Instead, she recognizes the fact that she probably would have "fallen madly in love with [him and] thrown [her] bonnet right over the mills for" (180) him if she met him in her earlier years, but she is glad that this did not happen, which gives us an idea of her sensibility. Lady Narborough knows that falling in love with him would not go well, especially because she knows Dorian's history with women. This does not sound like the usual thinking the women Dorian interacts with have. Thus, Lady Narborough is unlike any character we have met so far.
"At dinner [Dorian] could not eat anything. Plate after plate went away untasted. [...] Now and then Lord Henry looked across at him, wondering, [...] 'what is the matter with you to-night? You are quite out of the sorts'" (181).
The reason behind Dorian's odd behavior can be directed back to Basil's murder. Dorian seems to be having trouble and worrying about this issue. He had no problem with Sibyl's death, but that could also be because he did not physically kill her. Dorian once told Basil after hearing of Sibyl's death, "if you really want to console me, teach me, rather to forget what has happened, or to see it from a proper artistic point of view" (113). Dorian is having trouble doing this with Basil. He cannot manage to forget what happened even though he took great precautions of getting rid of Basil and his things. Dorian will most likely not be suspected, which was Dorian's main concern when Sibyl died, but why is it so difficult for him to move on now that Basil is dead? The book does not mention the fact Dorian stabbed Basil with his own hands as a reason why Dorian has been acting strangely, which means there must be another reason. This could be Dorian's breaking point where he realizes the mistake he made by not listening to Basil, but this is unlikely. Dorian is on the move again, but with what seems to be poison. Could he be out to poison Lord Henry this time? Dorian tends to reject the love people have for him and causes them to die instead. Sibyl and Basil both cared for him very much and loved him dearly, but now they are not alive anymore, which is his fault. The next person to care for Dorian would have to be Lord Henry.
Monday, March 22, 2010
PODG: Ch. 14
"You are mad, I tell you- mad to imagine that I would raise a finger to help you, mad to make this monstrous confession. I will have nothing to do with this matter, whatever it is" (172).
When Basil was concerned for Dorian's welfare and tried to tell him he should not "want people to talk of [him] as something vile and degraded" (153), Dorian should have considered this and at least attempted to mend his ruined relationships. As a result of not doing so, Dorian is faced with a dilemma when Alan refuses to help him: "Of course I refuse. I will have absolutely nothing to do with it. I don't care what shame comes on you. You deserve it all. I should not be sorry to see you disgraced" (173). Alan's refusal is completely understandable. If a friend wrongs another friend with no remorse, why should that friend expect anything in return? Dorian's interaction with Alan exemplifies the result of a broken friendship. Dorian's first attempt at getting Alan to reconsider his refusal is to convince Alan of the supposed suffering he went through: "You don't know what he had made me suffer. [...] Alan, I entreat you. Think of the position I am in. Just before you came I almost fainted with terror" (174). Apparently, almost fainting in terror is considered suffering. If Dorian had no problem stabbing Basil, then he should not be acting like a baby about "almost faint[ing] with terror" (174). Dorian's second and final attempt to get Alan to agree is by threatening him, which causes Alan to unwillingly agree to Dorian's wishes. If Dorian mended his relationship with Alan, then this conversation would have gone smoothly. Unfortunately, since Dorian ended up getting his way, it does not matter.
"I have a letter all written already. Here it is. You see the address. If you don't help me, I must send it. [...] You know what the result will be. But you are going to help me. It is impossible for you to refuse now" (175).
Alan is one of Dorian's many experiments, just like Dorian was to Lord Henry. Lord Henry knew Dorian, his experiment, very well, or in at least all the aspects of Dorian that interested him. Likewise, Dorian knows Alan, one of his experiments, very well. With the carefree and indifferent attitude Lord Henry instilled in Dorian, Dorian is taking advantage of his experiment's weakness and using it to benefit himself. It is possible that Dorian has been dominating all his friends with this same power, causing them to despise the sight of him. When Basil confronts Dorian about his evil deeds, Dorian's response may hint to his secret behind dominating his friends: "You ask me why Berwick leaves a room when I enter it. It is because I know everything about his life, not because he knows everything about mine" (155). If a devious person like Dorian knows everything about another person, then that person can be ruined within moments. Dorian is an extremely stubborn person and usually gets his way. When Alan puts his foot down and refuses to give in to Dorian's plea, Dorian responds in hostility: "You treated me as no man has ever dared treat me- no living man, at any rate. I bore it all. Now it is time for me to dictate terms" (174). Dorian likes the power he holds over people, which is probably why he does not care if they talk ill of him. If they are under him, then they are indifferent to him.
When Basil was concerned for Dorian's welfare and tried to tell him he should not "want people to talk of [him] as something vile and degraded" (153), Dorian should have considered this and at least attempted to mend his ruined relationships. As a result of not doing so, Dorian is faced with a dilemma when Alan refuses to help him: "Of course I refuse. I will have absolutely nothing to do with it. I don't care what shame comes on you. You deserve it all. I should not be sorry to see you disgraced" (173). Alan's refusal is completely understandable. If a friend wrongs another friend with no remorse, why should that friend expect anything in return? Dorian's interaction with Alan exemplifies the result of a broken friendship. Dorian's first attempt at getting Alan to reconsider his refusal is to convince Alan of the supposed suffering he went through: "You don't know what he had made me suffer. [...] Alan, I entreat you. Think of the position I am in. Just before you came I almost fainted with terror" (174). Apparently, almost fainting in terror is considered suffering. If Dorian had no problem stabbing Basil, then he should not be acting like a baby about "almost faint[ing] with terror" (174). Dorian's second and final attempt to get Alan to agree is by threatening him, which causes Alan to unwillingly agree to Dorian's wishes. If Dorian mended his relationship with Alan, then this conversation would have gone smoothly. Unfortunately, since Dorian ended up getting his way, it does not matter.
"I have a letter all written already. Here it is. You see the address. If you don't help me, I must send it. [...] You know what the result will be. But you are going to help me. It is impossible for you to refuse now" (175).
Alan is one of Dorian's many experiments, just like Dorian was to Lord Henry. Lord Henry knew Dorian, his experiment, very well, or in at least all the aspects of Dorian that interested him. Likewise, Dorian knows Alan, one of his experiments, very well. With the carefree and indifferent attitude Lord Henry instilled in Dorian, Dorian is taking advantage of his experiment's weakness and using it to benefit himself. It is possible that Dorian has been dominating all his friends with this same power, causing them to despise the sight of him. When Basil confronts Dorian about his evil deeds, Dorian's response may hint to his secret behind dominating his friends: "You ask me why Berwick leaves a room when I enter it. It is because I know everything about his life, not because he knows everything about mine" (155). If a devious person like Dorian knows everything about another person, then that person can be ruined within moments. Dorian is an extremely stubborn person and usually gets his way. When Alan puts his foot down and refuses to give in to Dorian's plea, Dorian responds in hostility: "You treated me as no man has ever dared treat me- no living man, at any rate. I bore it all. Now it is time for me to dictate terms" (174). Dorian likes the power he holds over people, which is probably why he does not care if they talk ill of him. If they are under him, then they are indifferent to him.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
PODG: Ch. 12-13
"He did not glance at the murdered man. [...] The friend who had painted this fatal portrait to which all his misery had been due had gone out of his life. That was enough" (164).
Basil was the only friend Dorian had who still had faith in him and wanted the best for him: "As for what I said to you to-night, I said it for your good. You know I have been always a stanch friend to you" (157). Basil was also another form of Dorian's conscience: "You have filled [your friends] with a madness for pleasure. They have gone down into the depths. [...] Yes, you led them there; and yet you smile" (155). Basil adored Dorian and "worship[ed]" (117) him. All Dorian did in return was feel a "terrible joy [...] that the man who had painted the portrait that was the origin of all his shame was to be burdened for the rest of his life" (157). It was difficult for Basil to see the hideous portrait because he avoided seeing the worst in Dorian. Although Basil knew Dorian was transforming into a monster, his feelings toward him were still held with optimism: "You have a wonderful influence. Let it be for good, not for evil" (156). Basil could not accept Dorian as the wicked man that he became. Basil ended up getting a reality check when Dorian revealed the "face of [his] soul" (161) to him: "Christ! what a thing I must have worshiped! It has the eyes of a devil" (161). By stabbing and killing Basil, Dorian was getting rid of his second form of conscience. He got rid of the first form by hiding and covering the portrait in the room where Basil was stabbed. The irony of this is that Dorian once said that "Conscience [...] is the divinest thing in us. Don't sneer at it" (101). He could not "bear the idea of [his] soul being hideous" (101), but now, he believes it is "too late" (162) and blames Basil for his faults. By killing Basil, Dorian has not accomplished anything. The portrait is still present and growing more hideous as Dorian continues to commit sinful deeds. Dorian is only making his painting look uglier by killing Basil.
"Yes, [...] to see your soul. But only God can do that" (156).
Dorian slips himself out of trouble or harm, but he cannot do this from God. Nobody likes Dorian anymore because of his bad influence on others. Dorian made his friends experiments, just like Lord Henry made Dorian his experiment. Dorian's carefree attitude caused people to despise him. When Dorian killed Basil, "he felt strangely calm" (163). When Dorian heard of Sibyl's death, he was "not sorry for anything that [...] happened" (101). Dorian felt no remorse for either Sibyl's or Basil's death, knowing that he was the cause of both. It is assumed one would feel terrible for causing somebody's death, but Dorian felt otherwise. Basil mentions that "sin is a thing that writes itself across a man's face. It cannot be concealed" (153). This can be taken literally as the portrait becomes uglier the more Dorian sins. Although the portrait is hidden behind a purple curtain, Dorian knows it is there and most importantly, God also knows it is there. Thus, it cannot be concealed. Dorian may not pay the consequences while he is alive, but God will not be kind once he dies. John Proctor from The Crucible also mentions God's power over His people: "A man may think God sleeps, but God sees everything" (110). Dorian should take this statement as a warning and reform while he still has the chance.
Basil was the only friend Dorian had who still had faith in him and wanted the best for him: "As for what I said to you to-night, I said it for your good. You know I have been always a stanch friend to you" (157). Basil was also another form of Dorian's conscience: "You have filled [your friends] with a madness for pleasure. They have gone down into the depths. [...] Yes, you led them there; and yet you smile" (155). Basil adored Dorian and "worship[ed]" (117) him. All Dorian did in return was feel a "terrible joy [...] that the man who had painted the portrait that was the origin of all his shame was to be burdened for the rest of his life" (157). It was difficult for Basil to see the hideous portrait because he avoided seeing the worst in Dorian. Although Basil knew Dorian was transforming into a monster, his feelings toward him were still held with optimism: "You have a wonderful influence. Let it be for good, not for evil" (156). Basil could not accept Dorian as the wicked man that he became. Basil ended up getting a reality check when Dorian revealed the "face of [his] soul" (161) to him: "Christ! what a thing I must have worshiped! It has the eyes of a devil" (161). By stabbing and killing Basil, Dorian was getting rid of his second form of conscience. He got rid of the first form by hiding and covering the portrait in the room where Basil was stabbed. The irony of this is that Dorian once said that "Conscience [...] is the divinest thing in us. Don't sneer at it" (101). He could not "bear the idea of [his] soul being hideous" (101), but now, he believes it is "too late" (162) and blames Basil for his faults. By killing Basil, Dorian has not accomplished anything. The portrait is still present and growing more hideous as Dorian continues to commit sinful deeds. Dorian is only making his painting look uglier by killing Basil.
"Yes, [...] to see your soul. But only God can do that" (156).
Dorian slips himself out of trouble or harm, but he cannot do this from God. Nobody likes Dorian anymore because of his bad influence on others. Dorian made his friends experiments, just like Lord Henry made Dorian his experiment. Dorian's carefree attitude caused people to despise him. When Dorian killed Basil, "he felt strangely calm" (163). When Dorian heard of Sibyl's death, he was "not sorry for anything that [...] happened" (101). Dorian felt no remorse for either Sibyl's or Basil's death, knowing that he was the cause of both. It is assumed one would feel terrible for causing somebody's death, but Dorian felt otherwise. Basil mentions that "sin is a thing that writes itself across a man's face. It cannot be concealed" (153). This can be taken literally as the portrait becomes uglier the more Dorian sins. Although the portrait is hidden behind a purple curtain, Dorian knows it is there and most importantly, God also knows it is there. Thus, it cannot be concealed. Dorian may not pay the consequences while he is alive, but God will not be kind once he dies. John Proctor from The Crucible also mentions God's power over His people: "A man may think God sleeps, but God sees everything" (110). Dorian should take this statement as a warning and reform while he still has the chance.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
PODG: Ch.11
"He had always the look of one who had kept himself unspotted from the world" (131).
Dorian Gray is giving people a false impression about himself. Internally, "he grew more and more enamored of his own beauty, more and more interested in the corruption of his soul" (131). If his soul is being corrupted and being strongly influenced by Lord Henry, then it is not fair to say that Dorian is "unspotted from the world" (131). He considers the portrait as a mere object of fascination, rather than a source of guidance. Instead of "mock[ing] the misshapen body and failing limbs" (131) in the portrait, Dorian should be startled at how hideous his soul is turning. Not only does Dorian hate "to be separated from the picture" (144), but he also is embarrassed of it. He went to the extent of finding some comfort to get rid of his embarrassment: "He would laugh at anyone who would try to taunt him. He had not painted it. What was it to him the vile and full of shame it looked? (144). Dorian also believes that "the true nature of the senses had never been understood [...] because the world had sought to starve them in submission or to kill them by pain, instead of aiming at making them elements of a new spirituality" (133). If this is so, then Dorian should take the opportunity he has and use the true nature of his senses to make "elements of a new spirituality" (133) with his painting, instead of leaving it to rot. Since he seems to know why the "true nature of senses had never been understood" (133), he can take that knowledge and fix himself by becoming a better person.
"He felt a curious delight in the thought that Art, like Nature, has her monsters" (138).
Here, Dorian is recognizing the fact that not all Art may be tasteful or perfect. He should have considered this before yelling at Sibyl. Dorian was dissatisfied with Sibyl's one performance out of the many that she performed and verbally attacked her for it, but on the other hand, he believes that "Art [...] has her monsters" (138). Why cannot Sibyl's one poor performance be considered a "monster" (138) or a flaw, instead of a complete failure? Sibyl had a valid reason behind why she did not act her best that day and even promised to do better, but Dorian was too stubborn to care. According to Dorian, Sibyl threw away the "dreams of great poets and [once] gave shape to the shadows of art" (91), but at the same time, he believes that "Life itself [is] the [...] greatest of the arts" (132). Dorian values Life as the greatest art, but he did not value Sibyl's Life when she stepped into the reality of it. Instead, he threw a fit and insulted her for doing so. Dorian's actions and thoughts do not seem to match up.
Dorian Gray is giving people a false impression about himself. Internally, "he grew more and more enamored of his own beauty, more and more interested in the corruption of his soul" (131). If his soul is being corrupted and being strongly influenced by Lord Henry, then it is not fair to say that Dorian is "unspotted from the world" (131). He considers the portrait as a mere object of fascination, rather than a source of guidance. Instead of "mock[ing] the misshapen body and failing limbs" (131) in the portrait, Dorian should be startled at how hideous his soul is turning. Not only does Dorian hate "to be separated from the picture" (144), but he also is embarrassed of it. He went to the extent of finding some comfort to get rid of his embarrassment: "He would laugh at anyone who would try to taunt him. He had not painted it. What was it to him the vile and full of shame it looked? (144). Dorian also believes that "the true nature of the senses had never been understood [...] because the world had sought to starve them in submission or to kill them by pain, instead of aiming at making them elements of a new spirituality" (133). If this is so, then Dorian should take the opportunity he has and use the true nature of his senses to make "elements of a new spirituality" (133) with his painting, instead of leaving it to rot. Since he seems to know why the "true nature of senses had never been understood" (133), he can take that knowledge and fix himself by becoming a better person.
"He felt a curious delight in the thought that Art, like Nature, has her monsters" (138).
Here, Dorian is recognizing the fact that not all Art may be tasteful or perfect. He should have considered this before yelling at Sibyl. Dorian was dissatisfied with Sibyl's one performance out of the many that she performed and verbally attacked her for it, but on the other hand, he believes that "Art [...] has her monsters" (138). Why cannot Sibyl's one poor performance be considered a "monster" (138) or a flaw, instead of a complete failure? Sibyl had a valid reason behind why she did not act her best that day and even promised to do better, but Dorian was too stubborn to care. According to Dorian, Sibyl threw away the "dreams of great poets and [once] gave shape to the shadows of art" (91), but at the same time, he believes that "Life itself [is] the [...] greatest of the arts" (132). Dorian values Life as the greatest art, but he did not value Sibyl's Life when she stepped into the reality of it. Instead, he threw a fit and insulted her for doing so. Dorian's actions and thoughts do not seem to match up.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
PODG: Ch. 9 & 10
"It often seems to me that art conceals the artist far more completely than it ever reveals him" (118).
Dorian should take heed of what Basil is saying and understand he was unnecessarily rude and condescending to Sibyl. Artists conceal themselves behind their art and Sibyl Vane did exactly that. She concealed herself behind the characters she played on stage, which is why she began to perform poorly when her personal feelings interfered with her character's feelings. Dorian had the nerve to comment on "how little [she knew] of love if [she said] it mar[red] [her] art!" (91). When Sibyl Vane was in love, it was the person behind her art that fell in love. The love Sibyl was feeling interfered with the love she was supposed to feel towards Romeo when she was playing the part of Juliet. Dorian was being ignorant towards this and could not simply value her devotion towards him. The love she felt for him was the reason why she acted so poorly. Dorian never thought of Sibyl as a person behind the characters she played, only seeing her as either Juliet, Rosalind, or Imogen. He always thought of her as "all the great heroines of the world in one" (59), who's death was "one of the great romantic tragedies of all time" (113). He could not and still cannot simply view her as a young girl, who died for love. Dorian cannot even appreciate how much she loved him. She killed herself because of him and Dorian cannot keep avoiding this fact.
"Now it was to hide something that had a corruption of its own, worse than the corruption of death itself- something that would breed horrors and yet would never die" (122).
Dorian is unwilling to better himself even though he knows "his own soul was looking out at him from the canvas and calling him to judgment" (123). Instead, he is focusing on hiding the painting so he is not burdened with the sight of it. Dorian is too ashamed to even look at it, but will not do anything to fix it. He knows he does not have a good soul, but shows no desire to improve. One would think the death of Sibyl would have made him realize what an imbecile he was. Dorian believes that "some love might come across his life, and purify him, and shield him from those sins that seemed to be stirring in spirit and in flesh" (125). Unfortunately, Dorian was too blind to see that "the gods made Sybil Vane for" (86) him and "without her [he] would have been incomplete" (86). He lost a chance at purification when he verbally attacked Sybil with his harsh words. By hiding the portrait, Dorian will physically not see his conscience, but he will still feel it inside of him. It is only going to eat him up inside. Even though Dorian hid "his soul from the eyes of men" (125), he will still carry it with him internally and feel the shame weigh him down. If the painting will "never die" (122), then it would make sense for Dorian to improve himself. With all this said, Dorian still feels that he "suffered immensely" (113).
Dorian should take heed of what Basil is saying and understand he was unnecessarily rude and condescending to Sibyl. Artists conceal themselves behind their art and Sibyl Vane did exactly that. She concealed herself behind the characters she played on stage, which is why she began to perform poorly when her personal feelings interfered with her character's feelings. Dorian had the nerve to comment on "how little [she knew] of love if [she said] it mar[red] [her] art!" (91). When Sibyl Vane was in love, it was the person behind her art that fell in love. The love Sibyl was feeling interfered with the love she was supposed to feel towards Romeo when she was playing the part of Juliet. Dorian was being ignorant towards this and could not simply value her devotion towards him. The love she felt for him was the reason why she acted so poorly. Dorian never thought of Sibyl as a person behind the characters she played, only seeing her as either Juliet, Rosalind, or Imogen. He always thought of her as "all the great heroines of the world in one" (59), who's death was "one of the great romantic tragedies of all time" (113). He could not and still cannot simply view her as a young girl, who died for love. Dorian cannot even appreciate how much she loved him. She killed herself because of him and Dorian cannot keep avoiding this fact.
"Now it was to hide something that had a corruption of its own, worse than the corruption of death itself- something that would breed horrors and yet would never die" (122).
Dorian is unwilling to better himself even though he knows "his own soul was looking out at him from the canvas and calling him to judgment" (123). Instead, he is focusing on hiding the painting so he is not burdened with the sight of it. Dorian is too ashamed to even look at it, but will not do anything to fix it. He knows he does not have a good soul, but shows no desire to improve. One would think the death of Sibyl would have made him realize what an imbecile he was. Dorian believes that "some love might come across his life, and purify him, and shield him from those sins that seemed to be stirring in spirit and in flesh" (125). Unfortunately, Dorian was too blind to see that "the gods made Sybil Vane for" (86) him and "without her [he] would have been incomplete" (86). He lost a chance at purification when he verbally attacked Sybil with his harsh words. By hiding the portrait, Dorian will physically not see his conscience, but he will still feel it inside of him. It is only going to eat him up inside. Even though Dorian hid "his soul from the eyes of men" (125), he will still carry it with him internally and feel the shame weigh him down. If the painting will "never die" (122), then it would make sense for Dorian to improve himself. With all this said, Dorian still feels that he "suffered immensely" (113).
Sunday, March 14, 2010
PODG: Ch. 7 & 8
"He had dreamed of her as a great artist, had given his love to her because he had thought her great. Then she disappointed him. She had been shallow and unworthy. [...] But he had suffered also" (95).
When one is in love with their partner, one is supposed to accept their partner for who they are, including their flaws. In this case, Sibyl did not flaw because she was a bad actress. She flawed because Dorian "taught [Sibyl] what reality really is [and] freed [her] soul from prison" (90). When Sibyl played her role as Juliet, she mimicked being in love because she did not know what love really felt like until Dorian came into her life: "I might mimic a passion that I do not feel, but I cannot mimic one that burns me like fire" (91). How was she going to mimic being in love when she really was in love, especially if she had to mimic love to a hideous Romeo? If she needed to show her love, then it would have been to her beloved. Thus, Sibyl was unable to play her role as Juliet. Dorian should have taken this as a compliment instead of throwing a fit. Dorian avoids feeling remorse by finding unreasonable justification as to why he had the complete right to yell at Sibyl: "During the three terrible hours that the play had lasted he had lived centuries of pain, eon upon eon of torture. His life was well worth hers" (95). Dorian did not need to sit in the audience. He chose to, so he should not be complaining. Dorian loved the actress Sibyl played, but not Sibyl. If he did, then he would have appreciated her for her devotion and gratitude towards him: "I knew nothing but shadows, and I thought them real. You came -oh, my beautiful love!- and you freed my soul. [...] You had brought me something higher, something of which all art is but a reflection" (90).
"Like the gods of the Greeks, he would be strong, and fleet, and joyous. What did it matter what happened to the colored image on the canvas? He would be safe. That was everything" (110).
Dorian continues to hold a selfish attitude and worries solely about his looks. When Dorian realizes the painting acts as his conscience and chooses to "not see Lord Henry anymore" (96), it seems as though he will change for the better. Instead of committing to his resolution, Dorian ends up talking to Lord Henry about Sybil's death and listens to his theories, ending Lord Henry's visit by telling him, "you are certainly my best friend. No one has ever understood me as you have" (108). Part of the reason why Lord Henry knows Dorian so well is because Lord Henry molded him into an object of his desires and influenced Dorian with negative attributes. Dorian also believes Sibyl's death "has been a marvelous experience [and] wonder[s] if life has still in store for [him] anything as marvelous" (108). The girl killed herself out of love for him. She stepped into reality and Dorian hated her for that. Where is the regret he should be having? He even had the nerve to say Sybil "had no right to kill herself [and] it was selfish of her" (103). Sybil had complete right to do as she wished to herself and what she did was due to Dorian's immaturity. Dorian has not learned anything from this tragedy. Hopefully, his painting will help him come to his senses.
When one is in love with their partner, one is supposed to accept their partner for who they are, including their flaws. In this case, Sibyl did not flaw because she was a bad actress. She flawed because Dorian "taught [Sibyl] what reality really is [and] freed [her] soul from prison" (90). When Sibyl played her role as Juliet, she mimicked being in love because she did not know what love really felt like until Dorian came into her life: "I might mimic a passion that I do not feel, but I cannot mimic one that burns me like fire" (91). How was she going to mimic being in love when she really was in love, especially if she had to mimic love to a hideous Romeo? If she needed to show her love, then it would have been to her beloved. Thus, Sibyl was unable to play her role as Juliet. Dorian should have taken this as a compliment instead of throwing a fit. Dorian avoids feeling remorse by finding unreasonable justification as to why he had the complete right to yell at Sibyl: "During the three terrible hours that the play had lasted he had lived centuries of pain, eon upon eon of torture. His life was well worth hers" (95). Dorian did not need to sit in the audience. He chose to, so he should not be complaining. Dorian loved the actress Sibyl played, but not Sibyl. If he did, then he would have appreciated her for her devotion and gratitude towards him: "I knew nothing but shadows, and I thought them real. You came -oh, my beautiful love!- and you freed my soul. [...] You had brought me something higher, something of which all art is but a reflection" (90).
"Like the gods of the Greeks, he would be strong, and fleet, and joyous. What did it matter what happened to the colored image on the canvas? He would be safe. That was everything" (110).
Dorian continues to hold a selfish attitude and worries solely about his looks. When Dorian realizes the painting acts as his conscience and chooses to "not see Lord Henry anymore" (96), it seems as though he will change for the better. Instead of committing to his resolution, Dorian ends up talking to Lord Henry about Sybil's death and listens to his theories, ending Lord Henry's visit by telling him, "you are certainly my best friend. No one has ever understood me as you have" (108). Part of the reason why Lord Henry knows Dorian so well is because Lord Henry molded him into an object of his desires and influenced Dorian with negative attributes. Dorian also believes Sibyl's death "has been a marvelous experience [and] wonder[s] if life has still in store for [him] anything as marvelous" (108). The girl killed herself out of love for him. She stepped into reality and Dorian hated her for that. Where is the regret he should be having? He even had the nerve to say Sybil "had no right to kill herself [and] it was selfish of her" (103). Sybil had complete right to do as she wished to herself and what she did was due to Dorian's immaturity. Dorian has not learned anything from this tragedy. Hopefully, his painting will help him come to his senses.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
PODG: Ch. 5 & 6
"[Basil] felt that Dorian Gray would never again be to him all that he had been in the past" (84).
When Basil first met Dorian, Dorian was pure, untouched, and genuine. Basil liked Dorian for who he was. It was not until Lord Henry met Dorian that Dorian changed into a reflection of Lord Henry, causing Basil and Dorian's special bond to weaken. From seeing each other almost every day, Dorian did not see Basil for days at a time because he spent all his time with Lord Henry: "Dear Basil! I have not laid eyes on him for a week" (60). On top of this, Dorian meets Sibyl Vane, who he adores: "Sibyl is the only thing I care about" (58). This causes Dorian to separate himself from Lord Henry's ideologies, but is now influenced by his love for Sybil: "Her trust makes me faithful, her belief makes me good. When I am with her, I regret all that you have taught me. [...] The mere touch of Sybil Vane's hand makes me forget you and all your [...] theories" (82). Basil will not get the Dorian he once had back. Once Dorian marries Sybil, she will be the object of his affection and everything else around him will be a blur. Dorian will share an even greater bond with Sybil than the one he had with Basil for the rest of his life. It is understandable why Basil is not too pleased with the idea of Dorian marrying Sybil. Dorian was once all of his art, but after the transformation Dorian went through, Basil will not be able to find the same Dorian who once inspired him.
"One's own life- that is the important thing. As for the lives of one's neighbors, [...] one can flaunt one's moral views about them, but they are not one's concern" (82).
Lord Henry values his own life and only his own. He uses Dorian as the object of his experiments because he does not want his curiosity to ruin his own life. Thus, he does not genuinely care for Dorian the way Basil does. Dorian makes Lord Henry's experimentation easy because he is allowing Lord Henry to influence him. This quote justifies the fact Lord Henry is only satisfying his mind by using Dorian without valuing him as a human being. Basil still believes that Lord Henry "doesn't mean a single word" (79) of what he says, but I am starting to think this is false. After reading this quote, it can be concluded that Lord Henry does mean what he says because, as we discussed in class, Lord Henry is not concerned about Dorian's welfare. If he was, then he would not be conducting experiments on Dorian.
When Basil first met Dorian, Dorian was pure, untouched, and genuine. Basil liked Dorian for who he was. It was not until Lord Henry met Dorian that Dorian changed into a reflection of Lord Henry, causing Basil and Dorian's special bond to weaken. From seeing each other almost every day, Dorian did not see Basil for days at a time because he spent all his time with Lord Henry: "Dear Basil! I have not laid eyes on him for a week" (60). On top of this, Dorian meets Sibyl Vane, who he adores: "Sibyl is the only thing I care about" (58). This causes Dorian to separate himself from Lord Henry's ideologies, but is now influenced by his love for Sybil: "Her trust makes me faithful, her belief makes me good. When I am with her, I regret all that you have taught me. [...] The mere touch of Sybil Vane's hand makes me forget you and all your [...] theories" (82). Basil will not get the Dorian he once had back. Once Dorian marries Sybil, she will be the object of his affection and everything else around him will be a blur. Dorian will share an even greater bond with Sybil than the one he had with Basil for the rest of his life. It is understandable why Basil is not too pleased with the idea of Dorian marrying Sybil. Dorian was once all of his art, but after the transformation Dorian went through, Basil will not be able to find the same Dorian who once inspired him.
"One's own life- that is the important thing. As for the lives of one's neighbors, [...] one can flaunt one's moral views about them, but they are not one's concern" (82).
Lord Henry values his own life and only his own. He uses Dorian as the object of his experiments because he does not want his curiosity to ruin his own life. Thus, he does not genuinely care for Dorian the way Basil does. Dorian makes Lord Henry's experimentation easy because he is allowing Lord Henry to influence him. This quote justifies the fact Lord Henry is only satisfying his mind by using Dorian without valuing him as a human being. Basil still believes that Lord Henry "doesn't mean a single word" (79) of what he says, but I am starting to think this is false. After reading this quote, it can be concluded that Lord Henry does mean what he says because, as we discussed in class, Lord Henry is not concerned about Dorian's welfare. If he was, then he would not be conducting experiments on Dorian.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
PODG: Ch. 4
"Ordinary women never appear to one's imagination. [...]They have a stereotyped smile and their fashionable manner. They are quite obvious" (55).
Dorian says this quote about women to Lord Henry. Usually Lord Henry speaks in this manner, but now it has rubbed onto Dorian with great precision. In other words, Lord Henry greatly influences Dorian and finds pleasure in hearing his own music played back to him. In a previous chapter, Lord Henry talks about influence as if it is a bad thing: "Because to influence a person is to give him one's own soul. [...] He becomes an echo of some one else's music. [...] The aim of life is self-development" (20). Lord Henry is preventing Dorian from achieving self-development and is fully aware of this, yet his response to Dorian's witty remarks is simply gratitude: "I am much obliged for the compliment" (56). Instead of backing off of Dorian and letting him self-develop, Lord Henry likes seeing his own words reflected back. This supports Basil's fact that Lord Henry "never means anything that he says" (41). If Lord Henry believed his statement about influence, then he would leave Dorian alone, but because Lord Henry is so carefree, it does not bother him that he is preventing somebody from self- developing.
"I thought of her performance, and she seemed quite unconscious of her power" (57).
In connection with the quote above and Lord Henry's influence on Dorian, Dorian says this quote similarly to the quote Lord Henry tells him about himself in a previous chapter: "The moment I met you I saw that you were quite unconscious of what you really are" (25). This connection supports Lord Henry's influence on Dorian, but as Dorian speaks of Sibyl Vane, he sounds like Basil telling Lord Henry about the first time he met Dorian. In other words, Sibyl is to Dorian what Dorian is to Basil and what Lord Henry wants to be to Dorian. It seems as though Lord Henry is not the only influence on Dorian. Basil may have unknowingly influenced Dorian during their meetings also. This tells us a lot about Dorian because we can infer that he does not think for himself. Even if he does, it is in the form or mannerism of somebody else, so maybe it is not Lord Henry's fault for being such a big influence on Dorian. It is Dorian who is allowing himself to be influenced, possibly without being fully aware that he is letting this occur.
Dorian says this quote about women to Lord Henry. Usually Lord Henry speaks in this manner, but now it has rubbed onto Dorian with great precision. In other words, Lord Henry greatly influences Dorian and finds pleasure in hearing his own music played back to him. In a previous chapter, Lord Henry talks about influence as if it is a bad thing: "Because to influence a person is to give him one's own soul. [...] He becomes an echo of some one else's music. [...] The aim of life is self-development" (20). Lord Henry is preventing Dorian from achieving self-development and is fully aware of this, yet his response to Dorian's witty remarks is simply gratitude: "I am much obliged for the compliment" (56). Instead of backing off of Dorian and letting him self-develop, Lord Henry likes seeing his own words reflected back. This supports Basil's fact that Lord Henry "never means anything that he says" (41). If Lord Henry believed his statement about influence, then he would leave Dorian alone, but because Lord Henry is so carefree, it does not bother him that he is preventing somebody from self- developing.
"I thought of her performance, and she seemed quite unconscious of her power" (57).
In connection with the quote above and Lord Henry's influence on Dorian, Dorian says this quote similarly to the quote Lord Henry tells him about himself in a previous chapter: "The moment I met you I saw that you were quite unconscious of what you really are" (25). This connection supports Lord Henry's influence on Dorian, but as Dorian speaks of Sibyl Vane, he sounds like Basil telling Lord Henry about the first time he met Dorian. In other words, Sibyl is to Dorian what Dorian is to Basil and what Lord Henry wants to be to Dorian. It seems as though Lord Henry is not the only influence on Dorian. Basil may have unknowingly influenced Dorian during their meetings also. This tells us a lot about Dorian because we can infer that he does not think for himself. Even if he does, it is in the form or mannerism of somebody else, so maybe it is not Lord Henry's fault for being such a big influence on Dorian. It is Dorian who is allowing himself to be influenced, possibly without being fully aware that he is letting this occur.
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Picture of Dorian Gray: Ch. 3
"Margaret Devereux was one of the loveliest creatures I ever saw. [...] What on earth induced her to behave as she did, I never could understand. She could have married anybody she chose" (37).
Margaret's beauty was advantageous for herself, but she chose true love over the materialistic satisfaction of what her good looks could have given her: "She was an extraordinarily beautiful girl, Margaret Devereux, and made all the men frantic by running away with a penniless young fellow, a mere nobody" (36). Margaret broke away from the assumption that she would marry a handsome and wealthy man. She chose to follow her heart, rather than let her looks tell her who she could benefit from. Beauty seems to be very important to Lord Henry and his peers or is at least mentioned fairly often by them. We first hear about how "Beauty [...] is higher, indeed, than Genius" (24). Now, we hear of the envy the Duchess has of American girls: "I must confess most of them are extremely pretty. And they dress well, too. [...] I wish I could afford to do the same" (42). Unlike Margaret, Dorian is unaware of his beauty's beneficence. He is still young and does not know how to use his beauty to his advantage, but Dorian does not need to worry about this because his looks have already brought him great adoration from Basil and Lord Henry. If Dorian was ugly, then there would be slight chances that Basil would have immediately felt such a strong attraction to him. In this case, beauty does come off as more beneficial than intelligence because one cannot tell a person is intelligent by simply looking at them.
"He would try to be to Dorian Gray what, without knowing it, the lad was to the painter who had fashioned the wonderful portrait. He would seek to dominate him- had already, indeed, half done so. He would make that wonderful spirit his own" (40).
Lord Henry seems to have accomplished his task without much effort. Lord Henry also seems to be objectifying Dorian, making him sound like a toy he must have or an object to experiment on: "There was nothing that one could not do with [Dorian]" (39). Basil is correct in saying Lord Henry "has a bad influence over all his friends" (19). A negative quality in Lord Henry is that "he never means anything that he says" (41). Dorian is so mesmerized by Lord Henry that he is prone to believing whatever he says. Lord Henry has already influenced Dorian so greatly. The first time is when Dorian tells Basil that he likes his art better than his friends. Basil "stared [at him] in amazement [because] it was so unlike Dorian to speak like that" (28). Another impact of Lord Henry on Dorian is when Dorian decides to go out with Lord Henry over the plans he had already made with Basil. In the previous chapter, when Basil asks Dorian to stay with him instead of going out with Lord Henry, Dorian tells Basil that he "promised Lord Henry to go with him" (32). Therefore, he could not stay; however, Dorian tells Lord Henry that he would "sooner come with [him]" (47) even though he promised Basil he would see him later. Dorian breaks his promise to Basil and does not think twice before agreeing to go with Lord Henry. This sounds like the foreshadowing of a conflict between the three friends.
Margaret's beauty was advantageous for herself, but she chose true love over the materialistic satisfaction of what her good looks could have given her: "She was an extraordinarily beautiful girl, Margaret Devereux, and made all the men frantic by running away with a penniless young fellow, a mere nobody" (36). Margaret broke away from the assumption that she would marry a handsome and wealthy man. She chose to follow her heart, rather than let her looks tell her who she could benefit from. Beauty seems to be very important to Lord Henry and his peers or is at least mentioned fairly often by them. We first hear about how "Beauty [...] is higher, indeed, than Genius" (24). Now, we hear of the envy the Duchess has of American girls: "I must confess most of them are extremely pretty. And they dress well, too. [...] I wish I could afford to do the same" (42). Unlike Margaret, Dorian is unaware of his beauty's beneficence. He is still young and does not know how to use his beauty to his advantage, but Dorian does not need to worry about this because his looks have already brought him great adoration from Basil and Lord Henry. If Dorian was ugly, then there would be slight chances that Basil would have immediately felt such a strong attraction to him. In this case, beauty does come off as more beneficial than intelligence because one cannot tell a person is intelligent by simply looking at them.
"He would try to be to Dorian Gray what, without knowing it, the lad was to the painter who had fashioned the wonderful portrait. He would seek to dominate him- had already, indeed, half done so. He would make that wonderful spirit his own" (40).
Lord Henry seems to have accomplished his task without much effort. Lord Henry also seems to be objectifying Dorian, making him sound like a toy he must have or an object to experiment on: "There was nothing that one could not do with [Dorian]" (39). Basil is correct in saying Lord Henry "has a bad influence over all his friends" (19). A negative quality in Lord Henry is that "he never means anything that he says" (41). Dorian is so mesmerized by Lord Henry that he is prone to believing whatever he says. Lord Henry has already influenced Dorian so greatly. The first time is when Dorian tells Basil that he likes his art better than his friends. Basil "stared [at him] in amazement [because] it was so unlike Dorian to speak like that" (28). Another impact of Lord Henry on Dorian is when Dorian decides to go out with Lord Henry over the plans he had already made with Basil. In the previous chapter, when Basil asks Dorian to stay with him instead of going out with Lord Henry, Dorian tells Basil that he "promised Lord Henry to go with him" (32). Therefore, he could not stay; however, Dorian tells Lord Henry that he would "sooner come with [him]" (47) even though he promised Basil he would see him later. Dorian breaks his promise to Basil and does not think twice before agreeing to go with Lord Henry. This sounds like the foreshadowing of a conflict between the three friends.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
The Picture of Dorian Gray: Ch. 1 & 2
"Beauty is a form of Genius-is higher, indeed, than Genius, as it needs no explanations. [...] It cannot be questioned" (24).
Dorian Gray is beauty. Art is also beautiful. Therefore, Dorian Gray is art. The problem with this is that Basil, the artist, has put too much of his personal feelings, in this case love for Dorian, into his painting: "He is all my art to me now" (11). His love for Dorian is preventing him from reaching art's aim because the aim of art is "to reveal art and conceal the artist" (1). Dorian has become a part of Basil and Basil is extremely attached to him. Thus, Basil cannot exhibit the painting because he cannot separate himself from Dorian. This quote also justifies why Basil gives into him so easily: "Dorian's whims are laws to everybody, except himself" (19). In other words, Dorian's whims are not questioned or rejected, but are simply fulfilled. For example, when Dorian complains about how "dull standing on a platform and trying to look pleasant is" (19) and requests Lord Henry to give him company, Basil convinces Lord Henry to stay even though he wants him to leave: "Stay, Harry, to oblige Dorian. [...] I beg you to stay" (19). Basil could have simply overruled Dorian's request for Lord Henry to stay and tell him to leave, but instead he found some justification as to why it would make sense for Lord Henry to stay: "It is quite true, [...] it must be dreadfully tedious for my unfortunate sitters" (19). Aside from Dorian's lack of maturity, other characteristics about him are also revealed. When Lord Henry talks to him about growing old, Dorian's naiveness is disclosed as he worries about getting old and wrinkly. Dorian can also be seen as selfish because he wants to stay young forever. He cannot simply bask in his youth while he has it and appreciate his gift of beauty; Dorian needs to stay youthful, like his painting.
Dorian Gray is beauty. Art is also beautiful. Therefore, Dorian Gray is art. The problem with this is that Basil, the artist, has put too much of his personal feelings, in this case love for Dorian, into his painting: "He is all my art to me now" (11). His love for Dorian is preventing him from reaching art's aim because the aim of art is "to reveal art and conceal the artist" (1). Dorian has become a part of Basil and Basil is extremely attached to him. Thus, Basil cannot exhibit the painting because he cannot separate himself from Dorian. This quote also justifies why Basil gives into him so easily: "Dorian's whims are laws to everybody, except himself" (19). In other words, Dorian's whims are not questioned or rejected, but are simply fulfilled. For example, when Dorian complains about how "dull standing on a platform and trying to look pleasant is" (19) and requests Lord Henry to give him company, Basil convinces Lord Henry to stay even though he wants him to leave: "Stay, Harry, to oblige Dorian. [...] I beg you to stay" (19). Basil could have simply overruled Dorian's request for Lord Henry to stay and tell him to leave, but instead he found some justification as to why it would make sense for Lord Henry to stay: "It is quite true, [...] it must be dreadfully tedious for my unfortunate sitters" (19). Aside from Dorian's lack of maturity, other characteristics about him are also revealed. When Lord Henry talks to him about growing old, Dorian's naiveness is disclosed as he worries about getting old and wrinkly. Dorian can also be seen as selfish because he wants to stay young forever. He cannot simply bask in his youth while he has it and appreciate his gift of beauty; Dorian needs to stay youthful, like his painting.
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