The Picture of Dorian Gray – Study Guide

Chapter One

1. Examine the characteristics of Lord Henry Wotton.  Note that Lord Henry is a manipulator and the initiator of Dorian’s corruption.

 

 

2. Discuss Basil Howard and analyze his relationship with Dorian and his reaction to his painting of Dorian Gray.  Note the contrast between Lord Henry and Basil, who symbolizes truth, friendship, and conscience fro Dorian.

 

3. Prediction: What will be Lord Henry’s influence on Dorian Gray?

 

Chapter Two

1. Analyze the symbolism of Dorian Gray’s first appearance in the novel and discuss his physical description, his actions toward Basil, and the change in him when Lord Henry arrives.  Note the references to Music.

 

2. Examine the interaction between Lord Henry and Dorian.

 

3. Cause/Effect: Examine Dorian’s response to his finished Portrait.

 

4. Compare and Contrast Basil and Lord Henry and discuss their conflict.

 

5. Prediction: How will Dorian’s friendship with Lord Henry change his relationship with Basil?

 

Chapter Three

1. Discuss what is revealed about Dorian’s parentage and the effect it has had on him.

 

2. Analyze Lord Henry’s feelings toward and decision about Dorian.  Note the simile that compares talking to Dorian like playing an exquisite violin.
3. Examine Dorian’s increasing dependence on Lord Henry.

Chapter Four

1. Examine the relationship between Lord Henry and his wife, Victoria, and compare with the relationship between Lord Henry and Dorian.

 

2.  Discuss Sibyl vane, Dorian’s revelation of his love for her, and how Lord Henry feels about the relationship.

 

3. Analyze Lord Henry’s view of women, men, and fidelity.

 

4. Analyze the change in the relationship between Dorian and Basil.

 

5. Prediction: How will Dorian’s engagement to Sibyl change his relationship with Lord Henry?

 

Chapter Five

1. Identify members of Sibyl Vane’s Family and analyze their relationships.

 

2. Examine the reactions of Sibyl, Mrs. Vane, and Jim toward Dorian.

 

3. Examine the universality of the statement, “Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older they judge them; sometimes they forgive them.”

 

Chapters Six and Seven

1. Discuss the reaction of Basil and Lord Henry to Dorian’s announced engagement.

 

2. Discus Dorian’s description of Sibyl and analyze its importance.  Note his statement, “Lips that Shakespeare taught to speak have whispered their secret in my ear.  I have had the arms of Rosalind around me, and kissed Juliet on the mouth.”

 

3. Examine Basil’s analysis of Dorian, based on his statement, “He is not like other men.  He would never bring misery upon anyone. His nature is too fine for that” and the response from Lord Henry and Dorian.

 

4. Discuss what Dorian reveals about his feelings for Sibyl and Lord Henry’s response.

 

5. Analyze events the night Dorian takes Basil and Lord Henry to the theatre to see Sibyl.  Discuss Dorian’s “true love.”

 

6. Discuss the significance of the changes in Dorian’s portrait after his confrontation with Sibyl and the effect on him.

 

Chapters Eight and Nine

1. Discuss events the morning after Dorian’s rejection of Sibyl.

 

2. Refer to the legend of Narcissus.  Compare and contrast Dorian’s self-love with that of Narcissus and Narcissus’ treatment of Echo with the way Dorian has treated Sibyl.

 

3. Compare and contrast the reactions of Lord Henry and Basil to Sibyl’s death.

 

4. Analyze the conversation between Dorian and Basil about the portrait and why Basil has changed his mind about exhibiting it.

 

Chapters Ten and Eleven

1. Analyze Dorian’s concealment of the portrait and the meaning of the sentence, “what the worm was to the corpse, his sins would be to the painted image on the canvas.”

 

2. Discuss the yellow book Lord Henry sends to Dorian.

 

3. Examine the two sides of Dorian and the effect of his decline on the portrait.

 

4. Identify and discuss the significance of the variety of things with which Dorian attempts to satisfy his worship of his senses.

 

 

5. Analyze why Dorian is drawn to the power of the jewels and what they symbolize.

 

6. Examine the overpowering fear that grips Dorian and the influence the yellow book has on him.

 

Chapters Twelve and Thirteen

1. Discuss Dorian’s fateful meeting with Basil.

 

2. Examine the cause and effect of Basil’s viewing of Dorian’s “soul.”

 

3. Prediction: Why does Dorian send for Alan Campbell?

 

Chapter Fourteen

1.  Examine the effect of Basil’s death on Dorian and the significance of his reaction.

 

2. Discuss Dorian’s acquaintance with Alan Campbell and its significance to the plot.  Analyze the specific nature of their relationship.

 

3. Analyze the interchange between Dorian and Alan.

 

4. Discuss the causes/effects of Alan’s visit to Dorian.

5. Analyze the symbolism of what Dorian sees in the portrait after he murders Basil.

Chapters Fifteen and Sixteen

1. Discuss the significance of the dinner party Dorian attends.

 

2. Analyze the irony of Lady Narborough’s statement to Dorian, “Lord Henry is wicked…but you are made to be good – you look so good.”

 

3. Study Dorian’s application of the notion, “To cure the soul by means of the senses, and the senses by means of the soul.”

4. Discuss the significance of Dorian’s visit to the opium den.

 

5. Discuss the effect when the woman calls Dorian “Prince Charming” and examine the resulting events.

 

Chapters Seventeen and Eighteen

1. Analyze why Dorian calls Lord Henry “Prince Paradox.”

 

2. Discuss Lord Henry’s views of art, love, and religion and whether or not these views make him a skeptic.

 

3. Summarize the events at Selby and examine their significance to the plot.

 

4. Analyze Lord Henry’s reaction to the accidental shooting of what is presumed to be a “beater” and what this reveals about him.

 

Chapters Nineteen and Twenty

1. Discuss Dorian’s resolution and analyze his self-righteousness.  Brainstorm on whether or not Dorian can reform.

 

2. Analyze Dorian and Lord Henry’s conversation about Basil.

 

3. Analyze Lord Henry’s reference to, “What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?”  Discuss Dorian’s response.

 

4. Examine Lord Henry’s discourse on life, and Dorian’s response.

 

5. Analyze Dorian’s summation of his life and the implications.

 

6. Analyze Dorian’s reaction to his final viewing of the portrait and what this leads him to do.  Brainstorm about what actually happens in the final scene.

 

Post-reading Questions

1. Discuss the symbolism of the following characters: Dorian Gray, Lord Henry Wotton, Basil Hallward, Sibyl vane, James Vane.

2. Compare/Contrast the legend of Narcissus and Echo with the story of Dorian and Sibyl.

 

3. Analyze the way in which Lord Henry manipulates Dorian.  Note the reference to a violin.

 

4. Discuss how Dorian’s life might have been different if Basil Hallward had been his mentor instead of Lord Henry.

5. Examine the themes of the novel and how they are developed.

 

6. Analyze whether or not Lord Henry and Dorian Gray are involved in a relationship.

 

7. Speculate on the contents of the yellow book and whether or not Dorian’s sins are the same as those in the book.

8. Analyze Dorian’s absorption with his portrait.

 

9. Analyze the importance of Sibyl Vane’s role.

 

10. Discuss the symbolism of the following: white narcissus, portrait, theatre, opera, yellow book, mirror, opium den, purple drapes.

11. Discuss the Faust legend and compare with the novel.  Examine the resolution of both plots.

 

12. Examine James Vane’s role and whether or not the events beginning with the scene in the opium den are plausible.