The Picture of Dorian Gray

By: Oscar Wilde

Introduction

Define beautyWhere do people’s opinions of beauty come from?What do people do to attain/keep their beauty?Do you think some people go too far in attaining/keeping their beauty? ExplainWould you give up anything to remain young forever?

IntroductionPublished in England in 1890Deals with psychological horrorShocking and immoral

IntroductionTwo-sided nature of man • Good and bad

• Mirror = reflection• outer or inner nature of man

Historical ContextVictorianism – late 19th Century• Emphasis on

•Hard Work•Moral acts•Social Responsibility•Material Success

Historical ContextAesthetic Movement• Literary movement in the late 19th Century• Was in response to:

• Art should have a social value

“Art for Arts Sake”• Concerned solely with beauty and not with any

moral or social purpose

Oscar Wilde

Oscar WildeIrish poet, novelist, and playwrightBorn in Dublin on October 16, 1854Studied at Magdalen College in Oxford• Focused on aestheticism (the pursuit of beauty)

Oscar WildeAfter graduation• Wilde moved to London

• Intellectual circles• Witty conversation • Outlandish dress

CharactersDorian Gray• 20 years old• His mother was Margaret

Devereux (died when he was young)

• Raised by his grandfather Lord Kelso

• At 21 he will inherit a large sum of money

CharactersBasil Hallward• Artist• Paints a portrait of Dorian

CharactersLord Henry (Harry) Wotton• 30 years old• Aristocratic man• Friend of Basil

CharactersAlan Campbell & Adrian Singleton• Former friends of Dorian

Lord Fermor• Uncle of Lord Henry Wotton

CharactersSibyl Vane• 17 years old• Actress, performs many Shakespearean roles

James Vane• Sibyl’s brother, 16 years old

Mrs. Vane• Sibyl and James’ mother, actress

Themes

Youth and Beauty• The portrait (how it effected Dorian’s life)

Themes

Youth and BeautyDorian gives his soul to remain youthful and

beautiful• “If it were I who was to always be young, an the

picture was to grow old! For that – for that – I would give everything! Yes, there is nothing in the whole world I would not give! I would give my soul for that!”

Themes

Negative Influences• The painting• The yellow book• Lord Henry• Basil

ThemesNegative Influence

• Dorian attempts to live his life according to Lord Henry’s beliefs• “ people should not be afraid of their own desires and

impulses”• “It is better to experience everything the world has to

offer than to spend time worrying about ethics or morals”

Themes• “It is better to seek beauty, in the contemplation of art

and beautiful objects, than to tie up the mind in intellectual concerns and with education”

ThemesNegative Influence

• Dorian destroys many lives• Sybil committed suicide• Murdered Basil• Adrian Singleton’s reputation• Blackmailed Alan• James Vane• Kills himself

StyleEpigram• Short witty statement • Most were spoken by Lord Henry

• A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies”

Style Myth• The fall of man as described in Genesis

• Dorian is an innocent young man (Adam/Eve)• Basil created him with the portrait (God)• Lord Henry tempts him (Serpent)• Dorian is unable to resist temptation

Symbols

1. The opium den2. The yellow book3. James Vane4. The Portrait

Symbols

The opium den• Located in run down section of London• Represents Dorian’s state of mind• He goes there when he feels out of control,

when he wants to forget what he has done• After killing Basil

Symbols

Opium den• Adrian Singleton

• Ruined reputation• Shunned from London society• Goes there to try and deal with his life

Symbols

Yellow Book• French novel • Talks about the outrageous experiences of its

main character• Dorian can identify with the main character• Buys about 12 books, bases his life and

actions on it

Symbols

Yellow Book• Represents the damaging effect art can have

on an individual• Realizes the books effect, tells Lord Henry

never to give it to anyone else

Symbols

James Vane• Oscar Wilde added this character when he

revised the book in 1891• James appears like a “ghost” at Dorian’s

window “like a white handkerchief”• A reminder of the sins he has committed

The Portrait

Tainted Dorian’s view on youth and beauty• “How sad it is! I shall grow old, and horrible

and dreadful. But this picture will remain always young”

• “I am jealous of everything whose beauty does not die”

• “I am jealous of the portrait you have painted of me.”