The Picture of Dorian Gray By: Oscar Wilde Introduction z z z z z Define beauty Where 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? Explain Would you give up anything to remain young forever? Introduction z z z Published in England in 1890 Deals with psychological horror Shocking and immoral Introduction z Two-sided nature of man • Good and bad • Mirror = reflection • outer or inner nature of man Historical Context z Victorianism – late 19th Century • Emphasis on •Hard Work •Moral acts •Social Responsibility •Material Success Historical Context z Aesthetic Movement • Literary movement in the late 19th Century • Was in response to: • Art should have a social value z “Art for Arts Sake” • Concerned solely with beauty and not with any moral or social purpose Oscar Wilde Oscar Wilde z z z Irish poet, novelist, and playwright Born in Dublin on October 16, 1854 Studied at Magdalen College in Oxford • Focused on aestheticism (the pursuit of beauty) Oscar Wilde z After graduation • Wilde moved to London • Intellectual circles • Witty conversation • Outlandish dress Characters z Dorian 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 Characters z Basil Hallward • Artist • Paints a portrait of Dorian Characters z Lord Henry (Harry) Wotton • 30 years old • Aristocratic man • Friend of Basil Characters z Alan Campbell & Adrian Singleton • Former friends z of Dorian Lord Fermor • Uncle of Lord Henry Wotton Characters z Sibyl Vane • 17 years old • Actress, performs many Shakespearean roles z James Vane • Sibyl’s brother, 16 years old z Mrs. Vane • Sibyl and James’ mother, actress Themes z Youth and Beauty • The portrait (how it effected Dorian’s life) Themes z Youth and Beauty Dorian 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 z Negative Influences • The painting • The yellow book • Lord Henry • Basil Themes Negative 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” Themes Negative Influence • Dorian destroys many lives • Sybil committed suicide • Murdered Basil • Adrian Singleton’s reputation • Blackmailed Alan • James Vane • Kills himself Style z Epigram • Short witty statement • Most were spoken by Lord Henry • A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies” Style z 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 z z z z 1. The opium den 2. The yellow book 3. James Vane 4. The Portrait Symbols z 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 z Opium den • Adrian Singleton • Ruined reputation • Shunned from London society • Goes there to try and deal with his life Symbols z 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 z 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 z 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 z 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.”
