Remember Dorian’s words from earlier that the portrait would
become the ‘visible emblem of conscience’ for him…(pg 107)
Now consider the following:
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Why does he hesitate over Lord Henry’s letter to him but
then ‘put it aside’?
How does this inform the reader of Dorian’s intentions
going forward?
What is the importance of this letter to the plot?
Consider the genuineness of his letter to Sibyl – how is this
an example of DRAMATIC IRONY? What has the reader
already figured out?
What is DRAMATIC IRONY?
Consider Henry’s Dorian’s
reaction to the news of her death:
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Consider Dorian’s realization of the changes in the
picture:
The screen seems to have ‘concealed the secret of a
man’s life’ (pg 110).
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Link to page 112 -
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Refer to page 111
They plan an evening out – Dorian notices that the world
continues as normal.
He rejoices at having written his first ‘passionate love-letter’
to a ‘dead girl’ (pg 115) – comment on the mood around his
realization.
Note the sense of relief that he did not end up marrying her –
what is Henry’s idea of what may have happened to Dorian?
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(bottom
page 115)
Might there be another moment of moral insight shown by
Dorian here (pg 115)?
We are once again reminded of the NARCISSISM of these
two men – ‘… women appreciate cruelty…’(pg 119)
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Why does he feel the need to lock doors before
moving the screen?
What is confirmed to him once he looks at the
picture again?
Explain why he might look upon the picture
with ‘almost scientific interest’? Where else
have we had mention of a scientific study?
Explain his connection made between science and the soul.
Why does this connection leave him in ‘sickened horror’?
Find evidence that could indicate a moment of moral insight by Dorian at this point.
Chapter 8
Dorian returns to the picture again – Why? What does he hope to
see?
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Figures out when the change in the picture must have taken place – feels
it is Sibyl who ‘had atoned for everything, by the sacrifice she had made of
her life.’ (pg 121). Is this NARCISSISM? How is this helping the reader to
form an opinion of him?
He reaches a crisis point – What does he decide? How will he live his life?
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As the plot progresses:
Whenever Dorian commits an unspeakable act, he can later be found engaging in
delightful but shallow social activities.
For interest’s sake – take a look at:
By including this detail, Wilde emphasises that Dorian truly does not feel sorry for his
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terrible behavior.