The Picture of Dorian Gray
Ch. 1-4
1. Why does Lord Henry insist that Basil should exhibit his painting of
Dorian Gray, and what does this suggest about Lord Henry’s value
system?
2. How do Lord Henry’s comments on marriage support the novel’s motif
of leading a double life?
3. What is Lord Henry’s assessment of upper class involvement in
philanthropy?
4. What does Basil’s hesitation to introduce Lord Henry and Dorian to
each other reveal about both Basil and Lord Henry?
5. What is Lord Henry’s opinion on the nature of influence?
6. To what extent does Lord Henry’s discussion of society reflect Wilde’s
criticism of Victorian culture? (Ch.2)
7. How does Lord Henry’s assessment of the relationship between
beauty and genius exemplify the principals of the Aesthetic movement?
8. Why is Dorian upset when Basil finishes the portrait, and how does
he enter into a Faustian Pact with it?
9. What is ironic about Lord Henry’s assertion that “Philanthropic people
lose all sense of humanity”?
10. How do Lord Henry’s comments about Sibyl exemplify traditional
late 18th century notions about gender?