Narrative Assignment (The Picture of Dorian Gray)
After readying the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde), type your answers
to the following 3 questions. The minimum length for each answer is a 300 words
(about a page)—There is no maximum length.
Question1. Choose one of the flowing main characters in the book (Dorian Gray, Lord
Henry Wotton, Basil Hallward) and describe their worldview (conviction set) as you
see it manifest in their actions and interactions. What convictions drive them, form
their moral logic, etc.?
Question2. From the narrative itself, how would you describe Oscar Wilde’s
perception of the moral world? As you read it, what does the author think about
human nature, they way moral codes function in culture, whether society is
essentially moral/immoral, whether morality (as such) exists at all, etc.? I assume no
expertise in late 19th century British literature and culture—I want to hear what you
see when you read this particular story. You many follow any trajectory (or
trajectories) you wish, but provide examples from the novel to explain your
conclusions.
Questions3. Reflecting on the main image in the book (and thus the title of the
book)—Basil’s mysterious portrait of Dorian—what do you think of the relationship
between human character as a matter of internal identity, and human character as
manifest in appearance, action, etc.? In other words, what is the relationship
between “what a person is inside” and how that person manifests themselves in
public, in their employment, in their habits, etc.? Is there a necessary connection
between a person’s deep psychology (their “true self,”etc.) and how that person is
understood by those around them? Fundamentally, what is the relationship between
“being a good person” and “acting and behaving well”, or “being good” and “doing
good”? You may take this question in any direction you wish, but make sure you
reference the novel itself as you explain your conclusion.
Assessment will include clarity of presentation and argument, and appropriate and
accurate references to the text of the novel.