I find this book incredibly fascinating because of the way it discusses the effects of sin not only on our soul but on our bodies as well. Other themes that are interesting are the importance people place on beauty, the idea of aestheticism, and the amount of influence people and books have on us. Before you begin reading the book, familiarize yourself with Oscar Wilde, his life and this book. Also research aestheticism. It is a philosophy that Lord Henry adheres to and that greatly influences Dorian Gray.Comprehension Questions
Please answer the questions that are in bold, than choose 3 additional questions to answer. You can answer in the comments section of this post. It would probably be best for you to answer the questions as you go through the reading. It is not necessary to answer them all in one post. Post answers as you have them. I hope the following helps you understand the book better. Before you begin reading each chapter, first read the questions for the chapter.
Chapter 1
How are Basil and Henry’s opinions of Gray different?
Chapter 2
What does Henry mean by “unspotted from the world…”?
There is a monologue about people influencing another that contains the line, “because to influence a person is to give him one’s own soul…” What do you think about that?
Define hedonism. Where is that term used and by who?
What does Dorian wish/pray for?
Chapter 3
Why does Henry desire to influence Dorian?
How do people at the party respond to Henry and his philosophies about life? What type of worldview is he advocating?
Chapter 5
Describe Sibyl Vane. How are her and Dorian different? The same?
What character qualities does Mrs. Vane lack?
Chapter 7
The following quote is very important. “But the picture? What was he to say of that? It held the secret of his life, and told his story. It had taught him to love his own beauty. Would it teach him to loathe his own soul? Would he ever look at it again?” Keep this quote in mind as you read and think about the book.
When does he first notice a change in the portrait?
Chapter 9
Describe the different reactions Henry and Basil have in response to hearing of Sibyl Vane’s death.
Chapter 10
Would we behave differently if we could physically see our soul?
What is the French School of Symbolistes?
Chapter 11
The book Henry gives Dorian greatly influences him? What is greater the influence of a person or a book?
Dorian looks as though he is “unspotted from the world” so people trust him. Are looks deceiving?
What do you think of the last line of this chapter?
Chapter 12
What do you think of Henry’s assertion that, “Sin is a thing that writes itself across a man’s face. It cannot be concealed. People talk sometimes of secret vices. There are no such things.”
What kind of influence does Dorian have on others? Does he prove Henry right when he said, “to influence another is to give him one’s own soul.”
Chapter 19
Henry references Matthew 16:26, “For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Isn’t this book answering that question? What do you think of that?
What do you think of Henry’s view of Dorian’s life?
Chapter 20
Was it the portrait that ruined his life, or the fact that he can actually see his soul?
I will post the essay question next week! Its a good one:)
13 comments:
There is a monologue about people influencing another that contains the line, “because to influence a person is to give him one’s own soul…” What do you think about that?
To influence someone is to impress upon them your own thoughts and opinions. Since our ‘soul’ is mainly comprised of these notions and ideals, we are in a sense transferring our souls to the person we are influencing. But as a responsible individual, it is required of us to have discernment in the matter of taking into affect someone’s opinions or ideals.
How do people at the party respond to Henry and his philosophies about life? What type of worldview is he advocating?
Harry is imparting to the people at the party his hedonistic ideals. These ideals include blocking out all the bad in the world, and only focusing on the 'colour, the beauty, the joy of life.' I think that this is a wrong viewpoint because if we take Harry's advice, we will be come too naive. He also believes that one should obey his or her temptations because he thinks that this is the only way to get rid of the temptation and 're-gain one's youth'.
Great comments Kevin! I especially liked what you said about us needing to be responsible enough to filter through the influences surrounding us. Obviously Harry's influence is a negative one, and if Dorian had seen that he could have avoided a terrible life.
I'm glad you noticed Henry's hedonistic philosophy coming out in the conversation at the party. On the surface it seems he is just being silly, but as we get to know Henry more, we see he really does adhere to this philosophy. In the end it ruins Dorian's life, and others. Not only does this type of philosophy lead to naivete as you suggest, but also to a lack of empathy towards those who are poor, suffering, etc. If we only look for the beautiful in the world, we look past those that need help. In the end we turn into self-absorbed people. If we avoid other's pain, we can take no part in easing it. I see this as the most damaging part of Henry's philosophy.
Great job Kevin!
There is a monologue about people influencing another that contains the line, “because to influence a person is to give him one’s own soul…” What do you think about that? Here Lord Henry is openly discussing influence. The whole paragraph is summed up in this one sentence, “He becomes an echo of someone else’s music, an actor of a part that has not been written for him.” I think he is right by the definition of influence, but don’t adhere to Lord Henry’s ideology.
Define hedonism. Where is that term used and by who? Hedonism: Pursuit of or devotion to pleasure, especially to the pleasures of the senses. This term is used by Lord Henry when discussing life and lifestyle. For the first time in his life, Dorian Gray is told how much influence his life could have on the people of London; a symbol of hedonism. Lord Henry is attempting to persuade him to live a hedonistic lifestyle; to take advantage of his youth to fulfill his fleshly desires.
What does Dorian wish/pray for? Dorian wants the picture to grow old, while his youthful body remains the same. He even declares “I would give my soul for that!” (Meaning everlasting youth)”
Chapter 3
Why does Henry desire to influence Dorian? Lord Henry looks at the life of Dorian Gray as something of an experiment. He is curious to know how his ideas would affect the life of another person.
How do people at the party respond to Henry and his philosophies about life? What type of worldview is he advocating? The majority of the party disagreed but a few were interested to learn more of his theories. In particular, the duchess was fascinated by his views. Sir Thomas thought it dangerous and not worth pursuing. Mr. Erskine thought Henry ought to write a book containing his views. The worldview Lord Henry is advocating is hedonism.
What do you think of the last line of this chapter? It’s very interesting, I have no idea what he is talking about.
What kind of influence does Dorian have on others? Does he prove Henry right when he said, “to influence another is to give him one’s own soul.” According to Basil, Dorian’s friendships with people have been for the destruction and undermining of the other person. His life has been a living testament to the correctness of Lord Henry’s statement.
Chapter 19
Henry references Matthew 16:26, “For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Isn’t this book answering that question? What do you think of that? I think that verse is correct. Dorian possessed all the worldly luxuries life could provide. Yet, ultimately he paid a price in terms of loss of reputation and eventual despair over his sin. He profited nothing. His victories were temporary at best. Life only lasts so long, but the soul lives forever. To me, it is not worth living a short time under the influence of sin, and being tortured forever in hell. No matter what the world has to offer, it does not compare with the eternal riches of heaven.
Was it the portrait that ruined his life, or the fact that he can actually see his soul? The fact that Dorian could actually see his portrait (the reflection of his soul) rotting away forced him to visibly see the degradation of his soul. Whenever he committed a sin he would wonder, “I wonder what my portrait (his soul) looks like now?” He could never escape his sins and the portrait served as a mirror of that universal law. Without Jesus Christ the sins of our past will come around and get us in the end. There is no such thing as dodging the truth when it comes to judgment day.
Chapter 9:
Describe the different reactions Henry and Basil have in response to hearing Sibyl Vane's death.
When the news of Sibyl's death reaches Henry he quickly avoids pity and sadness, and instead convinces himself and Dorian that since Sibyl's life was one of acting, she had no contact with the real world. Therefore her death was not real either. In this way, both Henry and Dorian forget the death of Sibyl far to quickly and are taken as hard, unsympathetic people.
Basil, on the other hand, is shocked and saddened by the news of Sibyl's death. He is disgusted with Henry's disregard in the matter.
Chapter 11
What do you think of the last line in this chapter? '"Ah, you have discovered that?" murmured Lord Henry.'
This is an interesting statement. Henry responds this way when Dorian tells him that there is a difference between being fascinated with something and liking it. It probably has to do with one of Henry's studies on human nature and I honestly have no idea what he means by it.
Chapter 12
What do you think of Henry's assertion that, "Sin is a thing that writes itself across a man's face. It cannot be concealed. People talk sometimes of secret vices. There are no such things."
Henry is correct. When we commit a sin, it is very difficult to hide it. It is a thought that keeps nagging in the back of our minds until we cannot keep it to ourselves any longer.
Chapter 12
What kind of influence does Dorian have on others? Does he prove Henry right when he said, "to influence another is to give him one's own soul"?
Dorian has a negative influence on the people who are unfortunate enough to cross paths with him. His life is a testimony of the statement that Harry used when they first met.
Chapter 19
Henry references Matthew 16:26, “For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Isn’t this book answering that question? What do you think of that?
This verse is parallel to Dorian Grey's life. Although he had everything a man could want, he was still lacking. He tried filling his life with luxuries, friends, music, and books. But in the end, all that mattered was his sin. He was faced with it, and it was so terrible and terrifying that he had to end his life.
What do you think of Henry’s view of Dorian’s life?
When Henry sits down to talk with Dorian, he describes his life to be 'un-marred, exquisite, happy, and flawless. Unfortunately, Dorian's life is the exact opposite. Either Henry refuses to see the bad in Dorian or he is too selfish and self-centered to be worried about his 'best friend'.
Chapter 20
Was it the portrait that ruined his life, or the fact that he can actually see his soul?
The fact that Dorian could see into his soul ruined his life. At first, he was appalled by it's evilness. But eventually he grew to be fascinated with it. No one can handle looking into their own souls. It would be a terrible thing, because no matter how much we ask for forgiveness or cleanse our souls, we are still rooted in evil and that is a terribly ugly thing. We need to rely upon God to help us resist our natural tendencies toward evil. It is the only way we will succeed in this extremely difficult task.
Kevin, I have read the rest of your comments. You have done a really good job interpreting the questions and answering them. You have shown that you understand the plot and characters. Your answers to Chapter 19 and 20 are particularly good. This book does such an incredible job of illustrating the truth in that verse in Matthew. We gain nothing by living like Dorian. Great job tackling question 20 as well. I think your answer is right on target. As Christians are souls are washed clean by Christ, it is always evil, but it is forgiven. Very well done!
Daniel, great job on the comprehension questions! You obviously understood the questions and the plot of the story. One the first question you chose a quote to answer it. Very good choice, that is a perfect quote and sums up the chapter nicely. Henry is right about influence, but his influence on D is negative. You wrote, "His life has been a living testament to the correctness of Lord Henry’s statement." Very true! D proves H right much to B's dismay. You chose great questions to answer. Thank you for not avoiding the more difficult ones. The question for chapter 20 is a complex one. Your answer is very good! You can see what I think in the post "Don't Forget". Overall, you did an excellent job and I am very pleased with your answers!
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