Dorian Gray Chapter 16 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

How are Gothic elements used in this chapter?

He uses similes like 'the moon hung low in the sky like a yellow skull', describes people moving like monstrous marionettes, and the street as narrow and gloomy, mainly through evocative settings.

Where was Dorian going?

He was headed to the slums of London.

Why was Dorian going here?

Dorian was going here for 3 days in hopes of forgetting what he had done.

What threatens Dorian's aestheticism?

He craves ugliness as his new reality to forget the ugliness of his soul. Signup and view all the answers

Who does Dorian meet there?

Adrian Singleton. Signup and view all the answers

How had Dorian ruined this man?

Dorian corrupted this man, leaving him an outcast addicted to opium. Signup and view all the answers

Why could Dorian not stay in the same den as this man?

He was unable to stay as his conscience reminds him of the devastation and evil that he has caused. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how Dorian reacts to the lady who he has also ruined.

He tells her not to talk to him and throws a tantrum, then gives her money to leave. Signup and view all the answers

What two names does she call him? How is this effective?

'Devil's bargain' and 'prince charming'. Signup and view all the answers

Show that Dorian briefly experiences pity for the man that he sees.

He feels sorry for Adrian but quickly becomes indifferent and cruel. Signup and view all the answers

How does Wilde include the reader in this chapter?

He uses the pronoun 'us', taking the reader into confidence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the narrator's opinion of Dorian in this chapter?

The narrator describes Dorian as 'callous, concentrated on evil & a soul hungry for rebellion.' Signup and view all the answers

How does Wilde create suspense in this chapter?

He uses sound and sight to create tension, like 'the click of the revolver'. Signup and view all the answers

Who attacks Dorian? Why?

James Vane attacks Dorian to seek revenge for the ruin of his sister's life. Signup and view all the answers

How does Dorian escape from the attacker?

Dorian reveals his face, and James realizes he is too young to be the man who ruined his sister. Signup and view all the answers

What does the lady from the den tell the man who attacked Dorian?

She tells him that Dorian wrecked her life 18 years ago and that he sold his soul to the devil. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gothic Elements

Evocative settings enhance the Gothic atmosphere, featuring dark and shadowy realms.
Similes depict ominous imagery, such as "the moon hung low in the sky like a yellow skull."
Descriptions of people as "monstrous marionettes" and streets as "narrow and gloomy," contribute to the eerie setting.

Dorian's Destination

Dorian is traveling to the slums of London, seeking to escape his past actions.
He plans to spend three days there, hoping to find forgetfulness through opium use.

Consequences of Aestheticism

Dorian's disdain for ugliness transforms into a craving, using his surroundings to mask his inner turmoil.
He believes that embracing ugliness is necessary to cope with his tarnished soul.

Encounters in the Slums

Dorian meets Adrian Singleton, a man he has previously ruined and who is now an outcast due to opium addiction.
Dorian's conscience haunts him, preventing him from staying in the same den as Adrian.

Emotional Turmoil

Dorian reacts childishly when confronted by a woman he has also harmed, initially throwing a tantrum and then giving her money to leave.
She refers to him as "devil's bargain" and "prince charming," highlighting his superficial charm and the consequences of his actions.

Brief Moments of Pity

Dorian experiences fleeting pity for Adrian but quickly retracts, demonstrating his self-centeredness.
His indifference reflects a deeper moral decay, showcasing a lack of empathy.

Reader Engagement

The narrative voice directly addresses the reader with the pronoun "us," creating a sense of intimacy.
Wilde's serious tone relays both condemnation and insight into Dorian's character.

Narrative Condemnation

The narrator believes sinners like Dorian have no true freedom, depicting him as "callous" and focused on evil.
Dorian's rebellion against his conscience is portrayed with a mix of admiration and criticism.

Creation of Suspense

Tension builds as Dorian is threatened from behind, using sensory details like the "click of the revolver" and the sight of the "gleam of a polished barrel."

Attack by James Vane

James Vane seeks revenge for the death of his sister, Sibyl, whose life Dorian ruined 18 years prior, leading to her suicide.
Recognition of the "prince charming" reference triggers James's desire for retribution.

Dorian's Escape

Dorian's youthfulness saves him; James realizes he cannot be the same man who ruined Sibyl, due to his unchanged appearance.

Lady's Revenge Motive

The woman informs James of Dorian's past sins, claiming he sold his soul for beauty and has not changed, fueling her desire for revenge against him.

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Description

Explore the Gothic elements portrayed in Chapter 16 of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'. These flashcards highlight key themes, settings, and character movements in the narrative. Test your understanding of how the author crafts a dark and evocative atmosphere.