Oscar Wilde's Epigrams and Themes

Study Notes

Oscar Wilde's Epigrams

"There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." (Lord Henry, Chapter 1)
"I make a great difference between people. I choose my friends for their good looks, my acquaintances for their good characters, and my enemies for their good intellects." (Lord Henry, Chapter 1)
"Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing." (Lord Henry, Chapter 4)

Hedonism

"The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it."
"Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul." (Lord Henry, Chapter 2)
"Let nothing be lost upon you. Be always searching for new sensations." (Lord Henry, Chapter 2)

Art

"All art is quite useless." (Oscar Wilde, Preface)
"An artist should create beautiful things but should put nothing of his own life into them." (Basil Hallward, Chapter 1)
"The only artists I have ever known who are personally delightful are bad artists." (Lord Henry, Chapter 4)

Art and Women

Dorian expresses that Sibyl Vane has spoiled the romance of his life, emphasizing that without art, she is nothing but a third-rate actress. (Chapter 7)

Art and Morality

"Art has no influence upon action. It annihilates the desire to act." (Lord Henry, Chapter 19)
"You never say a moral thing, and you never do a wrong thing. Your cynicism is simply a pose." (Basil Hallward, Chapter 1)

Morality

"I like persons better than principles, and I like persons with no principles better than anything else in the world." (Lord Henry, Chapter 1)
"There is no such thing as good influence. All influence is immoral - immoral from the scientific point of view." (Lord Henry, Chapter 2)

Influence

"Don't spoil him. Don't try to influence him. Your influence would be bad." (Basil Hallward, Chapter 1)
Dorian acknowledges the transformative power of influence as he grapples with changes in himself due to Lord Henry's influence. (Chapter 10)

Youth and Immortality

"When one loses one's good looks, whatever they may be, one loses everything." (Lord Henry, Chapter 2)
Dorian desires to maintain all the bloom of boyhood, fearing the loss of his youth. (Chapter 7)

Appearances

Lord Henry remarks on the superficiality of success, highlighting the disconnect between outward appearances and inner attributes. (Chapter 1)
"Sin is a thing that writes itself across a man's face. It cannot be concealed." (Basil Hallward, Chapter 12)

Women and Marriage

Lord Henry cynically argues that marriage requires both parties to live a life of deception. (Chapter 1)
Dorian expresses his desire to celebrate Sibyl as a goddess in a pedestal of golden admiration. (Chapter 6)

Sexuality

"From the moment I met you, your personality had the most extraordinary influence over me." (Basil Hallward, Chapter 9)
In Chapter 10, Dorian's internal drive hints at dark, untapped passions that threaten to surface.

Overall Themes

The interplay of beauty, morality, and the corrupting influence of society pervades the narrative, creating a complex web of relationships and philosophical inquiries.
The contrast between youth and decay serves as a central motif, examining the consequences of a life devoted to the pursuit of pleasure without moral restraint.

Description

Explore the thought-provoking epigrams of Oscar Wilde, focusing on hedonism, art, and society presented through the characters of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'. This quiz delves into key quotes and themes that illustrate Wilde's views on life and aesthetics. Test your understanding of his insightful comments on human nature and the pursuit of pleasure.