Questions and Answers
What type of influence is depicted regarding the book Dorian read?
How is youth perceived in relation to age in Dorian's narrative?
Youth is precious.
What kind of face does Dorian see on the canvas?
Evil and agonized face.
What aspect of Dorian's character is emphasized through his vanity?
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What does Dorian aspire to achieve regarding beauty?
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What does Dorian feel about the passage of time on beautiful things?
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What societal belief is expressed regarding the rich?
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Manners are more important than morals in Dorian's world.
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What does it imply when it says Dorian had been poisoned by a book?
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How does Dorian view evil in relation to beauty?
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What emotions does Dorian feel towards the picture?
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What does Dorian's reflection reveal about his fears?
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What does the lonely locked room symbolize in Dorian's context?
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What does Dorian collect to distract himself from his sins?
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What does Dorian believe we all have experienced?
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What imagery is created by the contrast of Dorian's appearance in the mirror?
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Study Notes
Influence of Aestheticism
- Dorian remains significantly influenced by a book, trapped in a cycle of negative thoughts.
- This influence reflects a prison-like imagery signaling his lack of freedom.
Perception of Youth
- Dorian's charm and grace evoke jealousy among peers, highlighting youth's perceived value against societal decay.
Transformation and Vanity
- The portrayal of Dorian in the painting represents his growing heartlessness and arrogance.
- His obsession with beauty evolves into a fixation on the corruption of his soul, displaying extreme vanity.
Aesthetic Ideals
- Dorian embodies aestheticism, seeking perfection through beauty as described by Dante.
- His reflection evokes sadness over the inevitable ruin of beauty, demonstrating a cruel awareness of his own exceptional place.
Society and Morality
- Victorian society favors the wealthy, dismissing detrimental beliefs towards the privileged, reinforcing a morality that values status over ethics.
- Manners overshadow morals in societal importance, highlighting class distinctions.
Irony of Influence
- Dorian's detrimental obsession with a book serves as ironic criticism of Oscar Wilde, suggesting a correlation between literature and moral corruption.
Conflict of Emotions
- Dorian experiences anxiety about separation from his portrait, indicating a budding self-awareness of his actions.
- His conflicted feelings include loathing and pride, embracing sin's allure while avoiding accountability for his actions.
Paranoia and Fear
- Dorian's thoughts about his secret generate profound horror and paranoia about exposure, emphasizing his mental torment.
Contrast of Innocence and Sin
- The reference to Dorian's childhood room contrasts his lost innocence with the corrupting power of his sins, marking a departure from his past.
Escape through Materialism
- Dorian seeks refuge in luxury and material possessions as a distraction from guilt, while simultaneously maintaining a façade of respectability.
Relationship with Sin and Art
- The narrative suggests a shared human experience with sin, linking it to the art of Gothic genre and expressing a distorted acceptance of his actions.
Duality of Self
- The juxtaposition of Dorian’s youthful appearance and the aging painting represents his internal duality.
- The polished glass symbolizes his desire to maintain a perfect exterior, despite the reality of his inner degradation.
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Description
Explore key vocabulary and definitions from Chapter 11 of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'. This quiz delves into the themes of influence, charm, and the dualities of youth and age. Test your understanding of these concepts through flashcards that capture the essence of the chapter.
