The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapters 1-4

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Who is Basil Hallward?

Basil Hallward is an artist who painted the portrait of Dorian Gray.

What completely captures Lord Henry Wotton's attention when he visits Hallward's studio?

Lord Henry Wotton's attention was completely captured by the painting of Dorian Gray.

What reason does Basil give for not wanting to exhibit his painting of Dorian Gray?

Basil does not want to exhibit his painting because he feels there is too much of himself in the painting and it reveals the secrets of his soul.

What does Basil believe are the only two eras of importance in the world's history?

Basil believes that the only two eras of importance in the world's history are someone's conscience and cowardice. Signup and view all the answers

Basil believes that his landscape painting is the finest work he's ever done. To what does he attribute this success?

Basil attributes his success to Dorian Gray because he was sitting next to Basil while painting the landscape. Signup and view all the answers

Why doesn't Basil want to introduce Lord Henry to Dorian Gray?

Basil thinks Lord Henry is a bad influence on Dorian Gray. Signup and view all the answers

What does Lord Henry claim is 'the aim of life'?

Lord Henry claims that self-development is 'the aim of life'. Signup and view all the answers

According to Lord Henry, what is 'the only way to get rid of a temptation'?

Lord Henry believes that the only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it. Signup and view all the answers

What does Dorian Gray so desperately wish for that he 'would give [his] soul' to have it come true?

Dorian Gray would give his soul just to stay young forever. Signup and view all the answers

To what does Basil attribute Dorian's negative reaction to his painting?

Basil attributes Dorian's reaction to Lord Henry's negative influence. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Dorian Gray's father?

Dorian's father was killed in a duel rumored to be set up by Dorian's grandfather. Signup and view all the answers

What exercise does Lord Henry find 'terribly enthralling'?

Lord Henry is enthralled with the exercise of influence. Signup and view all the answers

What advice does Lord Henry give the Duchess when she asks how she can become young again?

Lord Henry tells her that the secret of being young is to repeat the follies of her youth. Signup and view all the answers

Who claims that Lord Henry is 'extremely dangerous' yet still wishes to hear more of Henry's 'philosophy of pleasure'?

Mr. Erskine claims that Lord Henry is 'extremely dangerous' yet still wishes to hear more of his philosophy. Signup and view all the answers

When Dorian Gray is reminded that he promised to visit Basil Hallward, where does Dorian go instead?

Dorian goes to the park with Lord Henry instead of keeping his promise to visit Basil. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Victoria?

Victoria is Lord Henry's wife. Signup and view all the answers

With whom does Dorian Gray fall in love?

Dorian falls in love with Sibyl Vane, an actress. Signup and view all the answers

What does Lord Henry tell Dorian Gray is 'the real secret of life'?

Lord Henry tells Dorian that 'the real secret of life' is the search for beauty. Signup and view all the answers

To where does Dorian want Henry and Basil to accompany him?

Dorian wants Henry and Basil to come to the theatre to see Sibyl Vane play Juliet. Signup and view all the answers

What news is in the telegram that Lord Henry receives from Dorian?

Dorian telegrams Lord Henry saying that he is engaged with Sibyl Vane. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Characters and Relationships

Basil Hallward is an artist who creates the portrait of Dorian Gray, deeply revealing his soul and personal secrets through his artwork.
Lord Henry Wotton captivates by the portrait of Dorian Gray, leading to significant developments in Dorian's character.
Dorian Gray's father was killed in a duel, an event tied to Dorian's family's history and influence.

Themes and Philosophy

Basil refuses to exhibit his painting of Dorian due to its personal significance, fearing it exposes his innermost self.
Lord Henry promotes the idea that the aim of life is self-development, emphasizing individual exploration and pleasure.
Lord Henry believes yielding to temptation is the only way to overcome it, highlighting his hedonistic worldview.

Dorian Gray's Desires and Changes

Dorian expresses a desire for eternal youth, wishing he would give his soul to maintain his youthful appearance forever.
Dorian initially reacts negatively to his portrait, influenced by Lord Henry's perspectives, which steers his internal conflict.
Dorian falls in love with Sibyl Vane, an actress, signifying his romantic pursuits and involvement in the theater.

Influence and Consequence

Basil worries that introducing Lord Henry to Dorian will result in a negative influence on Dorian’s character.
Lord Henry finds the exercise of influence over others to be enthralling, showcasing his manipulative tendencies.
Despite cautioning against Lord Henry, Mr. Erskine shows intrigue in Lord Henry’s philosophies regarding pleasure and life.

Plot Developments

Dorian neglects his promise to visit Basil Hallward, choosing to spend time with Lord Henry instead.
Dorian invites Basil and Lord Henry to the theater to see Sibyl Vane perform as Juliet, indicating his deepening feelings for her.
Lord Henry receives a telegram from Dorian revealing he is engaged to Sibyl Vane, marking a pivotal moment in Dorian's life choices.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz focuses on the first four chapters of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'. Test your knowledge on key characters like Basil Hallward and Lord Henry Wotton, along with significant events and themes introduced early in the novel.