The Picture of Dorian Gray Summary

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What motivates Dorian to end his engagement with Sibyl Vane?

He is influenced by Lord Henry's views on relationships

He realizes he is not truly in love with her (correct)

He becomes tired of her profession as an actress

He is angered by her refusal to heed her brother's warnings

Why does Dorian decide to hide his portrait in a remote upper room of his house?

To display it as the centerpiece of his home

To remind himself of his sinful acts

To ensure no one sees its transformation (correct)

To protect it from theft

How does Dorian react when Basil Hallward confronts him about the rumors regarding his reputation?

He confesses to all his sins

He kills Basil in a fit of rage (correct)

He seeks Basil's advice on how to improve his reputation

He ignores Basil's accusations and continues with his lifestyle

What pushes Dorian to visit an opium den after the murder of Basil Hallward?

To escape from the guilt and fear haunting him Signup and view all the answers

Why does Dorian feel safe after the accidental killing of James Vane?

He believes he has escaped all consequences of his actions Signup and view all the answers

What leads Dorian to attempt to destroy his portrait with a knife?

Seeing the painting reflect his true, aged self Signup and view all the answers

Why does Dorian Gray become a disciple of the 'new Hedonism'?

Due to Lord Henry's influence Signup and view all the answers

What disappoints Basil Hallward about his first portrait of Dorian Gray?

It reveals too much of Basil's feeling for his subject. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Lord Henry Wotton in the context of the text?

A famous wit who celebrates youth and pleasure. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Basil Hallward introduce Dorian Gray to Lord Henry Wotton with reluctance?

He fears Lord Henry will damage Dorian's impressionable nature. Signup and view all the answers

What upsets Dorian Gray during his first conversation with Lord Henry?

Lord Henry's speech about the transient nature of beauty and youth. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Dorian curse his portrait and make a distressful pledge?

Due to the fear of losing his youth and beauty. Signup and view all the answers

What does Basil often depict Dorian as in his portraits?

An ancient Greek hero or mythological figure. Signup and view all the answers

How does Lord Henry view Basil's portrait of Dorian?

'Basil's masterpiece.' Signup and view all the answers

What is one of Lord Henry Wotton's favorite topics to discuss?

'The transient nature of beauty and youth.' Signup and view all the answers

'Dorian sits for several portraits' means that:

'Dorian posed for numerous paintings.' Signup and view all the answers

In Oscar Wilde's novel, 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' what serves as a mysterious mirror to show Dorian the physical dissipation his own body has been spared?

Basil's painting Signup and view all the answers

What does Basil believe should characterize all art, according to the text?

Conscious, ideal, and remote Signup and view all the answers

What philosophy of art did Oscar Wilde live by?

Aestheticism Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest are the valuable commodities in a society that prizes beauty highly?

Youth and physical attractiveness Signup and view all the answers

What is of utmost importance at the end of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'?

Beauty and youth Signup and view all the answers

What allows Dorian to abandon his morals without censure in the novel?

'Innocence' and 'purity' of face Signup and view all the answers

What does Lady Narborough emphasize when discussing Dorian's goodness?

'Appearance' over 'ethics' Signup and view all the answers

What principle does aestheticism, the philosophy of art by which Oscar Wilde lived, prioritize?

'Art should only serve beauty' Signup and view all the answers

'The Picture of Dorian Gray' suggests that society founded on a love of surfaces values what over goodness?

'Physical attractiveness' Signup and view all the answers

'The Picture of Dorian Gray' portrays a society where what matters most is not whether a person is good at heart but rather...

'Their physical appearance' Signup and view all the answers

What was the Victorians' belief about the purpose of art?

To serve as a tool for social education and moral enlightenment Signup and view all the answers

What was the main motivation behind the aestheticism movement?

Free art from social responsibility Signup and view all the answers

In the context of The Picture of Dorian Gray, who embodies the contempt for bourgeois morality?

Lord Henry Signup and view all the answers

What is the main theme regarding influence in the novel?

Sacrificing oneself to influence leads to destruction Signup and view all the answers

What did Oscar Wilde's preface in The Picture of Dorian Gray emphasize about the purpose of art?

Art should be beautiful without any other purpose Signup and view all the answers

How does Lord Henry view the concept of influence in the novel?

As enthralling and powerful Signup and view all the answers

How did aestheticism differ from the Victorian view on art's purpose?

Aestheticism sought to free art from social responsibility Signup and view all the answers

Who was the major proponent of the aestheticism movement in the context of the text?

Lord Henry Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate consequence of Basil's idolatry towards Dorian?

His own downfall and murder Signup and view all the answers

What is illustrated by the phrase 'every word seems designed to shock the ethical certainties' in reference to Lord Henry?

He challenges the conventional morals of his time Signup and view all the answers

How does the novel view the act of sacrificing one's self to another?

As a censured act leading to destruction Signup and view all the answers

In The Picture of Dorian Gray, which character symbolizes the belief that art need not possess any purpose other than being beautiful?

Lord Henry Signup and view all the answers

What role does Dorian's devotion to Lord Henry's hedonism play in his downfall?

It precipitates his own downfall Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Victorian sensibility regarding art from that of aestheticism, as mentioned in the text?

Victorians viewed art as a tool for social education, while aestheticists focused on moral enlightenment. Signup and view all the answers

How does the novel perceive individualism?

As the uncompromised expression of self Signup and view all the answers

What is the central message regarding sacrificing one's self to a work of art?

It often results in personal destruction Signup and view all the answers

Based on the text, what is Lord Henry's role in representing aestheticist ideals?

He challenges middle-class morals and promotes beauty in art. Signup and view all the answers

How does Lord Henry's fascination with influence affect his relationships with others?

It leads to toxic and manipulative interactions Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of Dorian's devotion to the yellow book?

He faces his own downfall Signup and view all the answers

How does the novel portray the act of becoming under the sway of influence?

As something enthralling but ultimately destructive Signup and view all the answers

The Picture of Dorian Gray Summary

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Questions and Answers

What motivates Dorian to end his engagement with Sibyl Vane?

Why does Dorian decide to hide his portrait in a remote upper room of his house?

How does Dorian react when Basil Hallward confronts him about the rumors regarding his reputation?

What pushes Dorian to visit an opium den after the murder of Basil Hallward?

Why does Dorian feel safe after the accidental killing of James Vane?

What leads Dorian to attempt to destroy his portrait with a knife?

Why does Dorian Gray become a disciple of the 'new Hedonism'?

What disappoints Basil Hallward about his first portrait of Dorian Gray?

Who is Lord Henry Wotton in the context of the text?

Why does Basil Hallward introduce Dorian Gray to Lord Henry Wotton with reluctance?

What upsets Dorian Gray during his first conversation with Lord Henry?

Why does Dorian curse his portrait and make a distressful pledge?

What does Basil often depict Dorian as in his portraits?

How does Lord Henry view Basil's portrait of Dorian?

What is one of Lord Henry Wotton's favorite topics to discuss?

'Dorian sits for several portraits' means that:

In Oscar Wilde's novel, 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' what serves as a mysterious mirror to show Dorian the physical dissipation his own body has been spared?

What does Basil believe should characterize all art, according to the text?

What philosophy of art did Oscar Wilde live by?

What does the text suggest are the valuable commodities in a society that prizes beauty highly?

What is of utmost importance at the end of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'?

What allows Dorian to abandon his morals without censure in the novel?

What does Lady Narborough emphasize when discussing Dorian's goodness?

What principle does aestheticism, the philosophy of art by which Oscar Wilde lived, prioritize?

'The Picture of Dorian Gray' suggests that society founded on a love of surfaces values what over goodness?

'The Picture of Dorian Gray' portrays a society where what matters most is not whether a person is good at heart but rather...

What was the Victorians' belief about the purpose of art?

What was the main motivation behind the aestheticism movement?

In the context of The Picture of Dorian Gray, who embodies the contempt for bourgeois morality?

What is the main theme regarding influence in the novel?

What did Oscar Wilde's preface in The Picture of Dorian Gray emphasize about the purpose of art?

How does Lord Henry view the concept of influence in the novel?

How did aestheticism differ from the Victorian view on art's purpose?

Who was the major proponent of the aestheticism movement in the context of the text?

What is the ultimate consequence of Basil's idolatry towards Dorian?

What is illustrated by the phrase 'every word seems designed to shock the ethical certainties' in reference to Lord Henry?

How does the novel view the act of sacrificing one's self to another?

In The Picture of Dorian Gray, which character symbolizes the belief that art need not possess any purpose other than being beautiful?

What role does Dorian's devotion to Lord Henry's hedonism play in his downfall?

What distinguishes Victorian sensibility regarding art from that of aestheticism, as mentioned in the text?

How does the novel perceive individualism?

What is the central message regarding sacrificing one's self to a work of art?

Based on the text, what is Lord Henry's role in representing aestheticist ideals?

How does Lord Henry's fascination with influence affect his relationships with others?

What is the consequence of Dorian's devotion to the yellow book?

How does the novel portray the act of becoming under the sway of influence?

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