Questions for Discussion

Tricia’s Discussion Questions for 06.27.2011

The Picture of Dorian Gray: Part Three (pp. 125-167)

1.	"With every day…I thus drew steadily nearer to the truth: that man is not truly one, but truly two."Oscar Wilde seems to be giving a nod to Stevenson’s work in examining the duality of man. Dorian Gray seems to embody both the potential beauty and viciousness of humanity. Where does the man end and the monster begin? And is there even a monster to begin with?

2.	There is the physical Dorian Gray and the portrait of Gray. Dorian, the man, portrays himself as the most confident of youths, but the disconnect from his emotions makes him more of an automaton than a man. In contrast, the painting of Dorian represents the beast within and all that Dorian wants to keep hidden. Could this be his more human side? What does this say about the darkness of the soul and what even a good-natured person can do?

3.	Dorian uses Alan Campbell blackmail for his own selfish purposes despite the obvious discomfort and pain it caused Alan. What does this say about Dorian that he attacks those around him who try to force him into maturity? Is he merely the scared Peter Pan who never wants to grow up, or is it something infinitely more sinister?

4.	Dorian reflects on the pain he has caused those around him, specifically Adrian Singleton and whether or not he is responsible. Has Dorian changed from the naïve, blushing schoolboy into the corruptor of youths himself, very much reminiscent of Harry? What does this say about man that we can be so easily tempted in our own state of naivety by youths of equal innocence?

5.	“He was determined that he would not think about what had happened until it became absolutely necessary that he should do so” (126). What does this say about Dorian that he is so determined to remain guilt/pain-free that he will suppress all emotions? Does this serve as a commentary on the cowardice of youths? If so, does youthfulness equate to vanity and vanity to selfishness?

6.	Oscar Wilde is famously known for living the life of the true aesthete, but his overall stance on the movement in this text seems to be torn. Dorian lives the ultimate example of a pleasurable life and yet meets the most ironic and tragic end. What does this reveal about Wilde’s view on the decadent/aesthetic life? Is there truly a price one has to pay to experience the joys of life?

7.	In true aesthetic fashion, Dorian lives a life devoted to pleasure where beauty is of the utmost importance. His own vanity is severely inflated not only by his recognition of his own beauty but society’s as well. Could Dorian’s crimes be blamed on society and what it required of him to do? What does this say about society and the vanity required to maintain decorum?

8.	Dorian experiences a revelation of carpe diem where he realizes he will do anything to live. What does this say about the selfishness of man to live? Is it, in fact, selfishness or “survival of the fittest”? Where does the line of morality fall when you are the one dictating what type of life is worth living?

9.	Dorian has a moment of self-awareness very close to his untimely, tragic demise. This rare display of human empathy and emotion seems to connect Dorian to his soul. Does this mean that Dorian and the painting are always tied together by some unseen force, or had he truly succeeded at disconnecting from his soul? What is Wilde trying to say about the power of a man’s soul and the connection to identity?