Erin's Discussion Prompts for June 23rd

Erin’s Discussion Questions for June 23, 2011 The Picture of Dorian Gray: Part Two (pgs. 71-125)

1.	In the start of this passage, Dorian rejects Sybil after her bad performance. When the comment is made that “all art is but a reflection” (pg. 75), how does that comment align with the statement made in the preface that “all art is quite useless”? How does this connect the theme of reflection in regards to Dorian’s picture and his lasting appearance of youth?

2.	In regards to the death of Sybil, how does Dorian’s reaction affect the reader’s perception of his character? Has experience tainted his innocence and youthful appeal? What do you make out of Dorian fascination with sin? Has he accepted it as normal, and do you think that Lord Henry has influenced him to relish in his sinful ways?

3.	Speaking of sin, how does religion play into Dorian’s idea of conscience, the soul, and the power of prayer? Can we see Wilde in Dorian’s exploration into different types of religion, like Catholicism and mysticism? What can we make of the two different prayer scenes?

4.	Dorian believes the portrait to represent the image of his soul. What are the many ways that Dorian (and Wilde) describes the soul? What is its role?

5.	In this passage, Dorian finds his life story in everything from the past and in literature. What is the significance of Dorian’s appeal to his senses (through fashion, music, jewels, flowers and colour)? Is Dorian trying on new identities?

6.	As Dorian gets older, he takes up many forms of disguises. How is the theme of secrets reveal Dorian’s character? How do others react to his new interests and behaviors? What do you make of Dorian’s relationship with society, as well as his close friends Basil and Lord Henry?

7.	Is there a connection between the role of women and the role of youth in the minds of Dorian and Lord Henry? How can we make a connection between the gaps of time when Dorian was a youth himself, to the time he is “corrupting” youth? Had Dorian become to Sybil what Lord Henry was to Dorian? In other words, can we see the theme of a protégé like we see in “The Portrait of W.H.”?

8.	At the end, Dorian is overcome with obsessive behaviors when trying to keep the secret of portrait hidden. Does the revealing of his secret (or essentially baring his soul) lead Dorian to kill Basil? Should Dorian be pitied?