The Picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wilde Chapter

‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ Oscar Wilde Chapter 5 and 6 3 rd February 2021

Learning Purposes • To recap learning so far • To continue reading, exploring characters, relationships, plot and themes • To write in an academic and controlled fashion

Recap Quiz 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Define hedonism Define hellenism Define stasis What did the Victorians believe about hands? What were the ‘Greeks’ associated with? What does Dorian’s surname mean? What famous phrase is contained in the preface? What does Basil beg Lord Henry not to do in the first few chapters? 9. What is Dorian doing when Lord Henry first meets him? 10. What does Dorian wish upon seeing his portrait? 11. Who is Sibyl Vane? 12. What does Dorian think about her?

Chapter 4 Summary • We find out that every night, Dorian has gone to see Sibyl act. Henry peevishly comments that this explains why Dorian hasn't been paying him enough attention recently (though in fact they see each other every day). • Henry asks Dorian to dinner, but instead, Dorian insists that he has to go see Sibyl perform again. Dorian is in a fit of excitement—Henry notices that something has blossomed within his young friend. • Dorian asks Henry to come to theatre with Basil one night to see Sibyl. He intends to rescue her from the dreadful place she's performing in, and set her up at a posh theatre in the West End (London's equivalent of Broadway). • The friends set their dinner and theatre date for the next day, then digress slightly to talk of Basil—ever since he's been chilling with Henry, Dorian finds Basil a little lacking. • Dorian rushes off to theatre in a tizzy, and Henry stays at home, pondering the wonders of human nature… specifically Dorian's. He muses that Dorian is really his creation, since Henry's influence made the boy what he is now. • Henry goes on to coldly evaluate his "experiment" with Dorian's personality—there's something rather chilling in the way Henry looks at Dorian as a kind of lab rat, through whom he's trying to figure out the workings of the human soul and body. • Finally, Henry gets ready to go out for the evening; as he leaves, he thinks again about Dorian's splendid life, and wonders ominously how it will end. • When Henry gets home that night, he finds a telegram with the news that Dorian and Sibyl are engaged.

Sibyl Vane • Sibyl Vane's name can be broken down into two component parts: "sibyl" means prophetess — Dorian's treatment of Sibyl "predicts" all the relationships that will follow. • "Vane, " her family name, applies more clearly to her mother, Mrs. Vane. • Mrs. Vane’s vanity is apparent in all of her words and thoughts, and readers are often repelled by it.

Chapter 5 As we read, focus on the presentation of Sibyl Vane. Answer the following using quotes. Annotate and prepare first. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. How is Sibyl’s home life presented? How is Sibyl characterised What does Mrs. Vane think about things? What do you discover about James? How does Mrs. Vane respond to this melodrama?

Chapter 6 Explore the significance of the following quotes: Ø‘I never approve, or disapprove, of anything now. It is an absurd attitude to take towards life. ’ Ø‘The reason we like to think so well of others is that we are all afraid of ourselves. ’ Ø‘I have a theory that it is always the women who propose to us, and not we who propose to the women. ’ Ø‘Pleasure is the only thing worth having a theory about. ’ Ø‘I consider that for any man of culture to accept the standard of his age is a form of the grossest immorality. ’ Ø‘Dorian is never annoyed with me’

Chapter 6 As we read, focus on the evolving dynamics of Lord Henry’s, Dorian’s, and Basil’s relationship. ‘Still, your wonderful girl may thrill me. I love acting. It is so much more real than life. ’

Chapter 6 ‘Emotional relationships are central to Gothic Literature. ’ Explore how far you agree with the above statement. Two paragraphs: ØTopic sentence ØEmbedded quote ØExploration and personal interpretations ØAuthorial intentions ØRelevant context