Chapter 8-10 (The Picture Of Dorian Gray)

CHAPTERS 8-9
Dorian learns from Lord Henry that Sibyl is dead, apparently a suicide. As Lord Henry urges him not to weep for Sibyl but to go on with his life, Dorian begins to bnlame sibyl for her “selfishness.” Dorian makes a fateful choice to enjoy all the pleasures of life and let his portrait bear the burden of his shame. Basil observes the change in Dorian. When Basil tells Dorian he wants to display the portrait in Paris, Dorian becomes angry and vows to have nothing more to do with Basil if he ever looks at the portrait.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Discuss events the morning after Dorian’s rejection of Sibyl.
The morning after, Dorian realizes that the painting had definitely been altered. The marks around his mouth had never been there before. The he decides he shall marry her but then is told Sibyl killed herself. He cries at first, but, the lovely Lord Henry makes him stop and get over it.

What is the legend of Narcissus? Compare and contrast Dorian’s self-love with that of Narcissus and Narcissus’ treatment of Echo with the way Dorian has treated Sibyl.
Dorian is in love with himself. He sits in front of the portrait for hours just looking at himself. Narcissus is a man in which many women fell in love for. However he spurned their advances. One goddess made him fall in love with his reflection for the rest of his life. The Narcissus flower grew where his body died.

Compare and Contrasts the reactions of Lord Henry (LH) and Basil to Sibyl’s death.
Basil regretted the way they acted the night before as Lord Henry took the news calmly.

Analyze the conversation between Dorian and Basil about the portrait and why Basil has changed his mind about exhibiting it.
Dorian won't allow Basil to see the portrait because he is afraid he'll notice the changes on it. So he threatens to end their friendship if he continues insisting.

Analyze Dorian’s concealment of the portrait and the meaning of the sentence, “What the worm was to the corpse, his sins would be to the painted image on the canvas”.
He symbolically covers the portrait with a large, purple satin coverlet such as might have served as a covering for coffin. He knows that, just as worms destroy a corpse, his own sins will destroy his image in the portrait, marring its beauty and eating away its grace. Unlike a corpse, however, the portrait will always be alive. He hides the picture in the room where he spent much of his lonely childhood. Ironically, he recalls his purity as a child in contrast to the sins the portrait reveals.

Discuss the yellow book Lord Henry sends Dorian?
The yellow book is about the sins of the world.

Identify and discuss the significance of the variety of things with which Dorian attempts to satisfy his worship of the senses.
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Analyze why Dorian is drawn to the power of the jewels and what they symbolize.
The jewels hide Dorian's imperfections.

Examine the overpowering fear that grips Dorian and the influence the yellow book has on him.

CHAPTER 10

Identify and discuss the significance of the variety of things with which Dorian attempts to satisfy his worship of the senses.

What does the following quote means: "What the work was to the corpse, his sins would be to the painted image on the canvas.....And yet the thing would still live. It would be always alive" (pg. 153).

What is it about Dorian that seems to charm everybody? Why?

What does Dorian decides to do with the portrait and why?

Once again, what are the 7 deadly sins and identify any within this chapter.

What other sins has he comitted to cause change to the picture?

What gift does Lord Henry give to Dorian and does it have any influence on Dorian? What is the
novel about?

What is Dorian reaction to the "inquest on an actress."