DG Chapter 2 Flashcards
Describe Dorian through Lord Henry’s eyes.
“wonderfully handsome, with finely curved scarlet lips, his frank blue eyes,
his crisp gold hair” “all youth’s passionate purity”
How are Dorian and Lord Henry similar in their treatment of Basil?
They both manipulate Basil.
Explain Lord Henry’s words, “nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just
as nothing can cure the senses but the soul” (page 28). Link Lord Henry’s
words to the theme of the importance of one’s soul.
Experiencing beauty through the senses is necessary to enrich and heal the
soul. Mind or soul is necessary to guide sensual experiences. Theme:
Dorian separates his soul from his senses when he wishes to remain young.
This allows him to enjoy unrestrained sensual experiences and wickedness.
Consequences: cruel, murderer.
Note down Lord Henry’s sayings that express his ideas about life. Which of
these saying express Hedonistic ideas?
“I believe if all men were to live out his life fully and completely, were to
give form to every felling, expression to every thought, reality to every
dream – I believe the world would gain such a fresh impulse of joy ….” –
Hedonistic – freedom to arouse pleasure through the senses. “live the
wonderful life that is in you! Be always searching for new sensations. Be
afraid of nothing. The world belongs to you”
How has Lord Henry influenced Dorian in this chapter?
Dorian is conscious of a fresh influence at work in him. Lord Henry had
touched a chord leaving Dorian vibrating and throbbing with curious pulses.
There was a sudden awakening within him. Dorian listened intently “open-
eyed and wondering”. Dorian becomes aware of his own loveliness and its
brevity. After Dorian has realized the importance of his own beauty there is
a shift from innocence to self-involved worldliness.
Note down the contrast and similarities between Lord Henry and Dorian in
this chapter.
Henry: relaxed and disengaged. Dorian: intense and emotional (pouts,
unreasonably irritable, blushes, upset and cries. Henry and Dorian are both
attractive and fascinating to others. They appreciate beauty.
Write down what Lord Henry says to influence Dorian.
He tells Dorian that someday he will be old and wrinkled and ugly. His
forehead will be seared with lines. When his youth goes, his beauty will
fade too. Dorian will then discover that there are no triumphs left for him
and the memory of his past will make him bitter. His face will become
sallow, and hollow-cheeked, and dull-eyed.
What does Dorian wish for in this chapter?
He wishes that the portrait will grow old and he will stay young. “I give my
soul for that!”. He wishes the portrait will change and he will be always
what “I am now.”
What character traits does Dorian reveal in this chapter?
Dorian is a manipulator – manipulates Basil by saying “if Lord Henry Wotton
goes, I shall go too”. Immature and acts spoiled. Vain and narcissistic “I am
in love with it”
How is the portrait personified in this chapter?
Basil wants to destroy the portrait with a long palette-knife. Dorian
stops him crying out that it would be murder.
