DG Chapter 5 Flashcards
Using the information in this chapter, write a few sentences on:
a) Sibyl
b) Sibyl’s mother
c) James Vane
Sibyl: beautiful actress and a loving daughter and sister who lives through
the roles she plays on stage. Off stage she is a naïve young girl who falls in
love with a man she barely knows. She is innocent, sweet, wholesome.
Her mom: She is a faded actress who has consigned herself and her
daughter to a tawdry theatre company. Realistic, down- to-earth as she
wants her daughter to think of her career. However, she sees Dorian as a
wonderful alliance for her daughter because of his wealth. This ulterior
motive clouds her judgement and leaves Sibyl vulnerable.
James: Sailor bound for Australia. He cares deeply for Sibyl and worries
about her relationship with Dorian. He is distrustful of his mother’s
motives; he believes his mother in interested in Dorian’s wealth and this
prevents her from protecting Sibyl (pg. 77) James is hesitant to leave his
sister. He is young, has brown hair, thick-set figure, large hands and feet
and clumsy movement. There was a jealousy in his heart and a fierce
murderous hatred for the man who came between them.
Why was James worried about his sister?
He feels he is leaving his sister at an importune time. He doubts both
Dorian’s intentions and his mother’s ability to protect Sibyl from them. He
is cautious regarding the match.
How does Sibyl’s mother view her daughter’s relationship with Dorian?
An alliance. She hopes her daughter will benefit from his wealth.
Identify the ways in which Wilde develops a foreboding of disaster around
the character Sibyl.
Mrs Vane was ill-treated by a privileged, wealthy man who fathered her
children. Sibyl has fallen in love with a gentleman just as her mother did.
Perhaps the same tragic fate awaits Sibyl.
Discuss the ways in which a possible future danger for Dorian is created.
James warns his mother that if Dorian wrongs his sister, he will track him
down and “kill him like a dog.”
