Dorian Gray Chapters 1&2

Question 1

What happens in chapter 1?

Answer 1

Basil Hallward is talking to his friend Lord Henry Wotton, they are talking about Basil’s portrait of Dorian Gray and how he refuses to put it on show; Lord Henry disagrees with Basil’s reason that he has put too much of himself in it.

Question 2

C1 - what other connections can be made with the theme of intellect in the first chapter?

Answer 2

beauty - Lord Henry thinks beauty is better than intellect
Fate - Lord Henry’s PoV that intellect determines fate

Question 3

C1 - what other connections can be made with the theme of the soul in the first chapter?

Answer 3

Basil Hallward -talking about the sitter’s persona
Art - baring soul in art

Question 4

C1 - what other connections can be made to the theme of influence in the first chapter?

Answer 4

Basil Hallward - entranced by Dorian, takes on sitter’s persona sort of.

Question 5

C2 - what quotes portray Dorian before he meets Lord Henry?

Answer 5

“finely-curved scarlet lips.” “frank blue eyes” “crisp golden hair” “all youth’s passionate purity” “air of a young greek martyr”

Question 6

C2 - what quotes portray Dorian after listening to Lord Henry?

Answer 6

“fresh influences at work within him” “some hidden nerve shook” “he felt afraid of him, and ashamed of being afraid

Question 7

C2 - what does Dorian do within this chapter when sitting for Basil’s painting?

Answer 7

he makes a Faustian deal

Question 8

What is A Faustian Deal?

Answer 8

Deal with the devil

Question 9

What is the legend of Faust?

Answer 9

Faust is the protagonist of a German legend
DR Faust was a highly successful scholar yet he was dissatisfied with his life, which leads him to make a pact with the devil.