Dorian Gray Chapters 3&4 Flashcards
C3 - Consider the references to politics in this chapter. Can you link these to disregard for social obligations and responsibility?
Lord Henry’s Uncle is a Tory and is critical of the political process. Margaret Devereux disregard for social regard by marrying a penniless soldier.
How does the theme of influence continue in this chapter?
The theme of influence continues as Dorian stares at Lord Henry throughout the meal. “He would seek to dominate him.” “To project one’s soul into some gracious form.” (Margaret is not influenced).
C3 - At the party, Lord Henry says ‘the only things one never regrets are one’s mistakes’. Do you agree with him? Do you think Lord Henry genuinely believes this or is he trying to construct an image of cynicism?
I think it is true everyone regrets their mistakes –> unless it benefits them. Genuinely think that Lord Henry believes himself.
C3 - what are our impressions of Lord Henry throughout this chapter?
Lord Henry is a man who is described as having delightful and dangerous ideas. I think that Lord Henry has very cynical views about life.
C3 - at the end of the chapter, Dorian dismisses his plans with Basil in order to go to the park with Lord Henry. What do you understand the significance of this action to be?
Dorian is become increasingly interested in Basil’s friend Lord Henry, I also think as Dorian is young he is starting to see Lord Henry as a sort of father figure. At this point Dorian still trusts Basil, so puts his faith in Lord Henry to show him the ways of being an aristocratic gentleman.
C3 - Examine the master/disciple relationship that is being established between Dorian and Lord Henry. What seems to be the reward of this relationship for each of them?
Dorian gets introduced into Victorian society and meets all of Lord Henry’s well established friends, and how to fit in. Whereas Lord Henry gets to teach Dorian and influence him with his theories and complex epigrams; he gets to act like a father figure to Dorian expect he has not raised him.
C4 - what impression of Victoria does the description create? (pg. 46)
Lady Victoria is not a typical woman of society, she is described as keeping her ‘illusions’, as she is in love with romance. Lord Henry’s view of her, views women as a ‘decorative sex’.
Dorian’s love for Sybil is the first time we see a development in his character not directly orchestrated by Lord Henry. What does this suggest about Dorian’s and Lord Henry’s influence?
Lord Henry has not fully influenced Dorian, but it is with Lord Henry’s influence that Dorian goes to the theatre in the first place. Dorian wants to marry Sybil, so he is not fully influenced.
C4 - how is Sybil presented in a fantastical way? Consider links to Shakespeare.
Sybil is an actress and plays a new woman in a different Shakespeare play every night. She takes on a myriad of personas. Dorian is in love with her art (her acting) –> aestheticism. In this chapter Sybil is portrayed through Dorian’s eyes so Sybil is presented in a fantastical way as Dorian is only seeing her acting/his affection for her is for how she acts.
C4- How does Dorian respond to Sybil’s performance ? Examine his behaviour upon being introduced to her? Does her recognise her as another human being?
Dorian’s vision of Sybil - he puts her on a pedestal. I don’t think that Dorian recognises her as another human being as I believe he only appreciates her art.
C4 - Why is it interesting that Sybil describes Dorian as ‘prince charming’?
She likes him - her prince charming who is a gentleman, Dorian loves her beauty. No depth to the relationship.
