Dorian Gray Chapters 7&8 Flashcards
C7 - what were Dorian’s feelings like before the performance?
Elated and in love with Sybil
C7 - What were Dorian’s decisions before the performance?
goes up to sit with Lord Henry and Basil in the theatre box, he rents out. When the performance begins Dorian is applauding her.
C7 - What were Dorian’s feelings during the performance?
he can tell that she is acting badly, questions is she ill/broken? He grew pale and bitter.
C7 - What were Dorian’s decisions during the performance?
Sat and watched until the end of the play, but sat there angrily
C7 - What were Dorian’s feelings after the performance?
Disappointment, anger, sorrow. “You have killed my love.”
C7 - what was Dorian’s decision after the performance?
Acts on his disappointment and rushes to see her, lashes out at her and then goes home and admires his painting; then his moral sense comes back.
C7 - How is the importance of the soul apparent in this chapter? Consider the characters of Dorian and Sybil.
The importance of the soul is apparent as Dorian almost covets Sybil until she performs, and he realises that - his actress/temptress has gone. Sybil’s soul is crushed, by Dorian which shows the fragility of women. Sybil is in love with Dorian. Biblical references.
C7 - How does the chapter, and the importance of the soul, link to chapter 2?
Our soul is what connects us to the supernatural/our choices to be good/evil. In chapter 2 Dorian wishes that his painting could age whilst he remained youthful.
C7 - How is the Supernatural introduced into the text in this chapter?
Sybil is painted as a ‘beautiful creature’ by Lord Henry at the start of the performance. The idea of the theme of flames and morality.
C7 - How does this chapter intensify the sense of Gothic within the novel?
Reference to hellfire –> fire goes from yellow to blue.
C8 - What type of interest does Dorian take in the painting?
Dorian takes a ‘scientific interest’ in the painting. Dorian’s interest becomes immoral, the painting becomes his cruelty.
C8 - Dorian imagines there may be ‘some subtle affinity between the chemical atoms, that shaped themselves into form and colour on the canvas, and the soul that was within him.’ He shudders in fear that there may be a ‘more terrible reason’. Why do you think he gazes as it with ‘sickened horror’?
The painting is somehow connected to him, and it frightens him. Scientifically he is believing the painting is as real and alive as he is and it terrifies him. His soul is revealed to him through the canvas.
C8 - what type of influence does the canvas have on Dorian?
The type of influence that makes him question everything, morally degrading him. “But here was a visible symbol of the degradation of sin”, makes him feel paranoid.
C8 - Before Lord Henry arrives, what does Dorian decide about the painting and it being a ‘visible symbol of the degradation of sin”?
Dorian decides about the painting, that it was an ‘ever present sign of the ruin men brought upon their souls’, shows Dorian fear of Death and the Christian affiliation with sin.
C8 - How are Gothic and Supernatural elements evident in this extract?
Dorian’s soul is somehow connected to the painting.
