similes (dorian) Flashcards
what are similes used for
•helps achieve the aesthetic effect of the language style
in a little private room at the Bristol, Dorian, Lord Henry and Basil are having dinner. what does Dorian tell them about Sibyl’s reaction to him kissing her for the first time
•compares her to “a white narcissus”, not only to show that Sibyl is very beautiful (in Greek myth, Narcissus is extremely beautiful), but also to imply that she’s very pure
however, what happens when sibyl gives a lackluster performance
•dorian discards her ruthlessly
•she begged for forgiveness but ultimately gets rejected. Dorian describes her as being a “trampled flower”
•”A trampled flower “ is adopted to hint at Sibyls tragic end
what underlying connection between each chapter can be perceived through the similes
•when “a white narcissus” is linked with “a trampled flower”, three underlying connection between each chapter can be performed
as “a white narcissus” and “a trampled flower” are both used to describe Sibyl Vane…
•the comparison between a delicate & charming narcissus and a rejected and trampled flower on the ground if so distinct that Dorian’s cruelty can be read
•the fact of Dorian loving her performance (art) more than her can be seen between the lines
as the outset of the novel having heard the tempting words about the hedonistic lifestyle from Lord Henry, what does Dorian express
•expresses his appreciation of Lord Henry
•”flowerlike hands”, “They moved, as he spoke, like the moving hands to music”
what does Dorian display by comparing Lord Henry’s hands to a flower and the moving hands to music
•displays his consent to what Lord Henry preaches.
•Through depicting his charming hands, Wilde wants to convey to us that Dorian is completely attracted by the aesthetics that Lord Henry represents
