5.
Themes
This section provides a summary of some themes in The
Other themes to note:
Picture of Dorian Gray. More examples are given in the
Chapter Analysis section of the guide.
Themes are not fixed in novel analysis. We have
highlighted some of the common themes in this novel but
as you are reading, you may identify other themes that are
also relevant. Make note of them in the block provided.
• Beauty and youth
• The consequences of negative influence
• Art and life
• Appearance versus reality
• Outer beauty and inner depravity
• Art as a Mirror
• Prejudice
• Hedonism
• Aestheticism
• Addiction
Discussion on themes
Beauty and youth
In the novel’s aesthetic society, youth and beauty are highly valued. Lord Henry says
that “… beauty is the wonder of wonders”. When Lord Henry first makes Dorian
aware that his good looks will fade, Dorian becomes jealous of the portrait. He
realizes that he will age and that the portrait will have the advantage of staying young,
beautiful and flawless forever. This thought prompts Dorian to utter his fateful wish:
“If only it was I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! …
I would give my soul for that!” [Chapter 2, page 33.] At this point he willingly
exchanges his soul for eternal youth, effectively entering into a deal with the devil.
This is also known as a Faustian bargain.
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As the novel progresses, youth is seen as representing innocence. When Basil
confronts Dorian about his lifestyle and the rumors that surround him, he says: “I
don’t believe these rumors at all. At least I can’t believe them when I see you. Sin is
a thing that writes itself across a man’s face.” [Chapter 12, page 171.]
Dorian uses his youthful good looks to fool James Vane when he confronts him at
the docks and wants to shoot him. Dorian convinces Vane that “Prince Charming”
would be a much older man by now. Vane realizes his mistake too late and Dorian
gets away.
Appearance versus reality
Examples of this powerful theme can be found throughout the novel.
Dorian appears to be young, pure and innocent because of his extraordinary good
looks. In reality he is depraved, immoral, selfish and narcissistic. He cares only about
his own pleasure, enjoying life and following his own whims and wishes. He destroys
lives and leaves a string of victims in his wake. Characters who become involved
with Dorian lose their good reputations and fall out of favour with society. Some, like
Sibyl Vane and Alan Campbell, take their own lives.
The refined, wealthy characters in the novel appear to be morally upstanding
members of society. In reality, they look down on middle class values and use their
money to justify poor behaviour and immoral acts.
Dorian’s portrait appears to be Basil’s best work. In reality it is a sickly reminder of
Dorian’s sinful life. Instead of being forever youthful and beautiful, the portrait
deteriorates and degrades, reflecting the destruction of Dorian’s soul.
Prejudice
London society as presented in the novel, is prejudiced in many ways. Dorian and
Lord Henry look down on the theatre where Sibyl performs, as the people who go
there are not as rich as they are. They do not dress up for the theatre and the ticket
prices are low. The Jewish manager is not respected and is described as “the fat Jew
manager … waving his fat jeweled hands and talking at the top of his voice.” [Chapter
7, page 95.] At the time, Christianity was the dominant faith and Jews were not even
permitted to join the gentlemen’s clubs.
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Women suffered a similar fate and were not respected. Lord Henry sees women as
merely “decorative” and has several opinions about the lesser role that women
should play in society. The author characterizes women as shallow and only relevant
in terms of who they marry. For example, when the Duchess of Harley has to leave
a party to meet her husband she says: “If I am late he is sure to be furious, and I
couldn’t have a scene in this bonnet (hat). It is far too fragile. A harsh word would
ruin it.” [Chapter 3, page 51.]
Servants are not treated well and are largely invisible as characters. For example,
when Lord Henry asks Basil for a drink, Basil replies: “Certainly, Harry. Just touch
the bell, and when Parker comes I will tell him what you want.” [Chapter 2, page 28.]
A theme is the
main idea in the story. That is right!
You cannot look at Characters and events
the theme in isolation. in the novel inform and illustrate
the themes.
What is a theme?
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6. Symbols
Symbols are used in literature to represent ideas or qualities.
The picture (painting) This is the most important symbol in the
novel. It represents how corrupt Dorian
becomes as he makes the choice to live a
life inspired only, by his own desires and
pleasures. As the portrait ages, we become
aware of the extent of Dorian’s sinful and
wicked life. Every time he destroys a
reputation or blackmails a former friend, the
picture gets uglier and uglier.
Dorian’s growing paranoia and fear of
discovery are directly linked to the state of
the picture. It is ironic that he does not mind
rumors or speculation about his behavior. It
is the actual ugliness of the portrait that he
fears.
The “yellow book” The book sent by Lord Henry to Dorian after
Sibyl’s death. It is thought to be Karl Joris
Huysmans’ À rebours (Against the grain).
The book contributes to his descent into
corruption.
It is described as “... bound in yellow paper,
the cover slightly torn and the edges soiled”.
[Chapter 10, page 143.]
Later, he asks Lord Henry never to lend it to
anyone else.
Flowers Flowers appear throughout the novel. They
symbolize beauty and how briefly it lasts.
They are a constant reminder of Dorian’s
wish to remain young and beautiful forever.
The abundance of flowers in both Dorian’s
homes reminds us of his easy wealth. He
can afford expensive things and pursues
aesthetic ideals.
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Furniture and fabrics Dorian is surrounded by attractive pieces of
furniture, fabrics, tapestries and objects. His
life is easy and comfortable, propped up by
the luxuries he can so easily buy. The
aesthetic beauty of his surroundings forms
a contrast with the ugly depravity of his life.
After the terrible scene in which he destroys
Sibyl, he wakes up the following afternoon
and his valet, Victor, serves tea on “a small
tray of old Sévres china and (draws) back
the olive-satin curtains, with their
shimmering blue lining …” [Chapter 8, page
109.]
Red and white White is a symbol of purity and innocence.
Sibyl Vane’s dead body is described as
“white” which shows her retained purity.
Red is a symbol of blood. Dorian starts to
see blood-like marks on his painting.
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7. Style
Style refers to how the writer tells the story and the language that he uses. In The
Picture of Dorian Gray, the writer uses sophisticated language which reflects the way
the characters speak. Educated members of the British upper classes at the time
would have been comfortable with the type of language used by Wilde. Many, like
Dorian, were well-educated and familiar with French, Latin and Greek.
• The diction (choice of words) is an important feature of Wilde’s style and
reveals a great deal. For example, the flowery words and descriptions
underpin Dorian’s elaborate lifestyle. At one point, the writer describes him
as: “… reclining in a luxurious arm-chair, in the little library of Lord Henry’s
house in Mayfair.”[Chapter 4, page 54.]
An analysis of the underlined words reveals details about Dorian, his lifestyle and
the people he spends time with.
Dorian has a relaxed, unhurried life, owing mainly to the fact that he has so much
money that he does not have to work. He does not sit in a chair, he reclines, which
is a relaxed way of sitting. The chair is luxurious which means that it is very
comfortable and expensive, again reflecting the wealth that surrounds him. His
friend has a library in his home, a sign of sophistication and the means to afford
many books. Henry is a Lord, a member of the aristocratic class who inherit
wealth and privilege as if it is a right. The fact that Lord Henry has a house in
Mayfair (a high class suburb in London) implies that he has homes elsewhere too.
Dorian himself has two homes: Grosvenor Square in London and Selby Royal in
the countryside.
• The Gothic imagery creates a mood of suspense and expectation, which
adds greatly to the entertainment value of the novel. On the night that Dorian
murders Basil, Dorian is “wrapped in heavy furs, as the night (is) cold and
foggy.” Dorian meets Basil who is going to Paris by the “midnight train”.
[Chapter 12, page 170.] In melodramatic fashion Dorian later tells Basil: “I
shall show you my soul!” [Chapter 12, page 175.]
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• Lord Henry’s paradoxical (confusing) manner of speaking is called epigram.
He speaks in a humorous manner, using words that sound lovely and clever.
On closer analysis, his shocking ideas are revealed. The people around him
do not often challenge his way of thinking because he expresses himself so
well, keeping the mood pleasant and non-confrontational. In reality his
dangerous ideas are poisonous and highly immoral. Most of what he says is
morally dubious. “What nonsense people talk about happy marriages!”
exclaimed Lord Henry. “A man can be happy with any woman, as long as he
does not love her.” [Chapter 15, page 207.]
• When characters do challenge Lord Henry, they do so in a similarly light-
hearted manner and never get angry with him. In response to the comment
above, Lady Ruxton says: “Ah! What a cynic you are … You are really an
admirable tonic …” [Chapter 15, page 207.]
Chapter Analysis Dorian
Gray
Introduction
This section of the study guide contains:
• A summary of what happens and who is involved – the main events and
characters in the chapter.
• The main themes and symbols and some examples of language use in the
chapter.
• Short questions follow each chapter. Suggested answers appear in the
back of the guide.
• Please note that this study guide must be used in conjunction with the
CAPS approved Macmillan Education edition of The Picture of Dorian
Gray.
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