Chapters 1-2

1. Who is Basil Hallward?

2. What completely captures Lord Henry Wotton's attention when he visits Hallward's
studio?
3. Explain why Lord Henry calls Dorian an “Adonis”.
4. “But beauty, real beauty ends where an intellectual expression begins.”
Critically discuss the meaning of these words and Lord Henry’s view of intellect and
beauty.
5. What reason does Basil give for not wanting to exhibit his painting of Dorian Gray?
6. What does Basil believe are the only two eras of importance in the world's history?
7. Basil believes that his landscape painting is the finest work he's ever done. To what
does he attribute this success?
8. Contrast Henry Wotton and Basil Hallward’s influence over Dorian Gray.
9. Why doesn't Basil want to introduce Lord Henry to Dorian Gray?
10. What does Lord Henry claim is "the aim of life"?
11. Comment on Lord Henry Wotton’s perspective about courage.
12. According to Lord Henry, what is "the only way to get rid of a temptation"?
13. Explain Lord Henry’s ideology of sin in the context of one’s mind.
14. What does Dorian Gray so desperately wish for that he "would give [his] soul" to have
it come true?
15. To what does Basil attribute Dorian's negative reaction to his painting?
Chapters 3-4 Questions

1. Why does Lord Henry go visit his Uncle?

2. Who was Lady Margaret Devereux and what did she do?
3. What happened to Dorian Gray's father?
4. Why is Lord Henry interested by Dorian’s background?
5. What exercise does Lord Henry find "terribly enthralling"?
6. What advice does Lord Henry give the Duchess when she asks how she can become
young again?
7. What does Lord Henry mean when he says “I can sympathize with everything, except
suffering”?
8. Who claims that Lord Henry is "extremely dangerous" yet still wishes to hear more of
Henry's "philosophy of pleasure"?
9. When Dorian Gray is reminded that he promised to visit Basil Hallward, where does
Dorian go instead? What does this show about Dorian and Basil’s relationship?
10. Who is Victoria?
11. How does Victoria recognize Dorian?
12. With whom does Dorian Gray fall in love?
13. What does Lord Henry tell Dorian Gray is "the real secret of life"?
14. Who is Sibyl Vane and how does Dorian meet her?
15. Why would Dorian not have known Sybil if it was not for Henry’s influence?
16. Dorian has confused art with life in his love for Sibyl Vane. Is this statement accurate?
Provide evidence from the novel to support your opinion.
17. How has Dorian changed from the boy we met in Basil’s studio?
18. What is Henry’s view of Dorian’s romance with Sybil?
19. To where does Dorian want Henry and Basil to accompany him?
20. What news is in the telegram that Lord Henry receives from Dorian?
Chapters 5-6 Questions
1. What does Mr. Isaacs do to help Sibyl and her family?
2. By what name does Sibyl Vane know Dorian Gray?
3. How does Sibyl’s mother view her daughter’s relationship with Dorian?
4. What does Jim demand to know from his mother before he leaves for Australia?
5. What threat does Jim make regarding "Prince Charming"?
6. Identify the ways in which Wilde develops a foreboding of disaster around the character Sibyl.
7. What was Basil’s reaction to the news of Dorian’s engagement?
8. What argument did Basil use against Dorian’s marriage to Sibyl?
9. Is Basil’ argument a common one in this society? Give one example to justify your answer.
10. What does Lord Henry say is the "real drawback to marriage"?
11. How does Dorian describe the details of his engagement to Sibyl Vane?
12. Discuss what Dorian’s speech reveals about his nature of his love for Sibyl and link it to the
theme of the novel.
13. What does it mean to be "good," according to Lord Henry?
14. What does Lord Henry tell Dorian Gray that he represents to the young man?
Chapters 7-8 Questions
1. Before the play, how did Basil justify Dorian’s adoration of Sibyl?
2. When Lord Henry and Basil accompany Dorian to the theatre, what happens to make Dorian
angry?
3. Accurately describe Sibyl’s performance, according to chapter 7.
4. What is Basil’s philosophy of love, life and art compared to Lord Henry’s?
5. What explanation does Sibyl Vane offer Dorian regarding her performance?
6. What is Dorian's reaction to Sibyl's explanation for her poor performance?
7. After he breaks off his relationship with Sibyl, what does Dorian notice about the painting Basil
had done of him?
8. What does Dorian Gray realize when he sees the changes in the painting?
9. What does Dorian realise about what the portrait represents at the end of chapter 7?
10. What news is in Lord Henry's letter that Dorian does not open?
11. Describe Dorian’s initial reaction to the news and how Lord Henry changes Dorian’s initial
reaction.
12. What choice does Dorian Gray make after Lord Henry points out how fortunate Dorian is that
someone loved him so much as to kill herself for him?
13. What does Dorian believe will be a real pleasure to watch?
14. What does the description of Dorian’s behaviour at the end of the chapter reveal about his
character?
Chapters 9-10 Questions
1. Where does Basil believe Dorian had gone after learning the news about Sibyl?
2. Where does Dorian go the evening he learns of Sibyl's fate?
3. Contrast Dorian and Basil’s characters in this chapter.
4. Why was Basil feeling terrible the night before?
5. What is ironic about Dorian telling Basil about James when he says: “He is a sailor or
something.”
6. Who does Basil blame for the changes in Dorian?
7. How has Dorian changed from the time he walked into Basil’s studio till now?
8. What does Dorian believe that Basil has taught him in contrast to Lord Henry?
9. Why does Dorian threaten never to speak to Basil again. Link this to a theme in the novel.
10. What does the coroner give as the official cause of Sibyl Vane's death?
11. What is ironic about Dorian’s words “Dorian Gray had not killed her”?
12. Why does Dorian feel safe after the portrait is locked in the old schoolroom?
13. What does Lord Henry send to Dorian that completely fascinates him'?
14. Why is he unable to put the book down?
15. How does The Yellow book affect Lord Henry and Dorian’s lives respectively?
Chapters 11-12 Questions
1. What becomes a huge influence over Dorian Gray's life?
2. What rumours were spread about Dorian and how did people show their disapproval of him?
3. Why do people tend to disbelieve the rumours about Dorian Gray?
4. How does Dorian react to the deteriorating picture?
5. What does Dorian Gray do once or twice every month during the winter, and each Wednesday
evening while the season lasts?
6. What is the real reason Dorian collected so many beautiful things?
7. Explain the statement: “Dorian Gray had been poisoned by a book”.
8. What is it that Basil wishes to speak to Dorian about before leaving?
9. Explain the irony in Basil’s statement to Dorian: Sin is a thing that writes itself across a man’s
face. It cannot be concealed.”
10. List all the evil deeds that Basil says Dorian is accused of.
11. What does Basil claim that he would have to see before he could believe anything he's heard
about Dorian's activities?
12. Describe Basil in chapter 11 and 12.
Chapters 13-14 Questions
1. Summarise Basil’s state of mind and feelings when he sees the portrait.
2. Explain why the sight affects Basil so strongly.
3. Why does Dorian Blame Lord Henry and Basil?
4. How has the picture destroyed Dorian?
5. With your understanding of the book as a whole, do you agree with Dorian’s statement: “Each
of us has Heaven and Hell in him?
6. Show that Dorian is:
A) unaffected by the murder
B) feels that he is the one who has had the unpleasant experience
C) is not completely in control of his emotions
D) does not care about Basil’s death
E) is really very frightened
7. As Dorian sketches, what seems to appear in all of his drawings?
8. Write down the statement that most reveals Alan Campbell’s hatred for Dorian.
9. Explain how the gothic elements are used in chapter 12.
10. Why does Alan Campbell agree to do as Dorian asks?
11. Explain the change in the portrait that Dorian now sees.
Chapters 15-17 Questions
1. What is Dorian's mood when he attends Lady Narborough's party?
2. What does Lord Henry ask Dorian at Lady Narbourough's party that makes Dorian nervous?
3. What "things that were dangerous" does Dorian believe had to be dealt with immediately
upon arriving home from Lady Narborough's dinner party?
4. What is the purpose of chapter 15?
5. Why is Dorian disappointed in life?
6. Comment on the way Wilde uses the Gothic elements in this chapter.
7. What words did Lord Henry say the first day he met Dorian that now repeatedly play through
Dorian's mind?
8. Though Dorian believes that forgiveness for his sins is impossible, what is "possible still"?
9. What former friend does Dorian Gray see at the opium house and how has Dorian ruined this
person’s life?
10. Why could Dorian not stay in the same den as this man?
11. Who is the drunken sailor who accuses Dorian Gray in the street?
12. Why doesn't the drunken sailor shoot Dorian Gray?
13. Why does Dorian faint?
14. Even though Dorian feels ill, he still goes to the dinner. Why?
Chapters 18-20 Questions
1. What does Dorian Gray blame for raising "such fearful phantoms" that keep him in his house
for three days?
2. What does Dorian beg Sir Geoffrey Clouston not to do?
3. What happens that Dorian Gray proclaims to be a "bad omen"?
4. Describe the difference between the attitudes of Lord Henry and Dorian to the death of the
beater.
5. Who is the man in the thicket, who has been shot by Sir Geoffrey?
6. What does Dorian mean by “Death walked here in the sunlight”, in chapter 18?
7. How does Wilde expose the selfishness of class distinction, with the response to James Vane’s
death, in chapter 18?
8. In chapter 19, what does Dorian promise that he will do in the future?
9. Who is Hetty?
10. Although Dorian believes he has done right by Hetty, what does Lord Henry say will be the
result of Dorian's great renunciation?
11. What do we learn about Alan Campbell and Lord Henry in chapter 19?
12. What does Dorian tell Lord Henry about Basil, that Henry immediately dismisses as impossible
to believe?
13. What request does Dorian make to Lord Henry concerning the yellow book and why?
14. In the opening of chapter 20, what does Dorian believe of Alan and Basil’s deaths? What does
this show about Dorian?
15. Why does Dorian go to look at his portrait while thinking of Hetty Merton?
16. What does Dorian see when he looks at the picture?
17. Why has the picture not changed for the better?
18. Once the picture gave him pleasure. Why does he loath the picture now?
19. What happens to Dorian Gray?
20. What mistake does Dorian trying to destroy the painting?