2010 2011 AP English Literature Mrs.

Linda Winslow Name: _________________________________

Fontbonne Hall Academy Trimester 1 Study Guide #1

The Novel

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Learning Objectives: 1. To understand how the novel is a comment on the Victorian age, 2. To describe and analyze the significance of leading a double life in Victorian England. 3. To explore the principles of the Aesthetic movement and its relation to traditional Victorian upper class society and its connection between art and life. 4. To discuss the idea of Hedonism as it pertains to the characters in the novel. 5. To analyze the novel as a commentary on social identities and social masks. 6. To analyze how the novel complicates 19th century notions of sexuality. 7. To explain and analyze the Faustian pact between Dorian and the portrait. 8. To gain skill in giving precise, meaningful oral and written responses to questions. 9. To support and verify a thesis statement using specific references to the work. Learning Activities: 1. Read The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde 2. Test A test will be given at the end of the unit. 3. Each student will participate in an oral presentation. 4. Essay All essays are expected to meet the guidelines of written work. Choose one of the following: A. Oscar Wildes references to sexuality and homoeroticism led to a great amount of controversy when The Picture of Dorian Gray was first published. Write a wellorganized essay in which you compare and contrast Basil Hallward and Lord Henrys attitudes toward Dorian. Consider how sexuality and platonic love play a role in the relationships between Dorian and Basil and Dorian and Lord Henry. B. Authors frequently employ elements of irony in order to reveal their attitude toward the text and to enable readers to evaluate plot developments and characters actions effectively and critically. Write a well-organized essay in which you explore the central irony of the novel.

Evaluation: Test 40% Essay 50% Participation 10% Timeline 3 cycles

Chapter 1 1. Why does Lord Henry insist that Basil Hallward should exhibit his painting of Dorian Gray? 2. Why does Basil Hallward not want to put the portrait in an exhibition? 3. How do Lord Henrys comments on marriage support the novels motif of leading a double life? 4. To what extent has Dorian Gray influenced Basils art? 5. What is Lord Henrys assessment of upper class involvement in philanthropy? 6. What does Basils hesitation to introduce Lord Henry and Dorian to each other reveal about both Basil and Lord Henry? Chapter II 1. What is Lord Henrys Opinion on the nature of influence? 2. To what extent does Lord Henrys discussion of society reflect Wildes criticism of Victorian culture? 3. How does Lord Henrys assessment of the relationship between beauty and genius exemplify the principles of the Aesthetic movement? 4. Why is Dorian upset when Basil finally finishes the portrait? 5. How does Dorian enter into a Faustian Pact with the portrait? Chapter III 1. To what extent does Lord Henry exemplify the late 18th century image of the dandy? 2. What is ironic about Lord Henrys assertion that philanthropic people lose all sense of humanity? 3. What type of relationship with Dorian does Lord Henry want to create after learning about Dorians heritage and past? 4. To what extent does Lord Henrys statement that he wants to write a novel as lovely as a Persian carpet symbolize the Aesthetic fascination with art for arts sake? Chapter IV 1. When Dorian talks to Lady Henry, what does Dorian learn about Lord Henrys marriage? 2. How do Lord Henrys comments about Sibyl Vane exemplify traditional late 18th century notions about gender? 3. In his expressed opinion of women, what comment does Lord Henry unintentionally make about Dorians masculinity? 4. Where did Dorian meet Sibyl Vane, and what does their meeting reveal about her social class? 5. What is Lord Henrys assessment of Dorians infatuation with Sibyl Vane?

Chapter V 1. How does the setting of the novel change at the onset of Chapter V? 2. What figurative language does Wilde employ in the sentence the joy of a caged bird was in her voice, and how does this use of figurative language help characterize Sibyl? 3. Why does James Vane plan to go to Australia? 4. What are Sibyls mothers hopes in regard to Prince Charming? 5. What do the hopes of Sibyls mother reveal about her character? 6. What effect is achieved by the personification employed in the sentence he could hear the droning voice devouring each minute that was left to him? 7. What is James Vanes prophetic promise in regard to Prince Charming? 8. What does James find out about his father, and how does his discovery affect his assessment of Sibyls relationship with Prince Charming? Chapter VI 1. What does Lord Henry mean when he states that being married and being engaged are two entirely different things? 2. Why is Basil concerned when he first hears about Dorians engagement? 3. What does Lord Henry reveal about his attitude toward women when he discusses Dorians engagement with Dorian and Basil? Chapter VII 1. How does Sibyls performance affect Dorian, Lord Henry, and Basil? 2. What is Sibyls explanation for acting so badly? 3. What is Dorians reaction to Sibyls explanation for her bad acting? 4. What change does Dorian notice about his portrait when he returns home? 5. How does the word choice Wilde uses to describe Dorians reaction to the portrait exemplify the themes of the novel? 6. How does the change Dorian perceives in the portrait affect his attitude toward Lord Henry? Chapter VIII 1. Why is it psychologically necessary for Dorian to write a long letter of apology to Sibyl Vane? 2. What news does Lord Henry reveal when he visits Dorian? 3. Why does Dorian call Sibyls suicide selfish? 4. How does Lord Henry help Dorian come to terms with Sibyls death? 5. What is the intended effect of the rhetorical questions toward the end of the chapter? Chapter IX 1. What prevents Basil from believing that Dorian attended the opera and what does his disbelief reveal about Basils character? 2. Why does Dorian demand to know Basils reason for being reluctant to exhibit his portrait? 3. What was Basils true reason for not wanting to display the picture? Chapter X 1. How does Dorians decision not to allow Basil to save him help characterize Dorian? 2. What does Dorian resolve to do with the painting?

Chapter XI 1. How is Dorian able to retain a good reputation even though rumors about his deplorable lifestyle are beginning to emerge in fine society? 2. How does Dorians relationship with his portrait evolve over time? 3. What effect does Dorians presence in society have on young men and women? 4. How do Dorians lifestyle and his ideals reflect the principles of Hedonism? 5. How does Dorians paranoia in regard to the portrait first emerge? Chapter XII 1. Why does Basil hesitate to believe the worst rumors he has been hearing about Dorian? How does this show that Basil is an Aesthete? 2. What is Dorian referring to when he tells Basil about the diary of his life? Chapter XIII 1. What does Dorian promise to show Basil as he takes him to his attic? 2. What is Basils reaction to seeing the portrait of Dorian? 3. What metaphor does Wilde use to describe the hatred Dorian feels toward Basil? Why? 4. How does Wildes diction and style convey Dorians emotional state and his attitude toward Basil following the murder of the painter? Chapter XIV 1. How does Dorians reaction when he awakens on the morning after the murder help characterize him? 2. How is Dorian able to persuade Alan Campbell to help him dispose of Basils body? 3. To what extent does the relationship between Dorian and Alan Campbell highlight the theme of homosexuality? Chapter XV 1. Why is Dorian not at ease during the evening at Lady Narboroughs? 2. What is the significance of the Florentine cabinet? What does the diction in the description of the cabinet reveal about his contents? Chapter XVI 1. To what extent does Basils death drive Dorian deeper into the world of illicit drugs? 2. How do the similes in this chapter illustrate the changes taking place in Dorians life? 3. How is James Vane alerted to Dorians presence at the Opium Den? 4. How is Dorian able to convince James Vane that he is not the man responsible for Sibyl Vanes death? Chapter XVII 1. How has Dorians character changed in regard to the pursuit of pleasure? 2. Why does Dorian faint in the garden during his party at Selby Royal? Chapter XVIII 1. What are some factors that could have caused Dorian to change his attitude toward Hedonism? 2. What effect is achieved by the personification in the phrase horror seemed once more to lay its hand upon his heart? 3. Why is Dorian able to cry with joy when he learns the identity of the victim of the hunting accident?

Chapter XIX 1. What does Dorian do to prove to himself that he is a reformed man? 2. What sets Dorian apart from his mentor Lord Henry, when they discuss the death of Basil Hallward? How does Wilde show the reader that Dorian is quite different from Lord Henry, even though both men seem to share the same interests and sentiments? Chapter XX 1. What does Dorian hope to see when he looks at his portrait once again? 2. Does Dorian Gray intend to kill himself?