Saturday, February 21, 2009

February Vacation Witticisms

1.) Pushing someone away doesn’t cause them to come closer to you. They are only further away. Therefore, if you love someone let them know, or else they will let you go.

2.) Some people call it luck; other people call it hard-work. Luck and hard-work are not the same thing though. Luck might get you what you want, but hard-work will always get you what you need.

3.) Experience is the best teacher. Even if you fail the test, you won’t forget the lesson.

4.) Can you make yourself love? Can you make yourself be loved? Don’t try to be loved; try to be love. If you open your heart and embrace others anything is possible.

5.) What makes a smile so great? Everyone has one, everyone understands it, it’s the easiest way to change your looks, and no matter how many times you share it, you can never lose it.

6.) Wealth can be measured in love and happiness. Most of the time, the people with the most money are never the wealthiest.

7.) The best part about teams is that even if you make a mistake, someone is always on your side. Someone is always there to pick you up when you fall.

8.) Life’s too short to not take risks. You never lose by trying; you always lose by holding back.

9.) Beauty might catch your attention, but kindness, honesty, and loyalty will capture your heart.

10.) Don’t trust people for who you want them to be, trust them for who they are.

11.) True friends do not love you for what you have. They love you for how you make them feel.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

The Picture of Dorian Gray # 11

1.)“It is perfectly monstrous,” he said, at last, “the way people go about nowadays saying things against one behind one’s back that are absolutely and entirely true” (183).

Lord Henry brings up an important question, why do people talk about other people behind their backs? If something is entirely true, why do they feel the need to hide it? It is because people feel better when they get something off their chest, but they are too fearful to confront that person. For example, many people talked about Dorian behind his back. Basil, trying to be a good friend, wanted to share this with Dorian. He was open and honest with Dorian, but Dorian would not accept what he said. The truth was too painful and hard for Dorian to bear. Reality was overwhelming, and as a result, he killed Basil. Most people are fearful something similar will occur. Everyone talks about others, because it makes them feel like they are helping someone. When people share the truth, they don’t want to be attacked. They want someone who will agree with them, not disagree.


2.)“One’s days were too brief to take the burden of another’s errors on one’s shoulders. Each man lived his own life, and paid his own price for living it” (194).


“Life is too short to live for anyone but yourself.” No two lives are the same; every life is unique and special. You should want to live your own life, without anyone’s influence. The decisions we make show what type of people we are. Dorian made a mistake; he would have to live with the consequences. Rarely in life do you get a chance to start over. However, how you respond to your mistakes can change who you are. If you recognize your sins and promise to do better, you will be successful. The better life you live, the lesser price you will pay.


Vocab. Words:


1.) Incorrigible: impervious to constraints or punishment; willful; unruly; uncontrollable
“Isn’t he incorrigible?” cried Dorian, leaning forward in his chair” (183).

2.)Corroborative: to make more certain; confirm
“If you want any corroborative evidence on the subject you can ask him” (186).

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

The Picture of Dorian Gray #10

“The suspense became unbearable. Time seemed to him to be crawling with feet of lead, while he by monstrous winds was being swept toward the jagged edge of some black cleft or precipice” (171).

Dorian’s life was on the line. He just killed his innocent friend; how could he remain calm? Dorian could hide his sins in the past because there was no evidence. The only evidence was hidden in the picture. With no consequences Dorian had nothing to fear; he felt composed and relaxed. Now, there was a dead body in his house. How do you hide a dead body? The only way is to get rid of it as soon as possible. He could not do it himself though. His future was in the hands of an old friend who hated him. Time goes on forever when you need a response. Until everything is settled, you feel anxious, tense, and nervous. Everything was out of Dorian's control; the only thing he could do was wait.


1.) “I don’t care what shame comes on you. You deserve it all. I should not be sorry to see you disgraced, publicly disgraced” (173).

Dorian has never helped anyone in his life, so why should someone help him? Dorian murdered someone; he is a criminal. All criminals deserve to be punished. If a person apologizes for their sins, they should be forgiven. Dorian, never apologized, therefore, he should not be forgiven. He lied to avoid being caught. Dorian did not feel sorry for his actions; therefore, Alan should not feel sorry for Dorian’s shame. Dorian claimed that Alan is “the one man who is able to save me” (172). Alan might be able to hide evidence, but he cannot save him. No one can; Dorian killed the only man who could.


Vocab. Words:

1.)Vestige- a very slight trace or amount of something
“What you have got to do is to destroy the thing that is up-stairs- to destroy it so that not a vestige of it will be left” (172).

2.)Fetid-having an offensive odor
“If in some hideous dissecting-room or fetid laboratory you found this man lying on a leaden table with red gutters scooped out in it for the blood to flow through, you would simply look upon him as an admirable subject” (173).

Monday, February 9, 2009

The Picture of Dorian Gray #9

1.) “You don’t want people to talk of you as something vile and degraded. Of course, you have your position and your wealth, and all that kind of thing. But position and wealth are not everything” (153).

Should you care about what other people think of you? Dorian felt there were specific times to care and times not to care. For example, Dorian was interested in what Lord Henry, a total stranger, had to say about him. However, his good friend, Basil’s advice meant nothing. Why is this bad? Your friend knows what is best for you. As Basil stated, “I want you to lead such a life as will make the world respect you” (156). This would never happen; instead of Basil saving him, Lord Henry corrupted him. Dorian lived his life afraid to be himself. He let the opinions of a mysterious stranger get the best of him. Yes, Dorian would have his position and wealth, but those are not everything. What about friends, love, happiness, and health? If wealth and popularity are everything, would Dorian have any more dreams or desires to achieve these? If he settles for less, then he won’t be able to accomplish anything in life.


2.) “You are the one man in the world who is entitled to know everything about me. You have had more to do with my life than you think” (159).

If anyone is going to see the picture of Dorian’s soul it should be the one who painted it. It was so important to Basil that no one, especially Lord Henry, influence Dorian. Little did Basil know, he would be the one to influence him the most. C.S. Lewis once stated, “You do not have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.” Our body does not make up who we are, our soul does. Basil did not paint a picture of Dorian’s body like he thought; he painted a picture of his soul. Dorian hoped this painting would conceal all his sins; however, it would not. The gift from Basil was a misconception; Dorian thought he could sin freely, and there would be no effect. Physically there would be no effect; the effect was on the inside. Since we are only a soul, our looks don’t matter; if your soul is hideous, you are hideous.

Vocab. Words:

1.)Languidly: lacking in spirit or interest; listless; indifferent

“‘I shall be charmed. But won’t you miss your train?’ said Dorian Gray languidly, as he passed up the steps and opened the door with his latch-key” (152).

2.)Prate: to talk excessively and pointlessly; babble

“I know the age better than you do, though you will prate about it so tediously” (156).

Sunday, February 8, 2009

The Picture of Dorian Gray #8

1.)“The more he knew, the more he desired to know. He had mad hungers that grew more ravenous as he fed them” (132).

Everyone wants to know more, but why do they want to learn more? Most people want to learn more so they can educate others. The more educated people there are in the world, the less ignorant people there are, making the world a better place. Therefore, the more you know, the more successful you will be. Dorian had alternate motives. He had a desire for knowledge because the more he knew, the more he could get away with. Dorian would engage in every pleasure to serve this insatiable appetite. He would never be satisfied with what he had; if he got something, he wanted more of it. Once he committed a sin, he would continue to sin.

2.)“He always has an extraordinary faculty of becoming absolutely absorbed for the moment in whatever he took up- he was almost saddened by the reflection of the ruin that Time brought on beautiful and wonderful things. He at any rate had escaped that” (141).

Nothing can stay beautiful forever, except for Dorian. Change can be good or bad, but it cannot be prevented. It is unavoidable; we do not know when something wonderful will come or when something wonderful will disappear. Instead of wishing beauty will never go away, we must be grateful while it lasts. Dorian can never appreciate his life or his beauty because he never sees a change; he always looks the same. Even if his beauty lasts forever, his life will not. The lesson from the book Lord Henry gave him was, “to teach man to concentrate himself upon the moments of a life that is itself but a moment” (134). As many times as Dorian read this book, he missed the main message. Dorian was “absolutely absorbed for the moment in whatever he took up.” If life is just a moment Dorian was never able to appreciate it because he was too busy with other things. His life would be over before he knew it and he would never be able to enjoy it.

Vocab. Words:

1.)Reverie: a state of dreamy meditation or fanciful musing; a daydream
“this art being, one might fancy, especially the art of those whose minds have been troubled with the malady of reverie” (134) .

2.)Asceticism: rigorous self-denial; extreme abstinence; austerity
“Of the asceticism that deadens the senses, as of the vulgar profligacy that dulls them, it was to know nothing” (134).

The Picture of Dorian Gray #7

1.)“If you really want to console me, teach me rather to forget what has happened, or to see it from a proper artistic point of view” (113).

Everything happens for a reason. What happens is not always good, but it always teaches a lesson. Dorian lost the only girl he loved, the girl he was engaged to marry. Her death was a tragedy and all tragedies are sad and painful to remember. Everyone wants to forget heartbreaking events; however, it is not always easy, possible, or the best option. Forgetting does not solve anything. We cannot erase the past; we must accept it and use it to our advantage. What happened with Sybil was an experience. All experiences are learning experiences. Life is like an ongoing experiment. If Dorian applies what he learned from Sybil, he will not make the same mistake again. If he forgets her and how badly he treated her, he will treat someone else the same way.

2.)“I have always you to look at. If you wish the best work I have ever done to be hidden from the world, I am satisfied. Your friendship is dearer to me than any fame or reputation” (117).

Is friendship more important than fame, fortune, and a good reputation? Basil showed it is; a good friend is encouraging and helpful. Dorian was selfish and vane. He forced his only true friend to give up everything for him. Basil’s masterpiece would never be shown to the public because Dorian feared other’s seeing his ugly soul. Dorian would never be a good friend or a good person. He used Basil to his own advantage. Basil provided Dorian with an amazing gift. His face would stay young and beautiful forever, while a hidden painting would show his sins. Instead of thanking him, he begged him not to show it. Basil wanted to be a good friend by making Dorian happy, but what makes someone happy is not always best for them. If no one saw Dorian’s sins, he could engage in every pleasure without worrying: “Basil could have saved him. But it was too late now” (122). Dorian appears beautiful, but his soul is hideous. He will be dying on the inside forever.

Vocab. Words:

1.)Reticences: The state or quality of being reluctant; unwillingness
“The painter’s absurd fits of jealousy, his wild devotion, his extravagant panegyrics, his curious reticences- he understood them all now, and he felt sorry” (120).

2.) Petulantly: moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, esp. over some trifling annoyance
“‘No, no!’ he cried, petulantly” (122).

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

The Picture of Dorian Gray #6

1.)“There is a luxury in self-reproach. When we blame ourselves we feel that no one else has a right to blame us. It is the confession, not the priest that gives us absolution” (100).

The first step toward forgiveness is admitting your sins. Confession is a reward because we are freed from guilt and suffering. When we blame ourselves, we accept our mistakes and learn from them. Dorian was harsh and despicable to Sybil, but he knew he was. As soon as he realized this, he wrote a passionate letter begging for forgiveness. Right after the letter was written, Dorian already felt absolved from his sins. When someone else blames us they are showing arrogance and selfishness. They do not know the truth and have probably done something similar. When we blame ourselves we are promising do better in the future. When someone else blames us, they are not correcting us; they are criticizing us. As Dorian stated, “I am not sorry for anything that has happened. It has taught me to know myself better” (101). When we are honest with ourselves we learn about ourselves. We are put our mistakes behind us and are hopeful and optimistic for the future. When someone else blames us for our mistakes we are discouraged and feel humiliated and disgraced.


2.)"There is something to me quite beautiful about her death… They make one believe in the reality of the things we all play with, such as romance, passion, and love" (106).

How many people would die for the one they loved? Sybil died for Dorian, the one she loved. Sybil’s Prince Charming told her she was shallow and stupid. Without him in her life, her life would be meaningless. Sybil was too good to be true. She was like a dream, but good dreams cannot last forever. According to Harry, her death was “like a wonderful ending to a wonderful play” (104). Dorian did not fall in love with Sybil; he fell in love with Juliet. Dorian spent too much time with Lord Henry; and as a result, he became who Lord Henry wanted. Sybil spent too much time acting in tragedies; and consequently, little did Dorian know, her life would become one. Juliet did not live happily ever after, and neither would Sybil.

Vocab. Words:


1.) Conjugal: pertaining to the relation of husband and wife.
“They flaunt their conjugal felicity in one’s face, as if it were the most fascinating of sins” (106).

2.)Cognizance: awareness, realization, or knowledge; notice; perception
“Did it merely take cognizance of what passed within the soul?” (109).

Monday, February 2, 2009

The Picture of Dorian Gray #5

1.) “Love is a more wonderful thing than Art” (88).

Love is a series of emotions. Art is not an emotion; it can only express emotions. Art can be fake or it can hide the truth. Love is more important because it is genuine and real, and the real thing is always worth more. There is no need for Dorian to give up his love for Sybil just because she is a poor untalented actress. Art does not define Sybil and affection does not define love. Sybil can pretend to show her emotions through acting, but unless they are real, they do not mean anything. We know what rain looks like, but if we are not outside, we cannot feel it. Sybil acted like she knew what love looked like, but without Dorian she could not feel loved. Dorian brought Sybil something no one else has; he “brought [her] something higher, something of which all art is but a reflection. [He] made [her] understand what love really is” (90).

2.) “The picture, changed or unchanged, would be to him the visible emblem of conscience” (96).

Dorian’s wish came true. He would remain beautiful forever while, “the face on the canvas bear the burden of his passions and his sins” (95). In most cases, inner beauty goes unnoticed, because no one can see it. Most people do not take the time to look for it; however, if you look deeply you can find it. If you look behind the lines in the picture you can see Dorian’s true identity. The picture is a reminder that the decisions we make have the same effect on us physically as they do emotionally. Despite his unchanging looks on the outside, if the picture is ugly or different, Dorian has changed on the inside. This shows beauty is only skin deep; our conscience is more important. If a picture is worth a thousand words, the adjustments on the picture are enough words to describe Dorian’s life story. If your actions altered the way you looked, people would think twice before making a bad decision.

Vocab. Words:


1.)Elocution: the study and practice of oral delivery, including the control of both voice and gesture
“A school-girl who has been taught to recite by some second-rate professor of elocution” (88).

2.)Discordant: disagreeable to the ear; dissonant; harsh.
“Some women were laughing in the pit; their voices were horribly shrill and discordant” (85).

Sunday, February 1, 2009

The Picture of Dorian Gray #4

1.) “Money, mother!” she cried. “What does money matter? Love is more than money.” (64)

The one thing everyone wants in life is true happiness. It does not matter what they look like or where they are from, they want to be happy. What is the best way to achieve this emotion though? Will love or money bring happiness? Sybil’s mother indicates that love is not necessary; the only reason to marry is for money. Although money can buy many things, it cannot buy love. Love is priceless. Mrs. Vane’s desire for money shows her pride. Those who are proud are never satisfied and will never be happy. Sybil is right; love is more than money. As she pointed out later, “love makes people good” (73). Lord Henry claims, “those who are happy are always good…to be good is to be in harmony with one’s self” (82). If this is true, love, not money, will bring true happiness.

2.) “I never approve, or disapprove, of anything now. It is an absurd attitude to take toward life. We are not sent into the world to air our moral prejudices” (78).

Lord Henry believes he never approves or disapproves of anything. However, he did not want Dorian to get married; therefore, he was disapproving something. All people have different outlooks and mind-sets; so how is it possible to always be indifferent? You cannot agree with everyone or disagree with everyone. In life, it is necessary to be open to sharing our beliefs and values. You must speak up because it is your responsibility to change something you do not like. If no one disapproved of slavery, it would still be around today. If all people failed to share their opinions, nothing would be accomplished. For example, if the government wanted to pass a new law, but no one approved or disapproved it, how would you know it was best for the people? Lord Henry is clearly incorrect, it is an absurd attitude not to approve or disapprove of anything in life.

Vocab. Words:

1.)Querulously: full of complaints; peevish
“I don’t know how we could manage without him,” answered the elder woman, querulously. (64)

2.)Leaden: dull, spiritless, or gloomy, as in mood or thought
Leaden with fear, his mother watched him” (74).