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).