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).