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).