Theme: Women/Love
This theme has many different sides, meaning that there were a lot of different perspectives on it. Harry and Dorian seemed to have the same view (probably because Harry has such a strong influence ver Dorian.)
One of the most important examples of this theme, is the relationship between Sibyl Vane and Dorian Gray. Dorian was in love with Sibyl because she was an actress. He said "Ordinary women never appear to one's imagination... But an actress! How different and actress is!" (p55) But this love story ended quick since Sibyl lost her great acting ability since she actually experienced love with Dorian. Dorian refuses to marry her after and she kills herself.
Harry has such a horrible view on women. With the way he talks about them, I can't believe he was ever married. Some of his quotes are:
"no woman is a genius... They never have anything to say." (p51)
"Women treat us just as Humanity treats its gods. They worship us, and are always bothering us to do something for them." (p83)
Dorian continues to mock women and the idea of love, he also believed men could only be happy with a woman if he doesnt love her.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Dorian Gray 12 THEME
Since I finished reading, I'm going to recall all the themes I marked in this book.
Theme: Vanity
This theme has to most reoccuring throughout the novel. The origin of this theme of vanity is the character Harry. Throughou the novel, Dorian's Youth and Beauty was the only important aspect. He's the one who told Doria that he would be nothing without his youth, forcing Dorian to wish that he would look young forever and later corrupt him. Even when Sibyl died, the only thing that worried Harry was if Dorian's name be spoiled and he would be famous for a scandal. He even told Dorian "There is nothing that you, with your extrordinary good looks, will not be able to do." (p108) These ideas corrupt Dorians mind, thinking his beauty is all he needs. Dorian even became aware of his vanity when he says on p131 "He grew more and more enamored of his own beauty, more and more interested in the corruption of his own soul." Also the Duchess recognizes Harry's superficiality when she tells im "That is your error, Harry, believe me. You value beauty far too much." (p199)
Theme: Vanity
This theme has to most reoccuring throughout the novel. The origin of this theme of vanity is the character Harry. Throughou the novel, Dorian's Youth and Beauty was the only important aspect. He's the one who told Doria that he would be nothing without his youth, forcing Dorian to wish that he would look young forever and later corrupt him. Even when Sibyl died, the only thing that worried Harry was if Dorian's name be spoiled and he would be famous for a scandal. He even told Dorian "There is nothing that you, with your extrordinary good looks, will not be able to do." (p108) These ideas corrupt Dorians mind, thinking his beauty is all he needs. Dorian even became aware of his vanity when he says on p131 "He grew more and more enamored of his own beauty, more and more interested in the corruption of his own soul." Also the Duchess recognizes Harry's superficiality when she tells im "That is your error, Harry, believe me. You value beauty far too much." (p199)
Dorian Gray 11
WOW! The ending of this book was so good! Dorian returned to the locked room in which he killed Basil in. He was hoping that the old ugly portrait would look more youthful, or anyway better, because recently he has been acting "good." But to his horror, it was still ugly. Also, there seemed to be more blood in the portrait. So, he thought that if he stabbed the portrait, it would kill all the evilness in his soul. But later, he was found, old and wrinkled, laying dead on the floor while his young portrait was hanging on the wall.
I thought this was interesting, because the whole time, I think Dorian figured himself was who he was, but really the portrait was a mirror of his soul. So when he stabbed the portrait he really killed his own self, his soul! Its funny because before the thing that saved him was his youth beauty (when Sibyls brother was gonna kill him) but that very thing caused his death.
I thought this was interesting, because the whole time, I think Dorian figured himself was who he was, but really the portrait was a mirror of his soul. So when he stabbed the portrait he really killed his own self, his soul! Its funny because before the thing that saved him was his youth beauty (when Sibyls brother was gonna kill him) but that very thing caused his death.
Dorian Gray 10
Dorian is at a party with the Duchess, who I think loves him but he is too crazy to return the love, and Harry (as well as a few others.) After a discussion, Dorian faints because he thought he saw James Vane, the man set out to kill him. Also before that, Dorian witnessed a rabbit, who he wished to save, get shot, as well as an unknown man. As I supposed, the man was James Vane. Vane also had a gun with him, so he was probably going to kill Dorian. Dorian was happy to see his killer did, because then he didn't have to worry about his own death anymore.
This section really got me mad. This is the 2nd time that Dorian avoided his death and it also got me mad because 2 great innocent people died: James and Basil. Although Dorian isn't paranoid to die anymore, I think he hates his youthfulness now. And he is also starting to develop guilt for killing Basil, and I don't think it helped when Harry told him he could never changed. Dorian hoped to start a new pure life, but I dont think he successfully can because he is so corrupt.
This section really got me mad. This is the 2nd time that Dorian avoided his death and it also got me mad because 2 great innocent people died: James and Basil. Although Dorian isn't paranoid to die anymore, I think he hates his youthfulness now. And he is also starting to develop guilt for killing Basil, and I don't think it helped when Harry told him he could never changed. Dorian hoped to start a new pure life, but I dont think he successfully can because he is so corrupt.
Dorian Gray 9
Dorian Gray has completely lost his soul. His reputation is tarnished and all he has is his youth and beauty. He then turns to drugs, craving opium. He meets with a new friend and then the person I've been waiting for to show up, James Vane, hunts Dorian down. He is ready to kill Dorian, but then Dorian convinces him that he is not "Prince Charming" for he is so young. James apologizes and lets him go.
This really upsets me. Dorian Gray is so corrupt and a horrible person, I honestly think he deserves to die. It's not fair that the one thing that eats at his soul and causes such corruption, saves him.
But later a woman tells James that the man he caught IS Prince Charming and he shouldn't have let him go. I don't know who the woman is, but I wish James wouldve talked to her sooner so he can avenge his sisters suicide.
This really upsets me. Dorian Gray is so corrupt and a horrible person, I honestly think he deserves to die. It's not fair that the one thing that eats at his soul and causes such corruption, saves him.
But later a woman tells James that the man he caught IS Prince Charming and he shouldn't have let him go. I don't know who the woman is, but I wish James wouldve talked to her sooner so he can avenge his sisters suicide.
Dorian Gray 8
Dorian called over an old friend and told him he had to get rid of the body that was rotting in his locked room. At first the friend, Campbell refused to be in his dirty business but afterwords Dorian threatened him. At this point I don't know what, he wrote something on a piece of a paper and showed it to him. I think he threatened to kill him. Whatever it was, it convinced Campbell to burn it with his chemicals. He left afterwords and told Dorian that he didn't want to be apart of any of his business again. I felt like Campbell kind of replaced Basil in that he was telling Dorian what society saw him as, showing him reality like Basil did. I don't know what's going to happen to Campbell afterward, I think that maybe Dorian will kill him too because he knows his secret.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Dorian Gray 7
So, Dorian is completely psycho. After revealing to Basil his secret, the ugly portrait, he killed him. Without a thought, just killed him. I think that Dorian couldn't handle anyone knowing how much his youth has truly left him and how corrupt he's became - and that's what Basil showed him. Basil wouldn't be like Harry and just tell him as long as he had his youth it'd be okay; Basil tells him the reality, what's really happening. Afterwards, Dorian was still emotionless. He didn't think about anything or anyone except himself. He figured he would get away with it. By killing Basil, Dorian has completely shunned reality. He will continue to live in this fantasy world in which the rules are set by Harry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)