The Picture of Dorian Grey by
Oscar Wilde
These notes were compiled by using the following previous examination papers. Some
information is repeated to show you he different ways in which the questions are asked
in exams/ tests.
1. Dorian Gray's refusal to face reality leads to his moral decline.
2. In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde shows how the more reprehensible1
qualities of human beings can destroy people.
3. The novel exposes the superficial and hypocritical nature of its main characters
and the society in which they live.
4. Dorian's passion for pleasure is in conflict with ethical and moral principles.
5. Despite moments of self-awareness, Dorian Gray continues to live a life of
hedonism.
6. The Picture of Dorian Gray highlights that living without boundaries is dangerous
to oneself and others
7. The degeneration of Dorian Gray is at the heart of the novel.
8. Dorian Gray must take responsibility for his own fate.
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9. The extent that Dorian Gray’s character is shaped by his association with Lord
Henry.
10. The Picture of Dorian Gray is about Dorian Gray's loss of innocence.
11. In The Picture of Dorian Gray, the inability to distinguish between art and reality
has tragic consequences
12. In this novel, the influence of Lord Henry Wotton and Basil Hallward leads to
Dorian Gray’s loss of innocence
Contextual questions page 22 - 46
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ESSAY QUESTION (DBE/2023)
Dorian Gray's refusal to face reality leads to his moral decline.
• Dorian's introduction to his portrait reveals his inability to accept reality. When he
is confronted with the harsh reality that he will age and lose his beauty, he
immediately wishes that he could stay young forever.
• Dorian's eternal youth allows him to live a life without repercussions. Although
seemingly a blessing, this leads to his living a trivial and empty life.
• Dorian falls in love with Sibyl's artistic talent and not with who she really is. When
she abandons her talent of creating magical worlds, she becomes more real
and thus flawed. Dorian's illusion of love is shattered and he cruelly discards her.
• After Dorian's rejection, Sibyl kills herself and Dorian refuses to accept that he has
played a role in her death. Rather he chooses to see her death as a 'wonderful
ending to a wonderful play'. He is able to feel more for a character in a play
than an actual person.
• The reader is aware that Dorian ignores the reality of Lord Henry's negative
influence. Although Dorian has moments of clarity that following a life of
Hedonism, as espoused by Lord Henry, has been to his detriment, he continues to
pursue immorality.
• Dorian loses touch with reality when he starts to use the Yellow Book as a guide
for his debaucherous lifestyle.
• The depth of Dorian's immorality is evident when he kills Basil and blackmails Alan
Campbell to dispose of Basil's body. He is able to detach himself from his
murderous act by describing Basil as 'the thing'.
• When Dorian's conscience and reality trouble him, he turns to opium to avoid the
memories of the crimes that he has committed.
• Dorian is never held accountable, nor does he face any consequences for his
depraved actions. This lack of 'purification in punishment' results in Dorian's never
having to reflect on his actions or grow and develop as a person. He remains
immature and one-dimensional.
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• Dorian attempts to ignore the ugliness of his soul by surrounding himself with
beauty and experiencing new sensations; however, his portrait continues to
remind him of the reality of his reprehensible behaviour.
• When Dorian can no longer face his own true nature, he destroys the portrait.
This action results in his body and soul re-uniting and ultimately leads to his death.
• Candidates might argue that Dorian's moral decline can be traced to the
influence of Lord Henry in particular, and society in general, and that his refusal
to face reality is a consequence of these forces.
ESSAY QUESTION (DBE/2019)
In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde shows how the more reprehensible1 qualities
of human beings can destroy people. Critically assess the validity of the above
statement in relation to the novel.
Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–2½
pages).
↘ Qualities such as selfishness, cruelty to others as well as harmful, depraved or
corrupt behaviour might be considered reprehensible.
↘ Dorian's narcissism and his determination to pursue his own pleasure lead him to
engage in dishonourable behaviour. His self-centredness is clear when he
chooses to spend time with Lord Henry rather than fulfil his commitments to Basil
and Lady Agatha.
↘ His cruel and callous treatment of Sibyl is inexcusable and leads to her suicide.
↘ When Dorian realises that the portrait grants him freedom from censure, he
begins to indulge in increasingly dissolute behaviour, such as gambling, getting
into fights with sailors and frequenting opium dens and brothels.
↘ He takes pleasure in the corrupting influence he has on others, while not taking
any of the blame for their ruined reputations. The lives of those whom he has
influenced are all destroyed.
↘ Dorian is duplicitous, hiding his corrupt nature from society in an attempt to
preserve his reputation and position.
↘ Dorian's murder of Basil is particularly reprehensible, given Basil's love and
concern for him.
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