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Notes designed and written by Courtney-Simone van Zyl
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Contents page
Themes and important vocabulary
Symbols
Characters
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
These notes are designed to be read and studied with:
“The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde
ISBN 978-1-43103-724-7
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Themes and important vocabulary
Major themes
Beauty and youth
Being set in an aesthetic society, beauty and youth is held to a high standard. Once Lord Henry allows
Dorian to notice his beauty, and makes him realise that it will fade, Dorian begins to envy his portrait,
Basil Hallward created of him. It’s important to note that the reader is introduced to the portrait
before being introduced to Dorian himself. This signifies that his beauty is more important than
himself as a character. Dorian realises he will grow old and his youth will fade, but the portrait will
stay the way it is forever – its beauty will be persevered. The turning point comes in when Dorian says
aloud: “…If it were only the other way! …I would give my soul for that!” [Pg 33]. This idea of trading
his soul for eternal beauty is called the Faustian bargain. This is an allusion (reference) to the story of
Faust, who made a wish and sold his soul to the devil.
Youth and beauty are linked to innocence in this society, which leads to people not believing all the
horrible things Dorian has done later in the novel. This is evident when Basil confronts Dorian about
his lifestyle and the rumours that surround him, he says: “I don’t believe these rumours at all. At least
I can’t believe them when I see you. Sin is a thing that writes itself across a man’s face.” [Pg 171.]
Aestheticism
The idea that art should only be beautiful – art for art’s sake, beauty for beauty’s sake.
Appearance versus Reality
Dorian’s character as a whole resembles this, as appearance and reality contradict each other.
Dorian appears to be beautiful, innocent and pure, but in reality, he is corrupt, narcissistic and
immoral.
Prejudice
The aristocratic society Dorian, Lord Henry and Basil are a part of, enclose themselves in a circle of
opulence and wealth, which shelters them for the harshness of poverty the rest of society
experiences. Lower class citizens, Jewish people, women and the servants are often looked down
upon. Lord Henry has controversial opinions on many things, but especially marriage and women.
Wilde embodies women as shallow and only relevant in terms of who they marry. For example,
when the Duchess of Harley has to leave a party to meet her husband she says: “If I am late, he is
sure to be furious, and I couldn’t have a scene in this bonnet. It is far too fragile. A harsh word would
ruin it.” [Pg 51.]
Hedonism
The pursuit of pleasure. The idea that pleasure and happiness are sole components of well-being.
Some of Lord Henry’s influential words: “Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you! Let nothing be
lost upon you. Be always searching for new sensations. Be afraid of nothing…A new Hedonism – that
is what our century wants. You might be its visible symbol”. Lord Henry’s words make Dorian realise
the importance of beauty and youth: “...influences were at work within him” [Pg 26].
Chapter 2 of the novel is full of evidence showing Lord Henry’s influence over Dorian. Basil’s garden
can be alluded to the Garden of Eden, as like Adam and Eve were tempted which led to their
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downfalls, Lord Henry tempts Dorian to explore his senses and pleasures, which resultantly leads to
his downfall.
Other themes to note:
• Art and Life
• Homoerotism (more of a concept than a general theme) sexual attraction between member of
the same sex but not permanent idea like homosexuality.
• Pleasure and virtue
• Gothic Horror
Symbols
Symbols are important to bring up in literature essays as they reinforce the point. Some of the major
symbols have been included here, as you progress and study the novel, add notes and quotes, even
more symbols, to perfect literature essays.
The portrait
The portrait becomes a depiction of Dorian’s corrupt soul. The portrait directly resembles the
degradation of Dorian’s soul.
Flowers
Emphasises how temporary beauty really is. Dorian and Sibyl are often directly compared to flowers.
Basil’s garden
Allusion to the Garden of Eden.
Furniture and fabrics
By constantly surrounding himself with beautiful and luxuries things, Dorian attempts to make up for
the corruption and filth of his soul and lifestyle. Reinforces Dorian’s luxuries and wealthy lifestyle.
The Yellow Book gifted to Dorian from Lord Henry
The book sent by Lord Henry to Dorian after Sibyl’s death. The book contributes to his descent into
corruption. It is described as “... bound in yellow paper, the cover slightly torn and the edges soiled”.
[Pg 143.] Later, he asks Lord Henry never to lend it to anyone else. Dorian becomes completed
obsessed with the book; he eventually buys multiple copies and binds them in different colours to
accompany his moods.
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There are many more symbols! It’s important to link symbols to a contextual question or to use
them to back-up a point in an essay.
Use this space to take note of them:
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The Characters
Something to keep in mind (completely additional and external fact), Oscar Wilde said:
“Basil Hallward is what I think I am, Lord Henry is what the world thinks I am, and Dorian is what I’d like to be
in other ages perhaps”.
Main Characters: 3 wealthy, upper-class men.
Dorian Gray
• Astounding physical beauty and youthfulness
• In the beginning of the novel, [Chapter 2] he shows child-like innocence and behaviour.
• Pleasure-seeker with no regard for conventional morality.
• Basil’s artistic muse. Basil says; “I have put too much of myself into it” when he refers to the
portrait” as he is afraid,he has: “shown in it the secret of my own soul”.
• Basil refers to him as “absolutely necessary” [Pg15] to him.
• Lord Henry influences him tremendously.
• Immoral,
• Sibyl Vane’s “Prince Charming”.
• Ruins the lives of many people, including Sibyl Vane, Adrian Singleton, Lady Gwendolen
(Lord Henry’s sister), Lady Gloucester, the Duke of Berwick, Lord Stavely, Sir Henry Ashton,
Lord Kent’s son, the Duke of Perth, Alan Campbell, Hetty Merton and Basil Hallward to
name a few.
Basil Hallward
• High moral standard. “I hate the way you talk about your married life, Harry,” [Pg10].
• Amoral
• Deeply cares for Dorian.
• Was concerned about the influence Lord Henry would have over Dorian.
• Concerned about the degradation of Dorians soul (unlike Lord Henry).
• In Chapter 13, Dorian murders Basil. “…an uncontrollable feeling of hatred for Basil
Hallward came over him” [Pg182]. His death symbolises that Dorian will never regain a pure
nature.
Lord Henry Wotton
• Aesthete
• Critic
• Immoral
• Speaks in epigrams – saying something in an amusing way
