2_ANOE WaT 209 REPERTORY SEAGON | Fall 2018 Sy Guide ‘Aresurs of Dorin 6, THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY THEMES ‘YOUTH AND INNOCENCE “There is absolutely nothing in the world but youth!” Harry says this to Dorian after Dorian finishes modeling ‘or Basil's painting. Youth is inextricably linked to the appearance of innocence and beauty, and in Victorian society, which sported strict sets of social codes, the appearance of innocence and beauty are assets. There is hope in youth—hope for the future. We see this hope in Sibyl Vane, @ young actress who plays Juliet in Romeo and Juliat. Like Juliet, Sibyl is optimistic about love. She is an idealist. We see her idealism when we learn that she only knows Dorian as “Prince Charming.” It is only when Dorian breaks Siby's heart that she loses her childlike idealism and poisons herself. Dorian has an obsession with youth. The moment Basil finishes his portrait, Dorian grows jealous of his likeness in the portrait. He says: "How sad itis. | shall grow old, and horrid, and dreadful. But this picture will remain always young. It will never be older than this particular day of June... If ony it were the other way. If it were | who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old. For that... for that | would give everything. | would give my soul for that.” And in many ways, he does. As Dorian begins to do harm to others, his portrait begins to age, but he does not. He maintains his youth and his beauty at the cost of his innocence. MORALITY AND CORRUPTION Morality—or at least the appearance of morality— was of the utmost importance in the Victorian Ere. Throughout the novel and the play, Dorian’s selfishness leads to, the peril of others. While he is able to maintain the appearance of morality through the maintenance of his youth and beauty, his ikeness in Basi’ painting begins to physically change to display the decay of Dorien’s moral compass. Dorian attempts to hide the decay of his morality by covering the painting and stashing it in his attic. However, the figure of Dorian in the painting continues to age at a rapid rate. Despite his efforts to hide the deterioration of his morality, Dorian's fagade ‘eventually crumbles when he slashes his portrait with a knife—his inner corruption leads to his downfall. APPEARANCE AND IDENTITY Throughout the novel and the play, characters place each ‘other on pedestals: Basil confesses that he worships Dorian, Dorian states that he would like to put Sibyl “on a pedestal of gold and to see the world worship the woman who is [his],” Sibyl only refers to Dorian as “Prince Charming,” and Harry claims that “the world will always worship [Dorian.]" These displays of devotion are in large part based upon appearances—Basil and Horry ‘worship Dorian for his beauty just as Dorian worshi Sibyl for hers. However, worshipping another based on their appearance leads to an idealistic and unrealistic understanding of that person's core identity When Dorian invites Harry to attend Romeo and Juliet ‘and to meet the woman with whom he is in love, he describes Sibyl DORIAN: Tonight she is Rosalind, and tomorrow night she will be Juliet. HARRY: When is she Sibyl Vane? DORIAN: Never. Dorian holds a romanticized and unrealistic view of Sibyl ‘that she cannot and does not live up to just as Basil, Harry, and Sibyl hold idealized views of Dorian that he cannot and does net lve up to. This tension between how characters appear to each other and their true core identities proves deadly. LOVE AND SEXUALITY Throughout the novel and the play, many of the male characters seem to struggle with love and sexuality Although he is married, Harry has @ somewhat bleak, Lunromantic view on the institution of marriage. He says, “the one charm of marriage is that it makes a life of deception absolutely necessary.” This suggests that Harry has not found happiness in his marriage to Lady Henry. He even goes on to say that women “spoil every romance by making it last forever." Even further, Harry ‘expresses a degree of interest in Dorian as he frequently praises Dorian’s beauty. Itis also suggested that Basil is interested in Dorian romantically. When Basil first describes Dorian to Harry, he says, “Don't take away from me the one person that makes life absolutely lovely to me.” In fact, when Wilde ‘edited The Picture of Dorian Gray in response to reviews that said the romance depicted in it was too “vulgar” for the public, he trimmed Basil's displays of affection toward Dorian, making his infatuation less overt. However, Basil’ interest in Dorian is sil present in the work even if tis slightly more ambiguous. Dorian seems to have a tumultuous relationship with his sexuality. He expresses outright interest in women, and even considers marrying Sibyl. However, after committing ‘murder, Dorian calls up an old friend, Alan Campbell, for assistance. The past Alan and Dorian share is ambiguous, and when Dorian tries to bring it up, Alan responds by13. Anos vara 009 geextony sea SEASON | Fall 2018 Study Guide A cure of Doron GY THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY THEMES conrinuep. saying, “Don't speak about those days, Dorian, syn SP t those days, Dorian, 1d." Alan's recoil from a discus Suggests that there is great pain in the Pethaps the pain of heartbreak, {tis important to understand Oscar Wilde's sexuality when considering the role sexuality plays in the story. Wilde himself was married with two children, yet he identified as gay. However, due to the strict laws and social codes of the 19% century, he was eventually imprisoned for his sexuality. When discussing his ‘connection to the characters in The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde says this: “Basil Hallward is what | think | am: Lord Henry is what the world thinks of me: Dorian is what, would like to be ~in other ages, perhaps.” they of the past shared past— LIFE AND ART “Lam s0 glad that you have never done anything, never carved a statue, or painted @ picture, or produced anything outside of yourself. Life has been your art.” Harry says this to Dorian near the end of the story. Throughout the novel and the play, we see, quite obviously, that for Dorian, life and art are interconnected—a portrait of Dorian changes and ages 25 Dorian begins to commit increasingly heinous acts. Dorian even states his opinion about the connection between life and art. When speaking to Sibyl, Dorian says, “without your art, you are nothing.” This mirrors Dorian’s own relationship to art: without his portrait, he is nothing, Dorian’s portrait provides him with 9 picture of the state of his soul. Without his soul, he is nothing—"A face without a heart.” # Peta f Bova ray” by han bight 198-4