Dorian Gray Study Guide Final Document To Submit PDF

A Study Guide:
The Picture of Dorian Gray–Oscar Wilde
Contents
1. Note from the Compilers Pg 2
2. Introduction to the Text Pg 2
3. Chapter Summaries and Synopsis Pg 4
4. Character Analyses Pg 18
5. Themes and Symbols Pg 19
6. Answering the Contextual Questions Pg 21
7. Answering Essay Questions on Dorian Gray Pg 28
8. Suggested Answers Pg 32
[Source: https://www.rohanjolly.com/books/the-picture-of-dorian-gray.]
Dorian Gray Study Guide 2023 UMLAZI DISTRICT Page 1 of 42

1. Note from the Compilers
Dear Learner.
We trust that you will find this study guide helpful in preparing for your final examination
on The Picture of Dorian Gray.
This is a guide to help once you have actively worked through the text in class with
your educator. You should use this guide to facilitate your studying process once you
have a thorough working knowledge of the text.
We hope you will interact with this guide to consolidate what you do know and highlight
what you need to revise.
We would like to acknowledge and thank Mrs R. Naicker from Protea Secondary
School for her editing of this document.
Wishing you all the best as you prepare for your most important High School
examinations.
Yours most sincerely
A Scott (Amanzimtoti High School)

C Beyleveld (Amanzimtoti High School)
N Maistry (Queensburgh High School)
2. Introduction to the Text

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is a Victorian Gothic Novel. Original Gothic
novels tended to be set in the Medieval period. Later Victorian Gothic tended to lack
the erotic historical setting but developed "a brooding atmosphere of gloom and terror".
Supernatural or macabre events were part of the genre, and psychological aberration
was also part of the subject matter. Some examples of Gothic Horror are Stokes'
Dracula and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Before we continue, it is important to get some background on the author, Oscar Wilde.
Wilde was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1854. His mother was a poet known for her
unconventional dress sense and love of parties. His parents instilled in him an
appreciation for literature. Hence, Oscar Wilde started writing poetry while living in
London. Due to his flamboyant lifestyle, he soon attracted attention. The Picture of
Dorian Gray was first published in 1890. The novel caused significant controversy
because it contained references to homosexuality, which was illegal at the time. The
following year, Wilde published an adapted version in which he altered the offending
passages and added new chapters. In addition a Preface was added to function as a
manifesto for the Aesthetic Movement, as well as a defence of the novel.
The Victorian Era was a time of new inventions and more factories being built. People
were exposed to new philosophies and political changes. There was a huge shift in
values. The Picture of Dorian Gray deals with London’s upper class (aristocrats). The
upper class was wealthy, cultured and educated. They spent a lot of their time
attending dinner parties, the opera, etc. Their 'bored' lifestyle led to immorality and

sexual experimentation. This took place privately and caused Oscar Wilde to call them
hypocrites.
The novel’s setting depicts much of the reality of the Victorian era, events, fashions etc.
Even the opium dens were a realistic concept.
Statistics in brief:
Literary period: Aestheticism

Genre: Aestheticism/ Philosophical Fiction/ Gothic Fiction
Setting: London
Antagonist: There are many antagonistic INFLUENCES on Dorian, including
the average day-to-day life in London of the time, such as fashion,
classism, obsessions with reputation.
These ideas appear to be embodied by Lord Henry Wotton as the
main antagonist of the story.
Point of View: Omniscient Narration.
Interesting to * Dorian Gray Syndrome is still known in psychological circles to
know: describe severe narcissistic personalities.
* Apparently there is a real life Dorian–a man named John Gray,

who was VERY handsome. He signed his love letters from
‘Dorian’ after Wilde created Dorian Gray to have his lover’s
surname. However, it is said that Wilde left him for his new love,
Lord Alfred Douglas.
[Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1235124/.]

3. Chapter Summaries and Synopses
An important note to the learner:
 These summaries are outside the domain of an in-depth reading of the actual
text and are meant to facilitate learning only once you have read the full text!
 These summaries have been designed to make you engage with them, so fill in the
blanks so that you are not merely passively reading, but actively engaging.
Chapter 1
In Chapter 1, Oscar Wilde introduces the story. The reader is immediately thrown into
1._____ _____’s studio, where he is painting and his friend, 2._____ ____ (also known as
Harry) is relaxing as the two men speak about the artist’s muse, a young man who is
incredibly beautiful. Harry is confident that this is the artist’s best work to date and that this
portrait should be exhibited. The artist refuses as he has “put too much of 3._____ in it.”
Basil does not want to tell Harry who the subject is, but accidentally reveals that the subject is
one 4. _____ _____. Harry is intrigued by how Basil speaks about Dorian. Harry indicates
that he wants to meet this muse, however, Basil is adamant that he does not want Harry to
meet Dorian. This only serves to pique Harry’s 5. _____ further. At this, the butler enters to
inform Basil that he has another visitor, none other than Dorian himself. Harry is excited that
he gets to meet Dorian. Basil pleads with Harry not to 6. _____ Dorian.
Harry is disparaging of Basil’s pleas, even dismissive as he tells Basil that he talks 7. _____.
Important quotes for this chapter:

Basil: - When I leave town now I never tell my people where I am going. If I did, I
should lose all my pleasure.
- Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of
the sitter. The sitter is merely the accident, the occasion. It is not he
who is revealed by the painter; it is rather the painter who, on the
coloured canvas, reveals himself. The reason that I will not exhibit this
picture is that I am afraid that I have shown in it the secret of my own
soul.
Lord Henry: - You seem to forget that I am married, and the one charm of marriage is
that it makes a life of deception absolutely necessary for both parties.
Chapter 2
1. _____ reluctantly introduces Dorian Gray to 2. _____. Basil playfully chastises Dorian
about sitting for his 3. _____. Lord Henry reveals he is aware of Dorian through his aunt
4. _____. Dorian looked so innocent to Lord Henry that he immediately felt a sense of
5. _____, purely based on his facial features. Lord Henry believes that Basil 6. _____
Dorian. Lord Henry converses with Dorian and begins to 7. _____ when Dorian begs him to
stay and continue their conversation.
The first sign of Lord Henry’s 8. _____ is when he says, “You are too charming to go in for
philanthropy, Mr. Gray—far too charming". This conversation took place away from Basil as
he overheard their conversation Basil was not impressed. As Basil continued to work in the

absence of Dorian, Lord Henry continued to flatter Dorian in the garden as he speaks of his
good looks and 9. _____ him about his looks fading. Basil was annoyed with the
conversation that was taking place between these two gentlemen. Lord Henry encourages
Dorian to live life to the 10. _____ as he prepares to leave. However, Dorian is
captivated by Lord Henry as he insists that Basil convince Lord Henry not to go. Here the
reader is made aware that Lord Henry’s brief encounter with the young man has already
drawn interest and fascinated him enough to be invited for a visit. Lord Henry further
appreciates the portrait as he 11. _____ Basil’s artistic abilities to capture his subject.
However, Dorian was not happy with the portrait yet Basil continued to praise Dorian’s beauty.
According to Basil, the expression he captured must have been thanks to Lord Henry’s
engaging conversation that excited Dorian. It is during this chapter that Dorian 12. _____ his
physical image and casts his 13. _____ into the portrait.
Lord Henry: - You are too charming to go in for philanthropy, Mr. Gray—far too
charming.
- There is no such thing as a good influence, Mr. Gray. All influence is
immoral—immoral from the scientific point of view.
- It is in the brain, and the brain only, that the great sins of the world take
place also.
- Because you have the most marvelous youth, and youth is the one thing
worth having.
Dorian: - Yes, there is nothing in the whole world I would not give! I would give my
soul for that!
- I am jealous of everything whose beauty does not die.
- Yes, it was for the long palette-knife, with its thin blade of lithe steel. He
had found it at last. Was going to rip up the canvas.
Basil: - At least you are like it in appearance. But it will never alter. That is
something.
Chapter 3
The day after Dorian makes his 1. _____, Lord Henry goes to visit his 2. _____, Lord Fermor
as he is intrigued and wants to learn more about Dorian’s background. This gives the reader
the information that we need about Dorian too.
Through Lord Fermour, we learn that Dorian is the son of the extremely beautiful, Margaret
Devereux, who went against her father’s wishes to marry a soldier– she married 3. _____ of
her class. Her father, Lord Kelso effectively had Dorian’s father murdered. Unfortunately,
Lady Devereux was already pregnant with 4. _____. Dorian’s mother died shortly after giving
birth, so Dorian was left an orphan, and he was the heir to both his mother’s fortune as well as
his Grandfather’s fortune.
Harry then goes to a lunch party at Lady Agatha’s. Dorian happens to be at the party as well.
The reader begins to see Lord Henry’s character as he delivers a number of his 5. _____
(statements that contain general truths, delivered in funny ways). We also begin to see his
aesthetic views and his paradoxical way of viewing life and its experiences.
At the end of the lunch party, Dorian and Lord Henry leave together, foreshadowing their
strengthening friendship and Lord Henry’s growing 6. _____ on Dorian.

Lord Henry: - I can sympathise with everything, except suffering.
Mr Erskine: - I am too fond of reading books to care to write them.
Chapter 4
Dorian reveals his excitement to Lord Henry that he has fallen madly in love with 1. _____.
Dorian meets Lady Henry and describes her dress sense and looks as 2. _____. He gives
Lord Henry the details of the lady he has fallen in love with describing as her 3. _____. His
passion for the lady leaves Lord Henry unimpressed. The lady refers to Dorian as 4. _____.
Dorian is smitten with the various 5. _____ she plays on stage as he falls in-love every night.
Dorian has been such a good student to Lord Henry’s 6.____ that he now confesses putting
them to practice. Lord Henry advised Dorian not to 7. _____ for women as they are not worth
the effort because they are 8. ____. The reader is made to see that Lord Henry does not see
women as intelligent but something to look at and admire. He fills Dorian’s mind with his
lifestyle, including belittling women.
Lord Henry regards faithfulness in marriage as 9. _____. He recognises Dorian as his own
10. _____. He later receives a letter from Dorian to inform him that he was 11. _____ to Sybil
Vane.
Lady Henry: - I like Wagner's music better than anybody's. It is so loud that one can talk
the whole time without other people hearing what one says. That is a
great advantage: don't you think so?
Dorian - Some of them fascinated me. Others filled me with terror.
Lord Henry: - Don't run down dyed hair and painted faces. There is an extraordinary
charm in them, sometimes …
- You were quite right. There is always something infinitely mean about
other people's tragedies.
Chapter 5
In Chapter 5, Sibyl and her mother talk about Sibyl’s blossoming relationship with Dorian –
even though neither of them knows his real name. In her youth and 1. _____, Sibyl is
ecstatically in love and wants her mother to be happy for her. Mrs Vane is more practical and
pragmatic about the situation. Mrs Vane has ‘real life’ considerations, specifically the money
that they owe Mr Isaacs. Mrs Vane is only willing to consider a marriage between 2. _____
and 3. _____ if the latter is 4. _____.
Sibyl’s brother, 5. _____ comes in. He is a deeply embittered and angry sixteen-year-old. He
is on the eve of sailing away to Australia. The family dynamics are made clear, as Sibyl is
innocently unaware of the tensions between her mother and brother. James is very protective
of Sibyl and even antagonistic towards their mother.
Sibyl and James go for a walk in the 6. _____. Sibyl’s idealism makes her create elaborate
stories of how James’ travels are going to pan out. While James is even more surly than
before, his 7.____ of ‘Prince Charming’, due to firstly his class and secondly his relationship
with Sibyl, is evident. He threatens to kill ‘Prince Charming’ if he should hurt Sibyl, in any
way.

Upon arrival back home, James confronts his mother about rumours that he has heard about
his parentage and her relationship with his father. Mrs Vane almost enjoys the interaction in a
detached way as if she were playing the part of an actress.
Sybil Vane: - And yet--why, I cannot tell —though I feel so much beneath him, I don't
feel humble. I feel proud, terribly proud.
Mrs Vane: - Women defend themselves by attacking, just as they attack by sudden
and strange surrenders.
James Vane: - You are more likely to forget me than I am to forget you, Sybil.
Chapter 6
Basil joins Lord Henry for dinner and receives news that Dorian is engaged to 1. _____ Sybil
Vane. Both the gentlemen discuss the news but 2. _____ is upset by the news. However,
Lord Henry is glad that she is apparently 3._____. During this era, 4. _____ looks were very
important to high society, as if they were morally correct despite how badly they lived or
behaved.
Dorian’s excitement about his love for Sybil placed him in euphoria, and he never addressed
her as Sybil, but as the characters she portrayed.
Dorian joins Basil and Lord Henry for their dinner together when Lord Henry tries his best to
talk Dorian out of love with Sybil. It’s here Basil makes a profound statement that “Dorian is
not like other men, he will not bring 5._____ upon anyone”. Basil is totally taken with Dorian
and thoroughly believes in his 6. _____. Yet, Basil is terribly disturbed by the announcement
that Dorian is to marry Sybil, and it affects his visible mood during that evening.
Lord Henry: - The reason we all like to think so well of others is that we are all afraid for
ourselves.
- I have known everything … but I am always ready for a new emotion.
Basil: - He is not like other men. He would never bring misery upon anyone. His
nature is too fine for that.
- But, surely, if one lives merely for oneself, Harry, one pays a terrible price
for doing so?
Chapter 7
Dorian, Basil and Harry go to the theatre to see Sibyl act as Juliet. Lord Henry sees what
Dorian was speaking about with Sibyl’s beauty. However he fails to see what Dorian has
described as an acting genius. Sibyl’s acting is lacklustre and nothing like they were led to
believe.
Dorian is 1. _____ with his 2. _____’s acting. Although the theatre was crowded at the
beginning, at half time, half of the audience left along with 3. _____ and 4. _____ while 5.
_____ stays until the end.
Afterwards, backstage, Sibyl is thrilled with her terrible performance as she feels that it shows
that she cannot enact a fake love anymore now that she has experienced the ‘real thing’. She
expects Dorian to understand that this is a symbol of how deep her love is for him. Dorian is
cold and disgusted as he 6. _____ her. Sibyl pleads and begs for another chance to prove
herself. Dorian ends their 7. _____ and leaves. He aimlessly walks the streets until he goes
home just before sunrise.

He notices that the portrait of himself has changed, that there is a look of 8. _____ around the
mouth. He studies himself in the mirror and sees that he looks as beautiful as always. He is
reminded of the wish that he made at Basil’s studio. Dorian is certain that this is impossible.
However, the portrait does indeed seem to have 9. _____. Dorian questions himself and if he
was indeed cruel to Sibyl, but eventually comes to decide that Sibyl was at fault, not himself,
that he is the 10. _____ in this whole situation and that he should just forget about her.
Dorian continues to consider the portrait. He realises that it will act as his conscience, and he
vows that he will live a sin-free life, so as not to change the portrait as it reflects his 11. _____.
He decides to stop allowing Lord Henry to influence him and to go to Sibyl, make amends and
to 12. _____ her. Dorian covers the portrait with a screen.
Basil: - Anyone you love must be marvelous, and any girl that has the effect you
describe must be fine and noble.
Lord Henry: - They are both simply forms of imitation.
Sybil Vane: - Dorian, you should have understood. But you understand now, don't you?
Dorian: - Without your art you are nothing.
Chapter 8
Dorian is awoken very late by his 1. _____ who presents his breakfast. Leisurely, he comes
to reality when he recalls the image of the 2. _____. The reader is made aware that Dorian is
quite perplexed by the image 3. _____ and questions its authenticity. He doesn’t believe what
he saw and finds it quite amusing the more he ponders but admits that the 4. _____ has
changed.
Dorian begins to have 5. _____ of his behaviour to Sybil and wishes to rescind them by
continuing with the intended 6. _____ as he pens a letter begging her forgiveness. When Lord
Henry arrives to comfort Dorian, he is unaware that Dorian did not receive the message that
Sybil is dead. Instead, Dorian is filled with remorse towards her for the night before. When
Lord Henry broke the news to him of Sybil’s death he became 7. _____. Lord Henry is wary
that there is an 8. _____ into her death and Dorian will be implicated.
As they discuss the life and death of Sybil, Lord Henry advises Dorian that Sybil was not
ready for real life and her 9. _____ proves it. To say the least, she was a bad actress.
Dorian is left alone with his conscience: the portrait stares back at him as if 10. _____. He
confesses to himself after 11. _____ the situation that life goes on and there is no point
mourning, but like a Greek god, he will be strong and continue living well.
Dorian: - It would serve as a tale to tell Basil someday. It would make him smile.
- I am perfectly happy now. Know what conscience is, to begin with. It is
not what you told me it was. It is the divinest thing in us.
- How extraordinarily dramatic life is.
- No one has ever understood me as you have.
Lord Henry: - One can always be kind to people about whom one cares nothing.
- I was terribly cruel to her. You forget that.

Chapter 9
During breakfast the next day, 1. _____arrives and is upset about the news of Sibyl’s death.
He was worried about Dorian. Basil cannot believe that Dorian was out the night before at the
2. _____ . Dorian seems unconcerned, even bored about Sybil. Basil is even more horrified
that Dorian has not been to see Mrs Vane and his cold manner. Basil blames Dorian’s attitude
on the influence of 3. _____.
Dorian’s bitterness and inability to accept the consequences of his actions are clear when he
tells Basil that he owes more to Lord Henry than he does to Basil himself who ironically
Dorian believes only taught him to be 4. _____. In a dark foreshadowing of events, Basil
replies that he is already punished or that he will be someday.
Basil becomes more visibly upset upon hearing that Sibyl’s death was suicide. Dorian,
however, in Lord Henry’s style, merely considers it almost art. And he further points out that
he did mourn her… for a moment.
Basil then tells Dorian that he intends to exhibit his 5. _____ and asks to see it. Dorian is
panicked at this news as he does not want his secret revealed to everyone, so he reminds
Basil that he had never intended to exhibit it. Dorian then remembers a conversation that he
had with 6. _____ and in true manipulative style, manages to avoid telling his secret, but
forces Basil’s secret out of him.
Basil: - But I was afraid of intruding upon a sorrow that I could not lighten.
Dorian: - It is only shallow people who require years to get rid of an emotion
- I suffered immensely. Then it passed away. I cannot repeat an emotion.
- "If you try to look at it, on my word of honour I will never speak to you
again as long as I live.
- You people who go in for being consistent have just as many moods as
others have. The only difference is that your moods are rather
meaningless.
Chapter 10
Dorian becomes aware that the portrait changing will raise eyebrows so he wants to 1. _____
it from all eyes. His only choice is to lock it in the old school room he used as a 2. _____.
When he first saw the portrait, he was taken aback by the 3. _____ of his own image captured
by Basil in such detail. Yet now, he is 4. _____ at what he sees and desires only to rid his
eyes of it for what was once beauty is totally grotesque. Dorian calls in the frame maker,
5. _____ who arrives, not aware of his assignment but is told to 6. _____ the portrait (which
Dorian had covered) upstairs to the old school room.
Dorian is thrown into another emotional state when he reads the local newspaper sent to him
by Lord Henry that there is an 7. _____ into Sybil’s death. It is after this announcement that
Dorian decides to read the 8. _____ book, sent by Lord Henry. Here we encounter his
character again 9. _____ by the hands of Lord Henry. The book 10. _____ him to a point
where he loses track of time.
Dorian: - I simply want to see the place—that is all.
- I am so sorry you have given yourself the trouble of coming round.

- I am so sorry, but really it is entirely your fault. That book you sent me so
fascinated me that I forgot how the time was going.
Mr Hubbard: - Ever ready to do anything for you.
Chapter 11
The narrator contextualises this chapter and makes the reader aware that many 1. _____
have passed between the end of Chapter 10 and the start of Chapter 11.
Dorian has allowed the 2. _____ to eclipse Lord Henry in his views on life.
Rumours abound about Dorian’s escapades and activities; however when people see him,
they cannot 3. _____ the rumours to be true due to the 4. _____ of his face and youthful
appearance. People cannot believe that someone who looks so pure can be so depraved
and 5. _____ in behaviour.
Dorian often goes to the attic to view the portrait that now shows an old, ugly and aged man
that visibly shows the debauchery of Dorian’s lifestyle. Through this, he becomes even more
in love with his good 6. _____.
Dorian enters the underworld of London, near the 7. _____, partaking in all sorts of activities,
including 8. _____ and sexual encounters. He is very clever in keeping his two worlds, the
world of the upper class and his more deviant and socially 9. _____ world, completely
separate through the use of assumed names and disguises. He seeks experiences and a life
of 10. _____ without regret and obligation, and he does not concern himself with who he may
hurt as he goes about gaining his experiences.
Narrator: - His mere presence seemed to recall to them the memory of the innocence
that they had tarnished. They wondered how one so charming and
graceful as he was could have escaped the stain of an age that was
at once sordid and sensual.
- Yes: there was to be, as Lord Henry had prophesied, a new Hedonism
that was to recreate life, and to save if from that harsh, uncomely
puritanism that is having, in our own day, its curious revival.
- He knew that the senses, no less than the soul, have their spiritual
mysteries to reveal.
- The fantastic character of these instruments fascinated him, and he felt a
curious delight in the thought that Art, like Nature, has her monsters,
things of bestial shape and with hideous voices.
- There were moments when he looked on evil simply as a mode through
which he could realise his conception of the beautiful.
Chapter 12
Basil visits Dorian prior to his 1.___ departure. He awaits at Dorian’s house for a few hours
until Basil allows the 2.___ to retire for the evening. He continues to wait on Dorian. However,
soon he tires of waiting and leaves with the intention of locating Dorian only to pass him on
the street to the infamous club that Dorian frequents.
Here Basil confesses his 3.____ intentions and his urgent need to visit Dorian. They engage
in conversation returning to Dorian’s house (however Dorian appears 4._____ to visit with
Basil even though it had been a long time since Dorian had last seen him).

As the reader, you will be first to witness Dorian’s 5._____ to Basil, who values and holds
Dorian in high esteem. Dorian manipulates Basil, despite his obvious flaw, to lure him into a
fatal position.
Basil is genuinely concerned about Dorian’s 6._____ in high society. Several 7.____ have
been circulating and Basil needed to alert Dorian of the ills spoken of him. Now, the reader is
aware that these rumours are not ill gossip or suspicions but truths. Dorian has lived a very
8.____ life.
Basil is being 9._____ by the knowledge of those rumours and Dorian feels no
10. ____ to 11.______ him.
Dorian: - A strange sense of fear, for which he could not account, came over him.
- I am sorry you are going away, as I have not seen you for ages. But I
suppose you will be back soon?
Basil: - I want to speak to you seriously. Don't frown like that. You make it so
much more difficult for me.
- Why is your friendship so fatal to young men?
- You have a wonderful influence, be for good, not for evil.
- As for what I said to you to-night, I said it for your good. You know I
have been always a staunch friend to you.
- All I want is a plain answer to my question.
Chapter 13
In this climactic chapter, Dorian leads Basil to the 1. _____. He is somewhat excited to share
his 2. _____. Dorian informs Basil that he is about to have his wish granted… to see his
3. _____. When Dorian takes the cover off of the portrait, Basil cannot suppress his cry of
horror at what his originally beautiful artwork now looks like. Dorian has a frighteningly
4. _____ demeanour about him as he watches Basil mentally piece together that this is
indeed his portrait.
Basil sits down almost as if he has lost strength, and he begins to cry and beg Dorian to 5.
_____, he tells him that it is not too late to pray to save his soul. He also takes some of the
blame (as Dorian would wish) onto himself, saying that he was wrong to 6. _____ Dorian as
he did. He begs Dorian to 7. _____ with him. Dorian tells Basil that it is too late for that and
his feelings of 8. _____ for Basil simmer to a boil. Dorian slowly stalks towards a knife and
stabs Basil in the neck over and over again until Basil is dead.
Dorian appears emotionally 9. _____ by the murder that he has committed but realises that
he needs to cover up his tracks. He leaves the house and circles back around to make it
appear that he has just arrived home. He calls his servant, Francis, to let him in, as he has
‘left his keys in the house’ thereby creating his alibi that he was not at home. Francis reports
that 10. _____ had been waiting for Dorian and Dorian cements his alibi in stating that he is
sorry to have missed him.
Dorian: - You are the one man in the world who is entitled to know everything about
me.
- Then I must do it myself.
- In a mad moment, that, even now, I don't know whether I regret or not, I
made a wish, perhaps you would call it a prayer.
- You have done enough evil in your life.
Basil: - I remember it! Oh, how well I remember it!
- What does this mean? His own voice sounded shrill and curious in his
ears.
- Good God, Dorian, what a lesson ! what an awful lesson!
Chapter 14
This chapter begins as we witness a man sleeping peacefully. Dorian is awoken by his butler,
who finds him in a deep sleep. As the reader, you are exposed to the evolving Dorian, whose
1.___ has shown to have been removed, just as his soul lives in the portrait so does his
conscience.
As he lays in bed, he recalls his ordeal and loathing for 2. _____ _______ He blames Basil
for his demise as if to absolve himself from murder.
Dorian began his day leisurely, with no 3.____ of what had transpired the night before nor
was there any urgency to address Basil’s dead body which lay in the 4.___ _______ _____.
He continued his day routine but some things reminded him of Basil as he walked about.
Alan Campbell (a scientist and once a 5.____ ______ to Dorian) was his first thought to help
him. They parted ways many years before thereafter, 6. ___ was not friendly. Their
relationship was not detailed to the reader. However, Dorian now needed Alan but was wary
that Alan could be unavailable. He sent a message for Alan to see him at his home,
addressing the invite as a matter of 7._____ __ ____. Dorian anxiously awaits Alan,
uncertain if he would accept the invite.
Upon Alan’s arrival, Dorian shares his expectations of Alan. The men get into an 8. ____ over
Basil’s death, which Dorian refuses to divulge but eventually 9. _____. Alan then refuses to
be a part of Dorian’s plan to rid Basil’s body from the old school room. Dorian’s plan is that no
one must know of Basil’s death but believe he is in 10. ____. Dorian goes on to explain that
he murdered Basil because Basil is to blame for his life being so painfully bad. He urges Alan
to help or his life will be 11. ____. When Alan refuses to help, Dorian 12. ____ him into
performing the heinous act. Alan is not allowed to leave Dorian’s house until the deed is
done. His butler will aid Alan in retrieving all that Alan needs in ridding Basil’s body from
Dorian’s house.
When Alan is done, Dorian inspects the room and finds the body gone. Alan was so thorough
that the smell of 13. ____ is all that filled the air of the old school room.
Dorian: - He winced at the memory of all that he had suffered.
- He glanced at his own white taper fingers, shuddering slightly in spite of
himself.
- They had been great friends once, five years before —almost
inseparable, indeed.
Alan
Campbell: - I had intended never to enter your house again.
- Whether what you have told me is true or not true, doesn't concern me.
- Do you think I am going to peril my reputation for you?

Chapter 15
After 1. ______ has left, after completing his ‘experiment’, Dorian attends a dinner party at
2. _____. Dorian is bored until Harry arrives. Dorian is not the life and soul of the party, in
fact he is listless and irritable. He does drink many glasses of 3. _____. Lord Henry notices
Dorian’s demeanour and asks if all is well. He then asks where Dorian was the night before
and Dorian gets very flustered and defensive. Henry notes Dorian’s abnormal behaviour, but
is 4. _____ to it.
Dorian leaves the party and goes home to get rid of the other evidence of Basil’s presence, he
burns Basil’s 5. _____ and 6. _____. After still being unsettled, he partakes in some kind of
7. _____ and then dresses in one of his disguises and goes out.
Lady
Narborough: - How horrid of Henry Wotton to be so late! I sent round to him this
morning on chance, and he promised faithfully not to disappoint me.
Lord Henry: - The husbands of very beautiful women belong to the criminal classes.
- A man can be happy with any woman, as long as he does not love her.
Chapter 16
Dorian frequently visits the 1. ___ ___ in the dark of the day as he 2.____ his 3. _____. This
is something that Basil was concerned about society talking about these visits. Dorian now
recalls words spoken by 4. ____ ____ when they first met that curing his soul by means of
senses and the senses by means of the soul. At the time, it did mean much to Dorian but now
it all makes sense, therefore he finds himself trying to cure his soul or to numb his 5.____ with
opium.
At the opium den, Dorian runs into 6. ______ _______ at the bar. Their friendship was
equally 7. _____ by Dorian, as society also shunned Adrian. Dorian shared a few 8. _____
with Adrian and they parted ways. As Dorian began to exit the den a 9. ______ approached
him and he assumed she wanted money, after giving her the money she laughed at him and
referred to him as 10. ____ _______. That name was long ago associated with 11. _____. It
stunned Dorian for a brief moment.
Dorian hastily made his way through his usual route only to be caught off guard by a sailor by
the name of 12. ____ ____, He heard 13. ____ _____ at the bar refer to Dorian as Prince
Charming. This alerted James in his drunken state to avenge his sister’s death. James was
convinced it was the same man who caused Sybil much 14. ____ but when Dorian was
caught he was so afraid and realised it was best to use his looks to deceive James. James
believed that it was not the man he had been seeking for the past 15.____ years based on
how young Dorian appeared.
After he was convinced he almost murdered the wrong man, James apologised and went
back to the bar. The woman asked him why he didn’t go through with killing Dorian and
explained that Dorian was far too 16. ____. She told him he made a mistake and that Dorian
is believed to have sold his soul to the devil that is why he looks so young but he is Prince
Charming. James was 17. ____ and went out again in search of Dorian.

Narrator: - (Referring to Dorian) He hurried on towards the left, glancing back now
and then to see if he was being followed.
Adrian: - None of the chaps will speak to me now.
Dorian: - I am sick of women who love one. Women who hate one are much more
interesting.
- You will write to me if you want anything, won't you.
- You are mad. What have I done to you?
Woman - Strike me dumb if it ain't so. He is the worst one that comes here.
from the
Bar:
Chapter 17
A 1. _____ after his near miss with 2. _____, Dorian is entertaining guests at 3. _____, his
country estate. After much banter and light flirtation between Dorian and the Duchess of
4._____ (Gladys), with Harry adding in his piece here and there, Dorian goes to fetch the
Duchess some 5._____ for that evening.
While in his 6. _____ (a sunroom in a house that is sheltered from the harsher elements of the
weather, mainly used to grow plants indoors) Dorian sees James Vane’s face looking at him
through the window and 7. _____ in 8._____. When he comes round, Harry tells him not to go
down to supper that evening; however Dorian is too afraid to be 9. _____ and is unusually
bright and gay in his bearing at supper, however, every now and then the 10. _____ washes
over him.
Lord Henry: - I was thinking chiefly of flowers. Yesterday I cut an orchid, for my
buttonhole.
- Romance lives by repetition, and repetition converts an appetite into an
art.
Dorian: - I admit that I think that it is better to be beautiful than to be good. But on
the other hand no one is more ready than I am to acknowledge that it is
better to be good than to be ugly.
- You fill me with apprehension. The appeal to Antiquity is fatal to us who
are romanticists.
- I would rather come down. I must not be alone.
Chapter 18
Dorian is now filled with 1.___ and 2. ____ at how close he came to 3. ____ the night before
at the hands of James Vane. He is afraid to go outside, and he becomes paranoid that
James will come to his house. He then reassures himself that James 4. _____ that he was not
Prince Charming and would be long gone.
Lord Henry visits Dorian earlier in the evening to find him 5.____ as if from a broken heart.
After many days he decides to leave his house and visit with the Duchess and his friends; he
hopes to feel better. At his home he allowed gentlemen to shoot birds as a game. He 6. ____
the Duchess’s brother shooting at the birds for sport as they were engaging in conversation.

Sir Geoffrey shoots at a hare only to hear the cries of a 7. ____ emerge from behind the
bushes.
Dorian gets upset about shooting a man as 8. ____ _____ suggests that it is time to end the
sport for the day. No one recognises the dead man, but he is identified as a 9._____ based
on his 10. _____. They found that he had no identification but a 11. ____. This brings Dorian
such 12. _____ as he realises that it was James Vane who was still stalking him. He was
filled with 13. ____ . He could not express that his life is not 14. _____ anymore.

Dorian: - I suppose you have come about the unfortunate accident of this morning,
Thornton?
Lord Henry: - I had better tell them that the shooting is stopped for to-day. It would not
look well to go on.
- I must tell them that the subject is to be tabooed.
Chapter 19
Back in 1. _____, Dorian explains his plans to change himself to Lord Henry. Lord Henry tells
him not to change. Dorian is certain that he already has as he ended a relationship with a
country girl, 2. _____ _____, 3. _____ she could fall in love with him as he sees it. Harry points
out that Dorian has probably left Hetty broken-hearted any way. Dorian is 4. _____ that
Henry does not see the good in his actions.
The conversation turns to the 5. _____ of Basil. Dorian skirts very close to what happened,
even asking Henry what he would say if Dorian told him that he had 6. _____ Basil and once
again, Harry is disparaging and dismisses the idea immediately.
They then talk about the ‘missing’ 7. _____ of Dorian. This conversation allows the reader to
understand that Dorian has indeed covered up all the irregularities. Dorian also adds that he
is 8. _____ that he sat for it… a very interesting comment. They also discuss the 9. _____,
and the reader gets a glimpse into Dorian’s torment. Harry might not see it completely, but
the reader, with 10. _____ _____ can read between the lines.
Although he doesn’t feel like it, Dorian promises to join Harry and Gladys the following day
and he leaves.
Lord Henry: - There are no temptations there. That is the reason why people who live
out of town are so absolutely uncivilised.
- I should think the novelty of the emotion must have given you a thrill of
real pleasure.
- Anything becomes a pleasure if one does it too often.
- There was something in your touch that was wonderful. It had more
expression than I had ever heard from it before.
Dorian: - You mock at everything, and then suggest the most serious tragedies. I
am sorry I told you now. I don't care what you say to me.
- What do you think has happened to Basil?
- The memory of the thing is hateful to me.
Chapter 20

Dorian is noticed all around town. Whenever he is about, people recognise him. Years ago, it
was an 1._____ to be recognised, Dorian felt this but these days he 2. _____ _____enjoy the
attention.
He begins to 3. ______ about his life as he recalls lying to the ladies about his 4. _____ and
5. _______. According to a girl, he could not be a wicked man because they are 6. ____ and
7. _____. Society believed that the rich good-looking people were 8.______ of any crime they
could be accused of and that they live pure good lives in society.
This association displeased Dorian as he knew the heinous crimes he committed despite what
society thought of him. He becomes consumed with 9._____ as he examines his life.
Seemingly, to blame no one but himself for wanting to look good, Dorian is filled with anger as
he vents at the very image he admired in the mirror; that Lord Henry had given to him many
years ago. Dorian questions himself as he tries to understand whether his good looks are worth
having by giving up a good, decent character.
As regret consumes Dorian, he recalls the 10.____ he brought on, which he blames on Basil,
and thus justifies his killing. He convinces himself that Basil was the main cause of his demise
and that is why Basil’s death is well-deserved. He takes no responsibility for his actions.
In his moment of regret, he comes to believe, since his conscience is clear the portrait will be
back to its former beauty, so he heads to the old school room to examine it. As he 11._____
the portrait he comes to believe that nothing has changed and that it is as if the portrait is
mocking him with the image that stares back at him. He decides to get rid of the painting, since
he got rid of the painter then the painting must go too. With the very 12.____ he used to kill
Basil, he decides he will stab the painting and it will go back to being itself. Unfortunately for
Dorian he was found by his servants dead of the floor. His cry of agony had alerted them to
investigate his presence or lack thereof. This led to them finding the beautiful portrait on the
wall but an old man dead on the floor stabbed with a knife.
Dorian was the 13.____ of his own fatal flaws. He had the 14.____ to change or stop the life
but he continued to live but he wanted something that brought on misery and unhappiness. He
led a 15.______ lifestyle, fueled by his need for 16. ______ and love for self.
Dorian: - The world is changed because you are made of ivory and gold. The
curves of your lips rewrite history.
- His suicide had been his own act. He had chosen to do it. It was nothing
to him.

Now complete the following visual representation of the plot.

4. Character Analyses
Complete the following table of characters with the knowledge that you have of them.
Character Basic Characteristics Development Relationship to Character’s

Dorian Outcome
Dorian
Basil
Lord Henry
Sybil
Mrs Vane
James Vane
Alan Campbell
Adrian
Singleton

5. Themes and Symbols
Themes in any setwork are vitally important. They give us insight into morals and lessons
learnt in the novel. A story's themes are part of the reason for the author writing the novel.
Themes get the author's message across to the reader.
We will be studying the following themes in The Picture of Dorian Gray:
1. The Supremacy of Youth and Beauty

2. The Superficial Nature of Society
3. The Negative Consequences of Influence
4. The Aesthetic Movement
5. Hedonism
Study the notes that follow as well as the notes in your reader on pages xiii to xiv. Carefully
read the Preface on pages 3 and 4 to complete the word search activity.
1. The Supremacy of Youth and Beauty.
Art serves no other purpose than to offer beauty. Beauty reigns throughout The Picture of
Dorian Gray, according to Oscar Wilde. Basil's portrait has an effect on the cynical Lord Henry.
It is also a means of escaping the brutalities of the world: Dorian distances himself, not to
mention his consciousness, from the horrors of his actions by devoting himself to the study of
beautiful things - jewels, music, and rare art. In a society where beauty is highly regarded,
youth and physical attractiveness become valuable commodities. Lord Henry reminds Dorian
of this upon their first meeting, when he laments that Dorian will soon lose his most precious
attribute, his beauty.
2. The Superficial Nature of Society
What matters most to Dorian, Lord Henry, and the company they keep is not whether a man is
good at heart but rather whether he is handsome. With Dorian’s evolution, he experiences the
freedom to abandon his morals without censure. Indeed, even though as Basil warns, society’s
elite question his name and reputation, Dorian is never ostracized. On the contrary, he
remains at the heart of the London social scene because of the ‘innocence’ and ‘purity’ of his
face.
3. The Negative Consequences of Influence
The painting and the yellow book have a profound effect on Dorian, influencing him to
predominantly immoral behaviour over the course of nearly two decades. Lord Henry points
out that there is ‘something terribly enthralling in the exercise of influence’. Basil’s idolatry of
Dorian leads to his murder, and Dorian’s devotion to Lord Henry’s hedonism and the yellow
book precipitates his downfall. It is not surprising whether it is another person or a work of art,
which leads to one’s destruction.
4. The Aesthetic Movement
Refer to the notes in your reader on pages xiii to xiv.

5. Hedonism
Refer to the notes in your reader on pages xiii to xiv.
Now complete the following word search to make sure that you have internalised the above
themes.
S A P A I N T I N G H L B A A C X
K E G Y R Z B F A E J L Q P Z E D
M G N Q I A T T R I B U T E S O N
Y J U S H O D P W N E V P Z F K R
E M W Y E U J I B V S Z A K B S T
L A C J K S W U S E L E S S R O P
L Q B V V S G O R H U K I M L P C
O R H E D O N I S M T I Z Y S A B
W F I H N E J L X Q S W B R K C D
B J C B W E R T Y U X O N T M V M
O C F T V G Y B H U N K U A A J S
O S X E R R G Y T U N B O L O P I
K T M P L E A S U R E A E O K D C
B V C X M I T R E Y E W Q D K L I
A S D F H G X M G J H K L I W I T
P O I K U N O Y T R S E V B A R E
F Y K L H S P U A I D E A L T S H
C A B H D J V I W R P O M B S N T
J K B N X U N C O N S C I O U S S
W M A N B V C X Z R E W O P U T E
W H O L E N E S S H T G R D F J A
Clues:
1. All art is quite __________.
2. Throughout the novel, beauty _______.
3. The ___________ movement sought to free art from this responsibility.
4. Hedonism comes from the Greek word ________.
5. The __________ and __________ have a profound effect on Dorian.
6. Basil advocates that all art is “_________, ________ and remote”.
7. Lord Henry laments that Dorian will soon enough lose his most precious ________.
8. What matters most is not whether a man is good at heart but rather that he is _______.
9. Basil’s _______ of Dorian leads to his murder.
10. The Aesthetic Movement became closely linked with ________.

11. Epicurus believed in the _________, which, he claimed, was only achieved through
cultivation of both ________ and the _________.
Match the symbol to what it symbolises:
Symbol Symbolic meaning
The portrait Innocence

The Yellow Book Dorian’s sordid mind
The colour red The decadent hedonistic lifestyle
The colour white Dorian’s soul.
The opium den Blood, specifically on Dorian’s hands
James Vane The embodiment of Dorian’s tortured conscience
The opera A Life guide
6. Answering the Contextual Questions

The following Information on answering contextual questions is taken from the Just In Time
Study Guide 2022
These questions will guide you in what to expect from the contextual question in your exam.
Study the following information taken from the JIT (August 2022, pages 8-11) and then attempt
the contextual questions that follow.
Level 2 Reorganisation: Questions that need you to bring together different pieces of
information in an organised way.
Place the extract in Explain how the events of the extract fit into the sequence of events of
context… the text as a whole.
The question should be approached using the following steps:
1. Consider the extract given and reflect on what happened before
the extract, when it happened and who was involved.
2. Discuss the event up to where the extract ends.
3. Note: 3 distinct points must be provided for 3 marks.
Level 3 Inference: Questions that need you to interpret (make meaning of) the text using
information that may not be clearly stated. This process involves thinking about what happened
in different parts of the text; looking for clues that tell you more about a character, theme or
symbol; and using your own knowledge to help you understand the text.
Explain how this idea Identify the links to the theme.

links with the theme x
…
Compare the Point out the similarities and differences.
attitudes/actions of
character x with
character y …
Do you agree that Point out the differences and come to a conclusion which shows your
the…represents the agreement or lack thereof. Note that most questions like this expect
contrast between… you to agree, so be careful if you choose to disagree. Your position of
agreement/disagreement needs detailed textual reference and
substantiation.

What do the words … State what you think the meaning is, based on your understanding of
suggest/reveal the text.
about…?
Comment on how the Foreshadows: be a warning or indication of (a future event)
image State how this image/incident prepares you for future events
foreshadows…..
Stage Direction Discuss body language, facial expression, tone, action/movement of
the speaker and motivation of the character . Stage directions are
written from the perspective of the actor facing the audience.
Eg from Hamlet: In keeping with Polonius’s melodramatic and
seemingly concerned display of concern, his eyes will seem sincere,
his arms will either be clasped as if he is swearing an oath, or they will
be outstretched to indicate that he is certain and very sincere. His body
posture will be slightly bent forward to indicate his respect, almost like
a subtle curtsy. He may shake his hands when he says ‘at all.’ He may
shake his head to indicate ‘no.’ He will over-dramatise because he
loves an audience and he is selling his soul to the King and Queen. His
movements will therefore look over the top or large.
His tone will be sincere, even emotional and concerned, as he is
desperate to hit the right note with his audience. He will sound
respectful but his voice will be exaggerated.
How does character x Write down the character’s reaction/what the character did/felt.
react when…?
Describe how
something affected
character x …
State how you know
that character x is …
How does the Discuss the differences in the characters (before and after).
character/s
contrasting attitudes
…
What did character x Explain why the character used those particular words. Make sure that
mean by the you refer to specific words.
expression …?
Explain the Write the reason(s) for … /Give the repercussions of …
cause/effect of …
How does the Explain what the line/metaphor/simile/figurative language/image/literary

line/metaphor/simile/fi device suggests and how it clarifies your understanding of the text.
gurative For similes and metaphors, discuss the comparison and how it adds
language/image/litera meaning to the text.
ry device affect your
understanding …?
What, do you think, Explain what the consequences of the action/situation would be.
would be the
outcome/effect/etc. of
an action/situation
…?

Account for … Give the reason behind an action/event.
What does the Explain what the word/line tells you and discuss the clues hinted at by
word/line suggest / the word/line…
imply…?
Evaluation: Questions that require you to make a judgment based on your knowledge and
understanding of the text and your own experience. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer to
these questions, but you must give a valid reason for your
opinion based on specific information given in the text.
Discuss your view/a Consider all the information and reach a conclusion.
character’s feelings/a
theme ...
Do you think that … Give your views/opinion on the given topic.
Do you agree State whether or not you agree with something/someone in the text.
with/that … You need to base your opinion on specific information given in the text.
In your opinion, what Your view point needs to be based on specific information given in the
… text.
Give your views on … Your opinion needs to be based on specific information given in the
text.
In light of the Evaluate and assess both sides of the topic. Investigate or examine by
poem/novel/drama as argument or debate, giving reasons for and against.
a whole, critically
discuss …
In your view, is … Give reasons, based on the text, why you/a character/the writer
justified? adopt(s) a particular standpoint.
Comment on … To discuss or speak about …providing evidence from the text to
support your opinion.
Critically comment … To discuss, speak about and form an opinion about…providing
evidence from the text to support
Level 5 Appreciation: Questions that ask about your emotional response to plot, characters
and style. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer to these questions, but you must give
a valid reason for your opinion based on specific information given in the text.
How would you feel if Imagine that you are character x and describe your emotions based on
you were character x your understanding of evidence from the text.
when …?
Discuss your Give your reaction to something and give reasons for your reaction
response to … based on evidence from the text.
Do you feel sorry State whether you empathize with the character’s emotions/situation.
for…? / Do you Are you able to have compassion for …? Provide reasons for whether
identify with…? you have compassion or not.
Discuss the writer’s To answer this type of question, ask yourself: Does the style, word,
use of style, diction image help me to feel/imagine what is happening/what a character is
and figurative feeling? Why/why not? Give reasons for your answer.
language,
dialogue …
[Source: JIT document Aug P2 2022]

Time to practise!
The following contextual questions have been taken from past papers.
Question 1: Amanzimtoti High School Trials Paper 2 2020
Read the extract below and then answer the questions that follow.
EXTRACT A
"I must go, Basil," he answered. 1
"Very well," said Hallward, and he went over and laid down his cup on the tray. "It
is rather late, and, as you have to dress, you had better lose no time. Good-bye,
Harry. Good-bye, Dorian. Come and see me soon. Come to-morrow."
"Certainly." 5
"You won't forget?"
"No, of course not," cried Dorian.
"And ... Harry!"
"Yes, Basil?"
"Remember what I asked you, when we were in the garden this morning." 10
"I have forgotten it."
"I trust you."
"I wish I could trust myself," said Lord Henry, laughing. "Come, Mr. Gray, my
hansom is outside, and I can drop you at your own place. Good-bye, Basil. It has 15
been a most interesting afternoon."
As the door closed behind them, the painter flung himself down on a sofa, and a
look of pain came into his face.
Chapter 2
1.1 Place the above extract in context. (3)
1.2 Refer to lines 4-6: ‘Come and see… forget?’
1.2.1 Why is Basil so insistent that Dorian comes to visit him and so
soon? (2)
1.2.2 What does this reveal about Basil’s feelings at this point? (2)
1.3 Refer to line 10: ‘Remember what I asked you … garden this morning.’

1.3.1 What did Basil ask of Harry earlier that day? (2)
1.3.2 Discuss what this implies about how Basil views Harry? (3)
1.4 Refer to lines 16-17: ‘the painter… his face.’
Identify why the painter would ‘fling’ himself onto the sofa and why he would be
‘pained?’ (3)
AND
EXTRACT B
He sat down, and began to think. Every year – every month, almost – men were 1
strangled in England for what he had done. There had been a madness of
murder in the air. Some red star had come too close to the earth. … And yet what
evidence was there against him? Basil Hallward had left the house at eleven. No
one had seen him come in again. Most of the servants were at Selby Royal. His 5
valet had gone to bed. … Paris! Yes. It was to Paris that Basil had gone, and by
the midnight train, as he had intended. With his curious reserved habits, it would
be months before any suspicions would be roused. Months! Everything could be
destroyed long before then.
A sudden thought struck him. He put on his fur coat and hat, and went out into 10
the hall. There he paused, hearing the slow heavy tread if the policeman on the
pavement outside, and seeing the flash of the bull’s eye reflected in the window.
He waited and held his breath. After a few moments he drew back the latch,
and slipped out, shutting the door very gently behind him. Then he began ringing
the bell. In about five minutes his valet appeared half-dressed, and looking very 15
drowsy.
Chapter 13
1.5 Refer to line 2: ‘men…had done.’

1.5.1 What has Dorian done that he would be strangled for? (2)
1.5.2 Explain why Dorian did this deed. (3)
1.5.3 Do you think that Dorian takes responsibility for his actions (3)
just before this extract?
1.6 Explain Dorian’s actions in lines 15-16: ‘After a few…the bell.’ (3)
[25]

Question 2: Queensburgh High School Trials Paper 2 2022
Read the extract below and then answer the questions that follow.
EXTRACT A
'And now, Dorian, get up on the platform, and don't move about too much, or 1
pay any attention to what Lord Henry says. He has a very bad influence over
all his friends, with the single exception of myself.'
Dorian Gray stepped up on the dais, with the air of a young Greek martyr, and
made a little moue of discontent to Lord Henry, to whom he had rather taken a 5
fancy. He was so unlike Basil. They made a delightful contrast. And he had
such a beautiful voice.
After a few moments he said to him, 'Have you really a very bad influence, Lord
Henry? As bad as Basil says?'
'There is no such thing as a good influence, Mr Gray. All influence is immoral – 10

immoral from the scientific point of view.'
'Why?'
'Because to influence a person is to give him one's own soul. He does not think
his natural thoughts or burn with his natural passions. His virtues are not real to
him. His sins, if there are such things as sins, are borrowed. He becomes an 15
echo of some-one else's music, an actor of a part that has not been written for
him. The aim of life is self-development. To realise one's nature perfectly – that
is what each of us is here for.
…
20
'Just turn your head a little more to the right, Dorian, like a good boy,' said the
painter, deep in his work, and conscious only that a look had come into the lad's
face that he had never seen there before.
Chapter 2
2.2 Refer to lines 2-3: He has a very …………of myself”.

Discuss the significance of Basil’s observation in the light of later events. (4)
2.3 Refer to lines 5-6: “He was so ...delightful contrast”.

Explain how this might be considered an apt view of Lord Henry Wotton and Basil
Hallward in these lines. (4)
2.4 Refer to line 17. “Just turn ...a good boy”.

Discuss the irony evident in Basil’s comment in light of later events in the novel. (4)

AND
EXTRACT B
'… you finished a portrait of me that revealed to me the wonder of beauty. In a 1
mad moment, that, even now, I don't know whether I regret or not, I made a
wish, perhaps you would call it a prayer ...'
'I remember it! Oh, how well I remember it! No, the thing is impossible! The 5
room is damp. Mildew has got into the canvas. The paints I used had some
wretched mineral poison in them. I tell you the thing is impossible.'
'Ah, what is impossible?' murmured the young man, going over to the window,
and leaning his forehead against the cold, mist-stained glass.
10
'You told me you had destroyed it.'
'I was wrong. It has destroyed me.

15
'I don't believe it is my picture.'
'Can't you see your ideal in it?' said Dorian, bitterly.
'My ideal, as you call it ...'
'As you called it.'
'There was nothing evil in it, nothing shameful. You were to me such an idea as I
shall never meet again. This is the face of a satyr.'
'It is the face of my soul.'
'Christ! What a thing I must have worshipped! It has the eyes of a devil.'
'Each of us has Heaven and Hell in him, Basil,' cried Dorian, with a wild gesture of
despair.
Chapter 13
2.6 Refer to lines 1-3 ‘…you finished…call it a prayer’.

Discuss ‘the wish’ which Dorian is referring to here. (3)
2.7 Refer to line 11. ‘I don’t believe it is my picture’.

Briefly comment on Basil Hallward’s reaction upon seeing the portrait (4)
[25]

7. Answering Essay Questions on Dorian Gray
First we need to remind ourselves how to write a literature essay. Use the following
infographics to remind yourself how to do it.

Time to practise!
Please try the following essays for yourself and then ask your educator to look at your
style and where you can polish your writing!
All Essays should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400-450 words (2-2 ½
pages) and are worth 25 marks.
1. “It was his beauty that had ruined him, his beauty and the youth that he had prayed for.
But for those two things, his life might have been free from stain.” (Chapter 20, page
255)
Is the above quote valid as a reason and excuse for Dorian Gray’s character
development, choices and actions in the novel?
2. Critically discuss the influence Lord Henry and his yellow book had on Dorian’s fatal
demise in The Picture of Dorian Gray.

8. Suggested Answers
Chapter Summaries and Synopses
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3
1. Basil Hallward 1. Basil 1. wish

2. Lord Henry Wotton 2. Lord Henry 2. uncle
3. himself 3. Portrait 3. below
4. Dorian Gray 4. Dorian
4. Lady Agatha
5. intrigue 5. Aphorisms
6. influence 5. Trust 6. Influence
7. nonsense 6. Worshipped
7. leave
8. influence
9. warns
10. fullest
11. compliments
12. curses
13. soul
1. Sybil Vane 1. naivety 1. marry

2. untidy 2. Sibyl 2. Basil
3. acting skills 3. Dorian 3. beautiful
4. Prince Charming 4. rich 4. good
5. characters 5. James 5. misery
6. teachings 6. Park 6. innocence
7. marry 7. Jealousy
8. decorative sex
9. failure
10. creation
11. engaged
1. disgusted 1. butler 1. Basil

2. fiancé 2. portrait 2. opera
3. Lord Henry 3. change 3. Lord Henry.
4. Basil 4. portrait 4. vain
5. Dorian 5. regrets 5. portrait
6. rejects 6. marriage 6. Lord Henry.
7. relationship 7. distraught
8. cruelty 8. Inquest
9. changed 9. death

10. victim 10. alive/ aware
11. soul 11. accepting
12. marry
1. hide 1. years 1. Paris

2. child 2. yellow book 2. butler
3. beauty 3. believe 3. travel
4. horrified/ disgusted 4. innocence 4. reluctant
5. Mr Hubbard 5. immoral 5. deception
6. move 6. looks 6. image
7. Inquest 7. docks 7. rumours
8. Yellow 8. drugs/ opiates 8. sordid
9. Evolving 9. unacceptable 9. emotionally
10. fascinates 10. pleasure 10. guilt
11. unburden
1. attic 1. conscience 1. Alan Campbell

2. secret 2. Basil Hallward 2. Lady Narborough’s
3. soul 3. guilt 3. champagne
4. calm 4. old school room 4. indifferent
5. repent 5. close friend 5. hat
6. worship 6. Alan 6. bag
7. pray 7. life and death 7. opiate/ drug
8. hatred 8. argument
9. unaffected 9. confesses
10. Basil 10. Paris
11. ruined
12. blackmails
13. chemicals
1. opium dens 1. week 1. fear

2. hides 2. James Vane 2. shock
3. face 3. Selby Royal 3. death
4. Lord Henry 4. Monmouth 4. believed
5. numb 5. orchids 5. crying
6. Adrian Singleton 6. conservatory 6. witnessed
7. marred 7. faints 7. man
8. drinks 8. fear 8. Lord Henry
9. woman 9. alone 9. sailor
10. Prince Charming 10. fear 10. tattoos
11. Sybil Vane 11. gun
12. James Vane 12. relief
13. the woman 13. joy

14. pain 14. threatened
15. 18
16. Young
17. Furious
Chapter 19 Chapter 20
1. London 1. honour
2. Hetty Merton 2. does not
3. before 3. reminisce
4. hurt 4. wealth
5. disappearance 5. character
6. killed 6. wicked
7. portrait 7. old
8. sorry 8. innocent
9. soul 9. regret
10. dramatic irony 10. deaths
11. unveils
12. knife
13. maker
14. opportunity
15. narcissistic
16. attention

Character Analyses
Character Basic Characteristics Develop Relationship to Characters
ment Dorian Outcome
Dorian Upper class, very wealthy. Negative - Unintentional
Beautiful and narcissistic. Self- suicide
absorbed and careless of the
feelings of others.
Immoral
Basil Artist of the upper class. Kind, Flat In love with Murdered By
thoughtful of others. Character Dorian. Dorian
Completely Moral Dorian is his
artistic muse
Lord Henry Upper class, cultured, Flat Treats Dorian Survives
intellectual and intelligent. Character as a social
Paradoxically philosophical. experiment
Amoral
Sybil Young, innocent, pure, naïve Flat Infatuated with Suicide due to
Character and engaged to encounters with
Dorian Dorian
Mrs Vane Theatrical, dramatic, realistic but Flat Mother to Sybil Unknown
appears materialistic character (see above)
James Angry, embittered, surly. Flat Brother to Sybil Accidentally
Vane Tender only towards his sister. Character (see above) shot while trying
Vengeful to kill Dorian
Alan An upper-class scientist and Flat Has a Suicide due to
Campbell musician. Character euphemistically encounters with
close Dorian
relationship with
Dorian, which
allows Dorian to
have enough
information to
blackmail him.
Adrian Not much is known about Flat Has a Last seen as a
Singleton Adrian, he is a member of the Character euphemistically drug addict in
upper-class and serves as an close an opium den
example of the lives ruined by relationship with again a result of
Dorian Dorian his relationship
with Dorian

Themes and Symbols
1. Useless
2. Reigns
3. Aestheticism
4. Pleasure
5. painting and yellow book
6. unconscious, ideal
7. attributes
8. handsome
9. Idolatry
10. Hedonism
11. Wholeness…senses and the soul
Match the symbol to what it symbolises:
Symbol Symbolic meaning
The portrait Innocence

The Yellow Book Dorian’s sordid mind
The colour red The decadent hedonistic lifestyle
The colour white Dorian’s soul.
The opium den Blood, specifically on Dorians hands
James Vane The embodiment of Dorian’s tortured conscience
The opera A Life guide

1. Amanzimtoti High School Preparatory Exams 2020 P2
1.1 They are at Basil Hallwards house.

Dorian is there to sit for Basil to paint him, Henry is there ‘purely by chance.’ (3)
1.2.2 Basil is insecure about his place in Dorian’s life, he already feels Harry’s influence
exerting its presence on Dorian. (2)
1.3.1 He asked him not to influence or spoil Dorian. (2)
1.3.2 From Basil’s asking this question, one can assume that Basil is well aware of
Harry’s worldliness, that Harry has some rather disturbing views and can have a
negative effect on Dorian, Basil clearly does not see Harry as a person to be
trusted with innocent minds. (3)
1.4 Basil would fling himself in a fit of anger/ panic at the fact that he is aware he has
probably just ‘lost’ Dorian’s innocence to the worldly ways of Henry. He has lost
his private personal access to his muse and now has to share him with others. (3)
1.5.1 Dorian has killed Basil Hallward. (2)

1.5.2 Basil came to Dorian to try to help him, he had heard terrible rumours about Dorian
and he wanted to make sure they were either untrue or, if he could help Dorian.
Dorian lost his temper and took Basil to the attic to show him what had become of
the painting. After that, Dorian killed Basil in a fit of anger and fear that he would
reveal what had happened. (3)
1.5.3 No. Dorian suggests that a ‘red star’ came too close to the planet, that there is a
“madness of murder in the air” almost as if he is not to blame but some kind of
extra normal event influenced his actions.
(There should be some reference to his excuse, red star and or madness … in the
air plus an explanation of such.) (3)
1.6 As a part of covering up Basil’s murder, he gets dressed again and goes outside to
pretend that he forgot his key and to gain admittance into his house, thereby giving
his valet no room for suspicion and, should he be asked, he can state that Dorian
was not at home at the time of Basil’s death. (3)
Answering the Contextual Questions

2. Queensburgh High School Preliminary Exams 2020 P2
2.1 Lord Henry Wotton was visiting Basil Hallward at his studio and talking about Dorian
Gray, Basil’s new muse when Dorian himself arrived to sit for Basil. Now, Basil
takes his position and continues talking to Lord Henry. (3)
2.2 Basil’s observation is very significant as Lord Henry does indeed exert a heavily
negative influence over Dorian Gray. His ideas lead Dorian into a life of hedonism,
narcissism and self-indulgence which ultimately lead to the deaths of many people,
Basil and Dorian himself included. (4)
2.3. Lord Henry is unlike Basil; one could even say they are polar opposites. While Basil
is moral and principled, Harry is amoral and hedonistic. Harry lives for enjoyment
and experiences, playing with people as if they were nothing more than
experiments, while Basil values people and respects them. (4)
2.4 The irony is found in Basil calling Dorian a ‘good boy’ as much as it is true here;
later on, Dorian still looks like a good boy but has lived many years and had and
created many bad experiences. Further, right now, Dorian listens to Basil and does
as Basil tells him, but very soon, he will not listen to Basil and instead turn to Harry
for advice. (4)
2.5 Basil is about to leave London for France, but has detoured to Dorian’s house to try
to resolve the terrible rumours that he has heard about Dorian. Dorian has led Basil
up to the attic room where he keeps the portrait and shows him how the portrait
reflects his soul and that the rumours that Basil has heard are indeed true and
possibly even understated. (3)
2.6 The wish that Dorian is referring to is the faustian pact that he made, the wish to
remain physically young and beautiful while his soul is projected into the portrait
which shows the wages of his sins and ageing. (3)
2.7 Basil is truly horrified. He cannot believe that this is the picture that he painted so
long ago of a young, youthful, innocent and beautiful young man, and for that he
denounces the picture as being of his creation. He even finds excuses for its decay,
such as mildew or even that the paints had some kind of poison in them, he cannot
accept the truth that has been placed before him as he chooses to see the good in
Dorian and everyone else. (4)
[25]

Answering Essay Questions on Dorian Gray
What follows are the suggested points that should be included in the essays.
1.
 At the opening of the novel, Dorian Gray exists as something of an ideal: he is
the archetype of male youth and beauty.
 Lord Henry Wotton, imagines fashioning the impressionable Dorian into an

unremitting pleasure-seeker.
 Upon seeing Basil's portrait of him, Dorian's shallow values rise to the
surface. He cries when he thinks he will lose his beauty to old age and decay.
 Under the influence of Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian becomes extremely

concerned with the transience of his beauty and begins to pursue his own
pleasure above all else. Dorian is exceptionally vain.
 Dorian adopts the tenets of “the new Hedonism” and resolves to live his life as
a pleasure-seeker with no regard for conventional morality.
 Dorian's demise begins as soon as he makes his wish and begins actively
living the hedonistic lifestyle Lord Henry purported. Lord Henry captures his
own philosophy well when he says, 'Every impulse that we strive to strangle
broods in the mind and poisons us. The body sins once, and has done with its
sin, for action is a mode of purification. Nothing remains then but the
recollection of a pleasure, or the luxury of regret. The only way to get rid of a
temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for
the things it has forbidden itself...'
 After the suicide of Sybil, and seeing the changes in the portrait, he is relieved
that the changes are not on his physical body.
 When Dorian decides to view Sibyl’s death as the achievement of an artistic

ideal rather than a needless tragedy for which he is responsible, he starts
down the steep and slippery slope of his own demise.
 As Dorian’s sins worsen over the years, his likeness in Basil’s portrait grows
hideous. Dorian seems to lack a conscience.
 Dorian may be beautiful, but he is shallow, self-centred, and self-destructive
 In a sense, the portrait and his own twisted conscience absolve him of any
personal responsibility, and there are no barriers to his becoming a full-
fledged narcissistic monster.

2.
 Lord Henry has been the key influencer in Dorian’s life from the moment he met
him in Basil’s loft.
 Dorian was smitten by Lord Henry’s lifestyle and ideals.
 Lord Henry made Dorian believe that his looks were far more valuable that his
character or integrity
 Dorian grew to emulate Lord Henry and idolized him.
 Through Lord Henry’s influence, Dorian grew into the hedonistic lifestyle to
which he had become accustomed.
 Lord Henry introduced Dorian to value material possessions, art and have no
regard for others.
 During this period of discovery Dorian frequented the playhouse and watched
Shakespeare come to life through human acts. Sybil Vane had become
acquainted with Dorian who fell head-over-heels in love with every character
she played. This façade of love made him believe that Sybil was the character
she played because her performance was outstanding to Dorian.
 Unfortunately, Sybil’s poor performance on stage, leads to cruelty from Dorian.
This was humiliating to Dorian. Sybil committed suicide because Dorian was
not remorseful at the time she needed him instead he heeded Lord Henry’s
advice that lurked at the back of his mind.
 Lord Henry felt Dorian becoming remorseful over Sybil’s suicide so he
introduced him to the yellow book. Dorian became obsessed with the teachings
within its pages that he made it his guide and rule book to his new life. Although
Lord Henry intended for Dorian to learn to be the man he was grooming for
society, Dorian took the information from the yellow book to be more intentional
than it should have been, and we witness an evolving Dorian.
 Dorian lives a sordid life with no conscience and his facial details do not show
his age, nor does his body reveal the trauma he inflicted upon himself.
 Lord Henry was his teacher and he was the student but here we find the student
becomes better than the teacher.
 Dorian frequented opium dens, prostitutes, and even relationships with men
which turned him into a cold-hearted man.
 Lord Henry believed he was making Dorian into a strong and assertive young
man but he managed to alienate even himself from Dorian as Dorian lived life
in secret.
 Dorian followed the teachings of the yellow book in great detail and showed no
remorse in all he did. This led to his ugliness being visible on the portrait and
no repercussions visible on him, which encouraged him to continue to delve
further into a dark evil life. This led to further deaths.
 Dorian killed Basil whom he blamed for his bad life so he didn’t have to take
responsibility for all his evil.
 Lord Henry was not part of his lifestyle but Dorian had gone even further than
Lord Henry could have ever imagine for Dorian, who he claimed was too good-
looking to kill anyone. Dorian dragged Alan into his demise and blackmailed
him, leading Alan to commit suicide. This still he didn’t think was his fault. His
murder of Basil was to absolve him of his crimes.
 Dorian then accuses Lord Henry of the yellow book’s influence upon him.
Dorian takes no responsibility for his actions but casts blame on Basil, Lord
Henry and the yellow book.

 Dorian, out of hate for the evil that he witnessed being displayed in the portrait
as it continued to evolve over time, decided to destroy it so no one will see the
evil in him. What he believed will rid the evidence of his wrongs brought on his
own death. Dorian was narcissistic to the extent that he had done everything in
his power to love himself above his conscience or those who were close as
family.

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A Study Guide:

The Picture of Dorian Gray–Oscar Wilde

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Yours most sincerely

A Scott (Amanzimtoti High School)

2. Introduction to the Text

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Literary period: Aestheticism

* Apparently there is a real life Dorian–a man named John Gray,

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Important quotes for this chapter:

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Important quotes for this chapter:

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Character Basic Characteristics Development Relationship to Character’s

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We will be studying the following themes in The Picture of Dorian Gray:

1. The Supremacy of Youth and Beauty

1. The Supremacy of Youth and Beauty.

2. The Superficial Nature of Society

3. The Negative Consequences of Influence

4. The Aesthetic Movement

Refer to the notes in your reader on pages xiii to xiv.

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Refer to the notes in your reader on pages xiii to xiv.

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Symbol Symbolic meaning

The portrait Innocence

6. Answering the Contextual Questions

Explain how this idea Identify the links to the theme.

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How does the Explain what the line/metaphor/simile/figurative language/image/literary

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Question 1: Amanzimtoti High School Trials Paper 2 2020

"No, of course not," cried Dorian.

"And ... Harry!"

"I have forgotten it."

"I trust you."

1.1 Place the above extract in context. (3)

1.2 Refer to lines 4-6: ‘Come and see… forget?’

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1.4 Refer to lines 16-17: ‘the painter… his face.’

1.5 Refer to line 2: ‘men…had done.’

1.5.2 Explain why Dorian did this deed. (3)

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'There is no such thing as a good influence, Mr Gray. All influence is immoral – 10

2.2 Refer to lines 2-3: He has a very …………of myself”.

2.3 Refer to lines 5-6: “He was so ...delightful contrast”.

2.4 Refer to line 17. “Just turn ...a good boy”.

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'I was wrong. It has destroyed me.