article summaries

The first article talks about the contrasts between Dorian and Lord Henry and his influences on Dorian. Dorian believes in a moral order while Lord Henry believes in self-pleasure. His desire for pleasure influences Dorian's view on life. The second article talks about the affects of the portrait towards Dorian and how it influences him to kill Basil. It also mentions Dorian's own death at the end of the book. The last article talks about a subject I didn't catch when first reading the book: Dorian's past. It talks about how his past was full of passion and violence. It also mentions that Dorian's grandfather had Dorian's father killed because he was a subaltern and that the room that Dorian hid the portrait in, was the same room Dorian was kept in to keep him out of the way when his mother had passed away.

VIII Feministic Criticism: Jane Eyre

The women portrayed in Jane Eyre, for the most part, have very plain lives. The majority of the women are either teachers or household maids, with the exception of the high-class ladies who visit. The main character, Jane, is a governess to Adele as well as a teacher to the poor village girls. An example of a household main in this book would be Grace. It's hard to figure out if the book was influenced by the writer's gender, but considering the fact that the writer is a women, that probably influenced the main character to also be a women. The way Jane and Mr.Rochester relate to each other changes throughout the book. At first, Mr. Rochester did not consider Jane his equal, but after Jane saves Mr.Rochester, his view of her changes. Jane Eyre challenged the traditional views of women by the way she didn't settle for being just an orphan, but worked to support herself with a career and wanted to be considered Mr.Rochester's equal. The images of women in this story, not including Jane, do reflect patriarchal social forces that have impeded women's efforts to achieve full equality with men because none of the other female characters really challenge the idea like Jane does. Two main marital expectations are imposed on Jane. One being St.John Rivers' proposal to Jane, in hopes she'll accompany him on his mission trip. This makes Jane realize she still has feelings for Mr.Rochester. Another marital expectation is Mr.Rochester's first attempt to marry Jane which is unsuccessful due to his former marriage. This causes Jane to lose her trust in him. If Jane were male, the story would be completely different in the way that she wouldn't have had such a hard time finding a job and she probably wouldn't have had as much heart ache. When Jane finally marries Mr.Rochester, her decisions are no longer her own and she is the happier than she had ever been before.

Possible thesis: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte shows, through Jane, that you don't need to be satisfied with the roles society has placed for you.

Basil Hallward

Basil Hallward is another very important character in The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Basil is described as having a rugged, strong face and coal-black hair. (Wilde, page 5, paragraph 2). Basil is not a main character in the book but still plays an important role in the story. He is an artist whose inspiration comes from none other than Dorian Gray. He has a strange idolatry for Dorian and is very protective and defensive of him. He is also concerned for his soul and the people who influence him. Basil has painted Dorian many times such as: an ancient soldier and another times figures of mythology, but it is when he draws Dorian as himself that starts the commotion. It's Basil Hallward's painting that ignites the flame in Dorian leading him to unknowing trade his soul for eternal youth and beauty. This completely changes Dorian and turns him away from his friend Basil, yet Basil continues to stay committed to him. Basil's love for Dorian, however, turns fatal. When Basil was on his way to the train to leave for Paris, after searching for Dorian the entire night to confront him about the terrible charges he's heard, he runs into him. Dorian welcomes him into his home to explain himself. When Basil physically sees the truth of Dorian's soul, he is at first horrified, but then hopes to save his soul with a prayer. Dorian, in the heat of the moment, is filled with extreme hatred for Basil and without thinking, murders him.

Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. New York: Barnes & Noble Classics, 2003. Print.

The Picture of Dorian Gray Question #8

I am not entirely sure how well the novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde reflects events in history during that time because I was not alive back then. However, considering the fact that this book is a classic, I strongly believe that the events are indeed reflected accurately. Another reason I believe that Wilde reflected them accurately is because the events that take place in the story seem very realistic for this time period. Some of these include the opera shows and plays that were attended, as well as, traveling from place to place by horse and carriage. Another thing I noticed about the book and its events is that the story takes place during the Aesthetic movement. "The Aesthetic Movement argued that art was not supposed to be utilitarian or useful in any practical sense. Instead, aesthetic experience is a fully autonomous and independent aspect of human life. Thus, art should exist soley for its own sake" (Buffalo Architecture and History, page 1, paragraph 2). The author Oscar Wilde, I have learned, was a great voice in this movement. This movement was probably what influenced him about the character of Basil Hallward and was also probably the reason why the portrait played such an important role in the book.

"Aesthetic Movement." Buffalo Architecture and History. Web. 10 Aug. 2011. .

The Picture of Dorian Gray Question #7

Oscar Wilde uses several techniques to engage the audience and make the story effective while writing The Picture of Dorian Gray. One of the techniques includes mystery. This is first used towards the beginning of the book after Dorian had prayed for the portrait to suffer for his sins and aging and after he was cruel to Sibyl Vane. I was already getting a weird vibe about the picture exactly after Dorian made his plea, but the mystery definitely is brought to attention when Dorian first notices the changes. "The expression looked different. One would have said that there was a touch of cruelty in the mouth. It was certainly strange" (Wilde, page 94, paragraph 1). Another technique used was suspense. One of the very suspenseful parts of the story was after the murder of Basil Hallward. I had no idea how Dorian planned to cover this up, if Alan could be trusted, and if anyone would ever put the dots together about Basil's disappearance. One last technique used in this book is tragedy. So many tragic situations and out comes occurred in this story. One of the first tragedies is Sibyl Vane's suicide caused by Dorian. Some of the other tragedies included the whole deal with James Vane, the murder of Basil Hallward, and eventually the terrible death of Dorian Gray. All of these techniques used really keep the reader wanting more.

Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. New York: Barnes & Noble Classics, 2003. Print.

The Picture of Dorian Gray Question #6

The first reason I think the book The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is still read today is because it is such an interesting story. I really enjoyed the book and think that people from any decade would enjoy it also. Another reason this classic is so timeless is because of the message. The message being that beauty comes from within. The Picture of Dorian Gray displays this through Dorian's self portrait and the changes his soul and appearance go through. "He would examine with minute care, and sometimes with a monstrous and terrible delight, the hideous lines that seared the wrinkling forehead or crawled around the heavy, sensual mouth, wondering sometimes which were the more horrible, the signs of sin or the signs of age" (Wilde, page 131, paragraph 2). From reading this book, one can learn the affects of vanity and that you will always be held responsible for your actions and have to suffer the consequences. In this particular piece of writing, Dorian is affected by vanity in the most extreme case scenario possible; he trades his own soul for eternal youth and beauty. Like I said, he also suffered the consequences for his actions. These included losing his friend Basil, his love Sibyl, and eventually his own life. The Picture of Dorian Gray is definitely a book worth keeping around.

Wilde,Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. New York: Barnes & Noble Classics, 2003. Print.

The Picture of Dorian Gray Question #5

Considering the fact that The Picture of Dorian Gray is a classic, I strongly believe the history, behavior, and social issues are reflected very accurately. The story takes place in London, England during the 1890s. I did not find much reference to the history of that time, but behavior was something obviously exposed in this book. Because the main character of the book, Dorian, is very wealthy, we get a glimpse at the behavior of the wealthy class during this time. I have found that the wealthy really enjoy going out. Dorian and Lord Henry went to many operas, plays, and attended many parties through out the entire book. Dorian, though spent a great deal of time watching Sibyl Vane in her many plays and because of Dorian's wealth, he was able to afford to go to her performances every night. Another thing that I noticed was all of the extravagant objects Dorian bought during a period of time. These included perfumes, rare musical instruments, and even jewels. "For these treasures, and everything that he collected in his lovely house, were to be to him means of forgetfulness, modes by which he could escape, for a season, from the fear that seemed to him at times to be almost too great to be borne" (Wilde, page 143, paragraph 2). The only social issues really dealt with in this book is the differences between classes; Dorian wanting to marry Sibyl Vane.

Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. New York: Barnes & Noble Classics, 2003. Print.