illustration of the upper-right corner of Dorian Gray's picture

The Picture of Dorian Gray

by Oscar Wilde

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The Picture of Dorian Gray Questions on Basil Hallward

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

Dorian Gray kills Basil in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" because Basil has seen the grotesque transformation of Dorian's portrait, a visual manifestation of his moral decay. Fearing exposure of his...

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

Lord Henry and Basil have contrasting relationships with Dorian Gray. Basil, a humble painter, is genuinely devoted to Dorian, seeking to protect and preserve him, and often offers moral guidance. In...

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

As The Picture of Dorian Gray opens, Basil describes the beautiful Dorian as his artistic muse, a person who is changing the way he sees the world. After Dorian sells his soul to the devil, the...

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

Basil's statement about putting too much of himself into the painting in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" reflects his deep emotional connection and personal investment in the artwork. He implies that...

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

Basil Hallward did not want to exhibit Dorian Gray's portrait because he felt he had put too much of himself into it, revealing his own soul and personality. He believed the portrait was too personal...

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

Basil Hallward represents both art and morality, and his character is ironic in that he is both the artist who creates Dorian's beautiful portrait, but he himself becomes the victim of Dorian's fatal...

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

The main characters in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" are Dorian Gray, Basil Hallward, and Lord Henry Wotton. Dorian is a dynamic and complex character who changes under Lord Henry's influence,...

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

Oscar Wilde's characterization of himself through "The Picture of Dorian Gray" reflects his complex self-perception. He identifies with Basil Hallward, seeing himself as a sensitive artist, while...

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

Dorian Gray arranges for the disposal of Basil Hallward's corpse by blackmailing his former friend, Alan Campbell, to use his scientific knowledge to destroy the body. In Chapter Fourteen, Dorian...

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

Friendship in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is a double-edged sword. It can be used to hurt or help, depending on the characters involved and their intents at the time.

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

The greatest painter of the Victorian Age, Basil Hallward, proclaims that he will suffer for his artistic abilities. He predicts that Lord Henry Wotton's wealth and privileged social position will...

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

Basil's murder is depicted by Oscar Wilde as a significant act of despair for Dorian Gray. The murder occurs spontaneously, driven by Dorian's uncontrollable anger and his inner demons, which have...

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

The characters in The Picture of Dorian Gray are considered stereotypical and somewhat flat, as they do not undergo significant change throughout the novel. Lord Henry Wooton, Dorian Gray, and Basil...

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

Potential topics for a paper on "The Picture of Dorian Gray" include analyzing it as metafiction, exploring the roles of artist, critic, and art with parallels to Wilde, contemporary critics, and the...

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

In "The Picture of Dorian Gray," Wilde uses characterization to explore the theme of art imitating life. Dorian Gray's portrait reflects his inner corruption and moral decay while he remains...

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