Questions on the content of The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Chapter 1

1. Describe the young man in the picture.

The young man in the picture is very handsome, with his dark curly hair and bright blue eyes. He’s also very innocent and he doesn’t know anything about life.

2. When Dorian came and sat with Basil, what effect did it have and why?

Basil painted much better. Dorian was a very special person to him.

3. Why was Basil unhappy when he heard that Lord Henry wanted to meet Dorian?

Lord Henry knew a lot about life, but he didn't believe in anything and he didn't care about anyone. He only saw the bad in everything and ridiculed the good. Nothing was important to him and he spent his life going you parties and drinking.

4. What did Lord Henry do while Basil stood and painted and how did Dorian react?

Lord Henry told Dorian about his journeys, his experiences and his cynical philosophy of life. Dorian listened carefully. He learned new things and heard strange new ideas. The ideas were interesting and stimulating, but they confused him. He didn’t know why.

Chapter 2

1. How did a) Dorian and b) Basil feel about the picture and why?

Dorian: He liked the portrait very much, but it made him sad because in real life I'll become old and ugly.

Basil: He was angry because of Henry and Dorian's comments.

2. What happened after Basil saw his painter’s knife?

He took his painter’s knife quickly and turned towards the portrait. But Dorian saw him with the knife in his hand, and before Basil could do anything, Dorian stopped him.

3. Why was Basil sad after he closed the door?

He remembered Lord Henry laughing and he was worried about his young friend's future.

4. What did Lord Fermor tell Lord Henry about Lady Margaret?

Lord Fermor told Lord Henry that Lady Margaret was a very beautiful girl and all the men were in love with her, but she fell in love with a poor, young man. He was a soldier. Her family was angry, so she left home and married the young man secretly.

5. What happened to Dorian after Lady Margaret died?

Lord Kelso took Dorian to his home in the country and Dorian lived there until his grandfather died. Then Dorian finished school in London.

Chapter 3

1. How did Dorian meet Sibyl Vane?

It was a coincidence. One evening when Dorian was walking through a poor part of London, he passed an old theatre. There was a man outside, trying to convince people to go into the theatre and see the play. He can’t imagine why I listened to him, but fortunately I did. Sibyl was playing Juliet in Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet.

2. Where did Sibyl live and who did she live with?

Sibyl Vane lived in a modest house with her mother and her brother, James.

3. How did Sibyl describe her Prince Charming?

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