Discover timeless tales with the Umatilla Literary Society's Classics Book Club, where we explore the enduring stories that have shaped literature. This term we will read The Picture of Dorian Gray, a novel by the fascinating late Victorian intellectual, author and controversial figure, Oscar Wilde. A digital copy is available here: https://mylakelibrary.overdrive.com/media/785047.
Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray is a masterpiece of Gothic fiction and a scathing critique of Victorian social mores. Use this guide to help your group navigate its themes of aestheticism, morality, and the double life.
The Big Ideas
Aestheticism & Hedonism: The belief that art and beauty should be valued above all else, often at the expense of traditional morality.
Public vs. Private Identity: The contrast between Dorian’s unchanging, beautiful exterior and the hidden, decaying "soul" in the attic.
The Power of Influence: How the charismatic Lord Henry "molds" Dorian, and whether we are truly responsible for the actions we take under another's spell.
Discussion Questions
The Opening Manifesto: In the preface, Wilde writes, "There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all." Do you agree? Does the novel itself support this claim, or is it actually a deeply moral cautionary tale?
The Three Personas: Wilde famously said, "Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be—in other ages, perhaps." Which character did you find most compelling? Do you see these three as distinct people, or three sides of a single human psyche?
The Nature of the "Bargain": Unlike the legend of Faust, Dorian doesn't sign a contract with the Devil in blood; he simply makes a wish in a moment of passion. Does this make his "fall" more tragic, or more avoidable?
Sibyl Vane: Why does Dorian fall out of love with Sibyl the moment she stops being a "great actress" and becomes a real person? What does this say about his ability to value human life versus art?
The "Yellow Book": Lord Henry gives Dorian a book that heavily influences his descent into vice. In our modern world, what serves as our "Yellow Book"? (e.g., social media, celebrity culture, etc.)
Victorian Hypocrisy: Dorian is welcome in the highest social circles despite rumors of his "sordid" life, simply because he looks innocent. How does this reflect Wilde’s view of London society? Does our modern society still grant "beauty" a free pass?
The Ending: Why does Dorian ultimately stab the painting? Was it an act of repentance, or a final, desperate attempt to destroy the evidence of his own guilt?
A Bit of Context
The Scandal: When first published in 1890, the book was decried as "poisonous" and "immoral" for its homoerotic undertones and decadent themes. Wilde added the Preface later as a defensive "shield" against these critics.
The Trials: Years later, the book was actually used as evidence against Oscar Wilde in his trials for "gross indecency," which eventually led to his imprisonment.
Breakdown suggested by Gemini AI.
