Universal Themes
Influence |
Influence can interfere with one’s persona by changing their personality, even if the purpose was positive. |
Women |
Women have undergone prejudice and are seen as unequal to the standard of men, even though all are to be represented as equal people. |
Youth |
Youth allows people to live their life and be happy with their appearance, although it disappears as you grow old. |
Beauty |
Beauty is a satisfying feature that is striven for by human nature, however is deceiving and harmful. |
Quotes That Are Meaningful today
"It is silly of you, for there is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about..." (4)
Within this one of many of Henry's intellectual sayings, the relevance today is that of popularity and social media. As in school and online many worry much about being talked about and being popular.
"My dear boy, no woman is a genius. Women are a decorative sex... Women represent the triumph of matter over mind, just as men represent the triumph of mind over morals..." (51)
Again as Henry displays his ever so amazing philosophies, today we can see this as the sexism between the genders and the discrimination in which women have dealt with.
"What does money matter? Love is more than money..." (64)
Here we learn of a common moral, that money does not always bring happiness. Today with the idea of wealth brings one to their happiest time of their life is not always true.
"...the face appeared to him to be a little changed. The expression looked different. One would have said that there was touch of cruelty in the mouth..." (94)
As Dorian views his original portrait after awhile, we know today that Dorian and his perspective are the ones who actually has changed, not necessarily the painting. In the novel itself the painting does physically change, however we know that perspective with one's character can change and interpretation completely.
"...Why is it that I cannot feel this tragedy as much as I want to? I don't think I am heartless. Do you?..." (104)
Today we can tell that Dorian has lost his moral and sorrow for others. Knowing that a great tragedy has happened to someone close to him and not feeling much pain whatsoever comes across as a psychopath in today's society.
"...Basil would have helped him to resist Lord Henry's influence, and the still more poisonous influences that came from his own temperament. The love that he bore him - for it was really love- had nothing in it that was not noble and intellectual..." (122)
From the world of today, one's actions not only affect themselves, but those around them as well. Influence from one can affect people both positively and negatively, no matter if the intention was innocent or not.
"...He hated to be separated from the picture that was such a part of his life..." (144)
This relates to the typical modern person that carries a personal cell phone everywhere they go. They are unable to be separated from this item that is such a part of their life.
"...The dead linger sometimes. The man up-stairs will not go away..." (174)
Guilt is a big moral lesson of the world today, as when one does wrong they will feel bad for the wrong they have done. Often told to little kids through fables and fairy tales.
"...Let this be a warning to you not to take vengeance into your own hands..." (196)
Another big moral lesson of today is that revenge is not the answer, as justice will do what is right in the judiciary system that the US has today.
"...It was his beauty that had ruined him , his beauty and the youth that he had prayed for..." (226)
Today, this can be related to a know lesson that you do not always get what you asked for. Yet Dorian thought he desired to have the youth forever, it actually ended up turning him evil and killing him. Much like today, people desire money and wealth which ends up corrupting them and hurting them morally.
Within this one of many of Henry's intellectual sayings, the relevance today is that of popularity and social media. As in school and online many worry much about being talked about and being popular.
"My dear boy, no woman is a genius. Women are a decorative sex... Women represent the triumph of matter over mind, just as men represent the triumph of mind over morals..." (51)
Again as Henry displays his ever so amazing philosophies, today we can see this as the sexism between the genders and the discrimination in which women have dealt with.
"What does money matter? Love is more than money..." (64)
Here we learn of a common moral, that money does not always bring happiness. Today with the idea of wealth brings one to their happiest time of their life is not always true.
"...the face appeared to him to be a little changed. The expression looked different. One would have said that there was touch of cruelty in the mouth..." (94)
As Dorian views his original portrait after awhile, we know today that Dorian and his perspective are the ones who actually has changed, not necessarily the painting. In the novel itself the painting does physically change, however we know that perspective with one's character can change and interpretation completely.
"...Why is it that I cannot feel this tragedy as much as I want to? I don't think I am heartless. Do you?..." (104)
Today we can tell that Dorian has lost his moral and sorrow for others. Knowing that a great tragedy has happened to someone close to him and not feeling much pain whatsoever comes across as a psychopath in today's society.
"...Basil would have helped him to resist Lord Henry's influence, and the still more poisonous influences that came from his own temperament. The love that he bore him - for it was really love- had nothing in it that was not noble and intellectual..." (122)
From the world of today, one's actions not only affect themselves, but those around them as well. Influence from one can affect people both positively and negatively, no matter if the intention was innocent or not.
"...He hated to be separated from the picture that was such a part of his life..." (144)
This relates to the typical modern person that carries a personal cell phone everywhere they go. They are unable to be separated from this item that is such a part of their life.
"...The dead linger sometimes. The man up-stairs will not go away..." (174)
Guilt is a big moral lesson of the world today, as when one does wrong they will feel bad for the wrong they have done. Often told to little kids through fables and fairy tales.
"...Let this be a warning to you not to take vengeance into your own hands..." (196)
Another big moral lesson of today is that revenge is not the answer, as justice will do what is right in the judiciary system that the US has today.
"...It was his beauty that had ruined him , his beauty and the youth that he had prayed for..." (226)
Today, this can be related to a know lesson that you do not always get what you asked for. Yet Dorian thought he desired to have the youth forever, it actually ended up turning him evil and killing him. Much like today, people desire money and wealth which ends up corrupting them and hurting them morally.
Images From Today That connect with the Novel
This image from a modern showing of Romeo and Juliet, relates to the novel in obvious ways as Sybil Vane had been an actress. The love that Sybil and Dorian had was so great that it caused Sybil to commit suicide. Later on in the plot, Dorian ends up dying himself as his character has altered into an evil soul. |
Within this image of an elderly man observing himself as a young man, directly relates with Dorian's relationship with his portrait. However with swapped roles, Dorian's age is contained within the painting, as he is able to keep his youth. The man to left however, has aged greatly, yet his character has still remained young. |
Beauty is a key aspect of Wilde's novel, and through youth and aesthetics he depicts his version of beauty. To the right, a young Marilyn Monroe posses for a wonderful shot, displaying her facial beauty. Compared to Dorian, Basil and many other peers view him as eternally beautiful, much as many would view the everlasting Marilyn. |
News From Today That Parallels the Novel
In Dayton, Ohio, two victims are found stabbed to death. Relating to the dead filled novel, Basil and Dorian both lost their lives due to stab wounds. The difference is that Dorian had committed "suicide", where as Basil had been brutally murdered by Dorian. Another comparison between the article and the novel, is that the assailant is unknown.
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The Laing Art Gallery is displaying the famous portrait of Sir Anthony van Dyck as the centerpiece of their 2017 gallery. In the novel, the painting is not sent to be displayed, as Basil had too much connection with it. However, later on, his peers encourage him to have it displayed. Yet as the portrait is "stolen" when transferring it to Dorian's, it is never displayed.
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Tricia McCauley is most known for her role in the 2006 cinema, Step Up. On December 26th, 2016, she was found dead in her dead, due to strangulation. This relates to the novel as not only did an actress die (Sybil Vane), but Dorian actually committed murder. Noting that these events still occur today, shows the relevance of the novel lingers.
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a song that relates to the novel
The song developed by the musical group, FUN, called We Are Young, parallels with not just the idea of youth in Wilde's novel, but with many other themes as well. Dorian struggles with love throughout his relationships with people, not just Sybil or Basil, but with the Duchess and others as well. The man singing in the song seems to have a struggle with his own lover as he gave her a "scar" many months ago. Also, as Dorian had consumed a "green paste" nearing the end of the middle chapters, it parallels with this man's friends who are "getting higher than the Empire State". Other than a few other specific details that parallel the novel, overall the song is about the raging youth this man has that is burning like the Sun and causing him to fall apart. The lyrics are below.
Give me a second I,
I need to get my story straight
My friends are in the bathroom getting higher than the Empire State
My lover she’s waiting for me just across the bar
My seat’s been taken by some sunglasses asking 'bout a scar, and
I know I gave it to you months ago
I know you’re trying to forget
But between the drinks and subtle things
The holes in my apologies, you know
I’m trying hard to take it back
So if by the time the bar closes
And you feel like falling down
I’ll carry you home
Tonight
We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Tonight
We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Now I know that I’m not
All that you got
I guess that I, I just thought
Maybe we could find new ways to fall apart
But our friends are back
So let’s raise a toast
‘Cause I found someone to carry me home
Tonight
We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Tonight
We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Carry me home tonight (Nananananana)
Just carry me home tonight (Nananananana)
Carry me home tonight (Nananananana)
Just carry me home tonight (Nananananana)
The moon is on my side (Nananananana)
I have no reason to run (Nananananana)
So will someone come and carry me home tonight (Nananananana)
The angels never arrived (Nananananana)
But I can hear the choir (Nananananana)
So will someone come and carry me home (Nananananana)
Tonight
We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Tonight
We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
So if by the time the bar closes
And you feel like falling down
I’ll carry you home tonight