What are some examples of irony in The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde?

Answer 1

In my general opinion this novel presents to as a list of morals. I would prefer one. Beauty is really a gemstone. It is listed among the beautiful things of the life. You might have it or not. In both cases, it is nearly the same. In the end, after some years of joy and life it becomes equal to both these people. Because, the beauty one day it is, the other it has gone. While what is left in every men's end are the crows and the years and if he is lucky the humanity and the goodness too.

Answer 2

Fresh-faced and innocent, Dorian Gray arrives in London to move into the house he has inherited. Almost immediately he falls under the influence of amoral and calculating Lord Henry Wotton, leading to a life of increasing debauchery and even violence. Through many years Gray stays as young-looking as ever, while a portrait painted when he arrived grows old, reflecting his increasing excesses. Eventually the picture, now secreted in his attic, becomes almost hideous to behold. When true love finally enters his life he realises he must guard his secret at all costs.

Answer 3

In the 2003 Barnes & Noble Classics Edition of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, a page of quotes can be found on the very first page of the novel, titled "From the Pages of The Picture of Dorian Gray". Here are some of the quotes included:

"All art is quite useless" (2). (this is located in the preface)

"There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about" (4).

"Being natural is simply a pose, and the most irritating pose I know" (7).

"Life has always poppies in her hands" (105).

"No theory of life seemed to him to be of any importance compared with life itself" (136).

Here's a quote not listed on this page from DG that I quite like as well:

"You can never be overdressed or overeducated."

Answer 4

There are many themes in The Portrait of Dorian Gray. The first one that comes to mind is "be careful what you wish for." Right after Basil paints the portrait (and after some manipulation from Lord Henry) Dorian wishes that the portrait will show his age while he remains forever young. This allows Dorian to participate in any and all vices he wishes while remaining young and handsome, while the picture becomes a twisted horrid thing, and eventually his demise.

One of the underlying themes I found that struck me as important was "one crime (sin, vice, whatever word you wish to use) leads to another or makes the next easier to commit to." When Dorian falls in love with Sybil, then dumps her because her acting turns horrible the night he brings Lord Henry to the Opera, she kills herself. Dorian is only upset for moments while Lord Henry "comforts" him. It becomes easier and easier for him to feel nothing after being a part of each of his sins/crimes/vices. This mindset, however, is only true until Sybil's brother, James, is accidentally shot at Dorian's estate. This might be because the guilt is finally eating away at his soul, or maybe his paranoia finally reached a breaking point.

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

The color white represent innocence. (Rose white boyhood). Dorian describes his earlier days as rose white because he was innocent back then. He was free of sin.

Yellow book- the influence Henry has on Dorian. It's poisonous and corrupts Dorian, but Dorian follows the book religiously. Can also be as symbol for the bad influence art can have on a person.

Portrait- represents dorian's soul. with every sin he commits, his soul is injured and the portrait becomes uglier. LIke his inner body is corrupted, so is the portrait. Later serves as his conscience.

FLowers represent female beauty. Sybil is descirbed as a rose. Hetty as a jasmine.

Answer 6

One example of irony in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is the contrast between Dorian's outward appearance of youth and beauty, while the portrait hidden in his attic ages and reflects his true soul. Another example is the character Lord Henry, who consistently gives cynical advice about embracing hedonism and living for pleasure, but ultimately falls victim to the consequences of his own philosophy.

Answer 7

Juliet from "Romeo and Juliet", Imogen from "Cymbeline", Rosalind from "As you like it", Narcissus, Lucifer

Answer 8

To my mind there is no irony in the main part of the book, until near the end, when he realises what is happening to his portrait

Answer 9

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