Study Questions
1. Do you think that Basil may have had a slight crush on Dorian Gray?
2. Do you believe “There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book”?
3. What does Dorian Gray wish for; would you ever make that wish?
• Answer must include: 1. Dorian wishes for the portrait to age instead of himself.
4. Where does Dorian put with his portrait?
• Answer must include:1. Dorian brings the painting upstairs in a room with a lock in which he barely uses.
5. What are one or two themes that you believe are present in the first five chapters of the book? Include examples.
6. Was Dorian right not to show Basil the aging portrait? Why?
7. How would you have felt if you were Dorian’s position when Basil made his confession about the painting?
8. What are your feelings towards Lord Henry’s reaction to Sibyl’s death?
9. What are your feelings towards Basil’s reaction to Sibyl’s death?
10. Who do you believe is more influential, Dorian or Lord Henry? Why?
11. Do you believe Dorian when he tells Basil that he is a closer friend than Lord Henry?
12. Do you believe the yellow book is a significant element in this novel?
13. After the death of James Vane, why does Dorian want to improve his life? Does he succeed?
• Answer must include:
1. Dorian believes that if he reforms his life, the painting won’t have as many modifications.
2. He does not succeed (with further explanation).
14. What happened in the end? Did it surprise you?
15. How did the servants recognize that the dead body was Dorian?
• Answer must include:
1. “It was not till they had examined the rings that they recognized who it was.” (Wilde p.219)
