Sunday, March 4, 2012

Chapters 9-12 Blog Question

If Wilde says that Dorian's character is whom he wants to be, what makes Dorian appealing? From what we have read, Dorian appears to be easily manipulated and influenced by Lord Henry, the character most readers suspect of representing Wilde.

15 comments:

  1. At the beginning of the book, I saw Wilde's wish to be like Dorian as more realistic. Dorian seemed like the picture of purity and perfection, which many people would admire. As the book has gone on, though, I have had the same confusion. I think that in a way, both Wilde and Dorian admire the tortured soul. Dorian seems almost glad when Sibyl dies, claiming it further elevates her into the sphere of art. I think this shows that Dorian is interested in the idea that tortured people are more interesting and beautiful, and maybe Wilde feels the same way. In a way, maybe the twisted and insensitive nature of Dorian is what makes him appealing.

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  2. I believe that nothing makes Dorian appealing. Wilde makes Dorian an easily manipulated character that doesn't care what he does. When Sibyl dies Dorian doesn't seem affected by the death. As the book keeps progressing Dorian is not someone that appeals to me by the actions Wilde writes for him.

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  3. I believe that even though most people see Wilde as being like Lord Henry, Wilde might be more like Dorian because Wilde was a very influenced man. Wilde might be trying to be more like Lord Henry so he can be the influencer and not the one being influenced. I feel that Wilde wanted to feel more powerful in the book therefor he made himself a more powerful character, and he wanted to influence someone else.

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  4. I believe Dorian seems appealing because of prior innocence to the knowledge and influence of Lord Henry. Dorian was so appealing because his life was at the point where it could go in any direction because he had no determinations, emotional attachments, or much influence. Dorian is the pefect piece of clay for someone to shape, that is what attracts people to him.

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  5. I believe that Dorian is appealing because like Kati said, he seems to be the picture of purity and perfection. He's young, he's handsome, everyone wants to know him and be like him. It's almost as if he starts to realize that as the story goes along. Then he realizes that he is all that and he can get away with sinning, which will lead to his downfall in the end.

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  6. At the beginning of the book Wilde made Dorian very appealing to everyone because of his innocence and his beauty. But as the book progresses those traits become less and less present. He becomes less innocent and starts to manipulate people. His beauty also starts to dwindle because of his sins he as committed. His appeal in my eyes thus far has disappeared.

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  7. As everyone has said, Dorian was quite the character at the beginning of the book, and I believe Wilde admired him for that reason. As Dorian's actions start to morph the portrait in his childhood school room, the readers can tell that he is not a good person. I think Wilde still admires Dorian becuase Dorian is living a life controlled by hedonism. Dorian doesn't really think of the consequences of his actions, because he will never look different. Wilde wanted to introduce this concept, hedonism, into the Victorian era, and for that reason he still admires Dorian.

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  8. Like everyone else has already said, Dorian was full of beauty and innocence at the beginning of the book. I think that this is why Wilde wanted us to believe this is who he was portraying himself through. As the story has progressed, we've seen all of his sins surface. Clearly, this is made is innocence disappear, and in a lot of ways his beauty. If Wilde really wants us to think of Dorian as how he looks at himself, then we can truly see that Wilde does not seem himself as a perfect, beautiful human being. It proves that he knows he has flaws, but maybe he just doesn't know what to do with them.

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  9. Dorian seems so appealing to Wilde probably because of his look looks and his popularity amongst the townsfolk. Wilde wants his innocence and his looks so that he could live a similar life-style. But as the story goes on, Dorian's innocence starts to fade away and his sins start to appear. If Wilde was this character, then he would not be such a perfect person at all, and it would prove that there is such thing as perfection.

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  10. I believe that Oscar Wilde wishes to be Dorian Grey because of his innocence and purity before he is corrupted as to Lord Henry who is seen as the corruption of the pure and innocent Dorian Grey. I think he would like to be viewed more as someone who was good before he was corrupted rather than the person who corrupts the pure and innocent

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  11. I think that Wilde says he is Dorian, despite his flaws, because he knows that he has the same flaws that Dorian has. Maybe Wilde views it as growing up; when he was a child, he was flawless and innocent, but when society took its toll on him and he started to become corrupted, he became how Dorian is at this point in the story. I think he also says he is like Dorian because he wishes he was appealing like Dorian is/was.

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  12. Wilde wanted to be like Dorian because now that Dorian's soul is in the painting, Dorian is able to live life without regret. Imagine how it would feel to be free from remorse, pain, or any consequences from your actions. This is what makes Dorian so appealing to Wilde. Wilde led a life that slapped his sins into his face, punished him for his flaws, and pushed him away for being "ugly". Dorian would never have to feel these pains if he ignored the painting; he could live in a sweet oblivion of peace.

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  13. Dorian was appealing at the beginning of the book. Now, not so much. He had no sympathy what so ever when Sibyl died. Seems like he didn't care at all after being so in love with her. Dorian continues to change throughout the book into more of a less appealing person.

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  14. Dorian is appealing to Wilde due to his ability to do whatever he wishes and not fell any feeling of regret or guilt. Dorian isn't affected by the death of Sibyl even though a few days before Sibyl was the only person he could think about. Wilde created a character like Dorian to represent the life that WIlde only dreamed that he could live.

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  15. Dorian is who Wilde wants to be because people are easily drawn to him and he is found beautiful by all. Wilde experienced heart break and Dorian appears to be the heart breaker. Also I think Wilde knows that he is an opinionated man and he wishes that he could be easily influenced to other ideas. But I definitely think what draws Wilde closest to Dorian is his beauty and ability to make people fall in love with him. Dorian is also viewed as innocent and naive where Wilde is viewed as a guilty man. Both seem to be bisexual, where one is accepted for it (Dorian) and the other is put in great shame for it (Wilde).

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