The Time of Oscar Wilde and the Picture of Dorian Gray

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

The Time of Oscar Wilde and the Picture of Dorian Gray

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to understand more about the time of Oscar Wilde and aestheticism, dandyism, the background of the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, and the novel itself.

We will also briefly talk about the Faustus theme and

new Hedonism

Explain to the students what they will learn and why it is important.

Hedonism

Hedonism is the belief that pleasure, or the absence of pain, is the most important principle in determining the morality of a potential course of action. Pleasure can be things like “sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll,” but it can also include any intrinsically valuable experience like reading a good book.

Dr Faustus

What was the Faustus theme?

Why is it relevant here?

What do you already know about Oscar Wilde and his works?

Oscar Wilde and Aestheticism

Oscar Wilde was an Irish playwright, novelist, and poet who was associated with the Aesthetic movement. Aestheticism is the belief that art should exist for its beauty alone, rather than to convey a moral message.

Explain the concept of aestheticism and its connection to Oscar Wilde.

Dandyism

Dandyism is a way of life that emphasizes elegance, refinement, and wit. It became popular in the late 19th century, and Oscar Wilde was one of its most famous practitioners.

Explain the concept of dandyism and its connection to Oscar Wilde.

What is Dandyism?

1. A type of food
2. A type of car
3. A style of dancing
4. A way of life that emphasizes elegance, refinement, and wit

What is the belief of Aestheticism?

1. Art should only be created by famous artists
2. Art should be free
3. Art should exist for its beauty alone
4. Art should always convey a moral message

What was Oscar Wilde known for?

1. Being associated with the Aesthetic movement
2. Being a scientist
3. Being a politician
4. Being a musician

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Background

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a novel written by Oscar Wilde and published in 1890. It tells the story of a beautiful young man named Dorian Gray who becomes obsessed with his own youth and beauty.

Explain the background of the novel and its connection to Oscar Wilde.

What is The Picture of Dorian Gray about?

1. A group of friends go on a journey to find a hidden treasure
2. A beautiful young man named Dorian Gray becomes obsessed with his own youth and beauty
3. A woman fights for her rights in a male-dominated society
4. A detective investigates a murder in Victorian London

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Themes

The novel explores themes of beauty, youth, corruption, and morality. It also examines the dangers of living a life of excess and the consequences of selfishness.

Explain the themes of the novel and their significance.

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Plot

In the novel, Dorian Gray has a portrait painted of himself that ages while he remains young and beautiful. As he indulges in a life of excess and sin, the portrait becomes increasingly hideous, while Dorian remains unchanged.

Explain the plot of the novel and its significance.

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Characters

The main characters in the novel are Dorian Gray, Lord Henry Wotton, and Basil Hallward. Dorian is the protagonist, Lord Henry is his corrupting influence, and Basil is the artist who paints Dorian's portrait.

Explain the main characters and their roles in the novel.

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Symbolism

The portrait in the novel is a symbol of Dorian's hidden sins and the corruption of his soul. It represents the decay and ugliness that lie beneath his beautiful exterior.

Explain the symbolism of the portrait and its significance.

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Reception

The novel was met with controversy and criticism when it was first published, due to its themes of homosexuality and immorality. However, it has since become a classic of English literature.

Explain the reception of the novel and its significance.

What is the portrait in The Picture of Dorian Gray a symbol of?

1. ugliness beneath beauty
2. Dorian's hidden sins and corruption
3. Basil's artistic talent
4. Dorian's true love and affection

Oscar Wilde's Legacy

Oscar Wilde was a significant figure in the Aesthetic movement and his works continue to be studied and admired today. He is known for his wit and his flamboyant personality, as well as his contributions to literature and art.

Explain the legacy of Oscar Wilde and his significance in literature and art.

Interactive Element - Discussion

Discuss with your classmates what you think the novel is trying to say about beauty, youth, and morality. What do you think the portrait symbolizes?

Encourage students to participate in a discussion about the themes and symbolism of the novel.

Quiz - True or False

1. Oscar Wilde was an Irish playwright, novelist, and poet who was associated with the Romantic movement.
2. Dandyism is a way of life that emphasizes elegance, refinement, and wit.
3. The Picture of Dorian Gray is a novel about a young man who becomes obsessed with his own beauty.
4. The portrait in the novel is a symbol of Dorian's hidden sins and the corruption of his soul.
5. The novel was met with controversy and criticism when it was first published, due to its themes of homosexuality and immorality.

Administer a quiz to test students' understanding of the material.

Quiz - Answer Key

1. False
2. True
3. True
4. True
5. True

Provide the answer key for the quiz.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a novel that explores themes of beauty, youth, corruption, and morality. It is a classic of English literature and has had a lasting impact on art and culture. By understanding the time of Oscar Wilde and the context in which the novel was written, we can better appreciate its significance.

Summarize the main points of the lesson and emphasize the importance of understanding the context of the novel.

Further Reading

If you are interested in learning more about Oscar Wilde and his works, you can check out some of these resources:
- The Complete Works of Oscar Wilde
- Oscar Wilde: A Life in Letters
- Oscar Wilde and the Aesthetic Movement

Provide students with additional resources for further reading and exploration.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.