V6 P2 W8 The Picture of Dorian Gray II

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

Basic rules

• We do our work when we should
• We are silent during explanations and raise our hands for questions
• Our phone is in our "zakkie" on the corner of our table
• We don't eat, drink, or chew gum in class

learning goals

I can give my informed opinion on the discussed literature.

Homework: discussion questions

1. Relate at least 2 Victorian elements to the novel. Make sure to explain your answer by using an example from the novel. 

Victorian Era: Characteristics

• daily life
  
• moral purpose
• idealism/ideal life
• pessimism
• visually descriptive
• dramatic monologue
• takes inspiration from renaissance

Characteristics of Victorian Novel: 

1. Standard middle-class (bourgeoisie) habits and standards of behaviour.

2. The most popular topic is the adaptation of the individual to society. (Was this similar to the Romantic era?)

3. Emphasis on the way that characters develop. 

(lower class described in a boring manner, aristocracy portrayed in a jealous/arrogant manner). 

Homework: discussion questions

2. Which conflict would you say is present in the book? (man Vs. man, man Vs. society, man Vs. nature) Explain your answer.

Homework: discussion questions

3. How can The Picture of Dorian Gray be considered an example of the Aesthetic movement? Explain your answer. 

Background:

• commotion after publication: homosexuality and mistresses. The novel was used as evidence in a lawsuit in 1895 against Wilde, tried and convicted on charges of homosexuality.    

• Wilde's response: “There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. " "Book are well written, or badly written."

• The novel could be read as a profoundly moral book, even a cautionary tale against the dangers of immorality. 
  

Aesthetic Movement

While Victorians believed art had to have a clear objective: educate masses, distinguish good from bad, be beautiful. 

This movement believes the aim of art was to have no aims = Art for Art's sake.

Homework: discussion questions

4. Find a quote by Oscar Wilde that you like and explain it. 

"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell the truth."

“If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.”

"You don't love someone for their looks, or their clothes or their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear."

"You can never be overdressed or overeducated."

your questions about the literature