Comparative Key Quotations Revision Notes for Edexcel A-Level English Literature

Comparative Key Quotations

Obsession and Madness

Both The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Little Stranger explore themes of obsession and madness, with characters who become consumed by their desires and fears.

The Picture of Dorian Grey

"The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself, with desire for what its monstrous laws have made monstrous and unlawful."

This quote illustrates Dorian's descent into moral decay, driven by his obsession with youth and beauty.
The language highlights the seductive nature of temptation and the consequences of giving in to one's darker impulses.
The emphasis on the soul growing "sick with longing" foreshadows Dorian's eventual madness and downfall.

The Little Stranger

"Every so often I'll sense a presence, or catch a movement at the corner of my eye, and my heart will give a jolt of fear and expectation: I'll imagine that the secret is about to be revealed to me at last; that I will see what Caroline saw, and recognise it, as she did."

Faraday's obsession with Hundreds Hall and the supposed supernatural presence drives him to the edge of madness.
The quote captures his growing paranoia and the psychological toll of his fixation.
The interplay of fear and expectation underscores the destructive nature of his obsession.

Decay and Decline

Both novels use the motif of physical decay to symbolise the moral and social decline of their characters and settings.

The Picture of Dorian Grey

"The life that was to make his soul would mar his body. He would become dreadful, hideous, and uncouth."

This quote emphasises the transformation of Dorian's portrait, reflecting the corruption of his soul.
The physical decay of the portrait parallels Dorian's moral degeneration.
The vivid imagery underscores the consequences of living a hedonistic and amoral life.

The Little Stranger

"Everything at Hundreds that used to shine is now dull, cracks have started to appear, rooms are shut up, and the serving staff is almost non-existent."

Hundreds Hall's physical decay symbolises the decline of the Ayers family and the British upper class post-WWII.
The imagery of deterioration reflects the loss of wealth, status, and relevance.
This quote highlights the inescapable connection between physical and social decay.

Social Class and Entitlement

Both texts critique the sense of entitlement and the impact of social class on their characters' lives.

The Picture of Dorian Grey

"I have never searched for happiness. Who wants happiness? I have searched for pleasure."

Dorian's pursuit of pleasure over happiness reflects his aristocratic sense of entitlement.
The quote underscores the hedonistic and superficial values of the upper class.
It critiques the emptiness of a life devoted solely to pleasure and self-indulgence.

The Little Stranger

"Like the Ayers family, even though he knows Hundreds is falling apart, Faraday cannot bring himself to leave it; the appeal of what Hundreds used to represent is too strong."

Faraday's obsession with Hundreds Hall reflects his desire to ascend the social hierarchy.
The quote critiques the stubborn clinging to past glories and the denial of present realities.
It highlights the destructive impact of social ambition and class entitlement.

The Supernatural and the Unconscious

Both novels explore the interplay between the supernatural and the unconscious mind.

The Picture of Dorian Grey

"His beauty had been to him but a mask, his youth but a mockery. What was youth at best? A green, an unripe time, a time of shallow moods, and sickly thoughts."

Dorian's reflexion on his beauty and youth reveals the inner turmoil masked by his outward appearance.
The quote delves into the psychological effects of his supernatural portrait.
It underscores the theme of the hidden, corrupted self.

The Little Stranger

"It was more than mere anger. It was as though the war itself had changed him, made an utter stranger of him."

The supernatural elements in The Little Stranger are tied to the psychological trauma of the characters.
The quote reflects Roderick's post-war transformation and the mysterious events at Hundreds Hall.
It explores the link between internal psychological states and external supernatural manifestations.

Isolation and Loneliness

Both texts depict the profound effects of isolation and loneliness on their characters.

The Picture of Dorian Grey

"He had never known the true nature of friendship until he had lost it."

Dorian's realisation of his isolation comes too late, reflecting his moral and emotional detachment.
The quote highlights the consequences of his selfish and destructive choices.
It underscores the theme of lost relationships and the resulting loneliness.

The Little Stranger

"Faraday's obsession with Hundreds never goes away. However, he does end the novel a changed man, as he genuinely thinks there is a chance that a supernatural entity haunts Hundreds."

Faraday's isolation is compounded by his fixation on the supernatural.
The quote captures his descent into loneliness and madness.
It illustrates the isolating effect of his obsessions and the loss of rational connections.

The Impact of War

Both novels address the lingering effects of war on individuals and society.

The Picture of Dorian Grey

"He grew more and more enamoured of his own beauty, more and more interested in the corruption of his own soul."

Although not directly about war, the quote reflects the inner conflict and moral battles Dorian faces.
It can be seen as an allegory for the broader societal conflicts and the personal toll of moral decay.
The impact of internal battles mirrors the external devastations of war.

The Little Stranger

"He seemed to hate himself, and everyone around him. Oh, when I think of all the boys like him, and all the frightful things we asked them to do in the name of making peace—!"

The quote explicitly addresses the psychological impact of war on Roderick.
It highlights the lasting trauma and the changes wrought by wartime experiences.
The passage critiques the societal expectations placed on soldiers and the personal cost of conflict.

The Power of the Past

Both novels explore how the past continues to influence and haunt the present.

The Picture of Dorian Grey

"The sins of the flesh are nothing. They are diseases. It is the sins of the soul that are shame."

Dorian's reflexion on his past sins underscores the enduring impact of his actions.
The quote emphasises the moral and psychological burden of past choices.
It highlights the theme of inescapable guilt and the haunting nature of one's past.

The Little Stranger

"Faraday's mother is a lower-class woman who works hard to ensure Faraday can afford college. At one point, she worked as a servant at Hundreds Hall."

Faraday's past and his mother's sacrifices continue to shape his ambitions and obsessions.
The quote illustrates the lasting influence of social and familial history.
It underscores the theme of the past's power to shape and haunt the present.

Comparative Key Quotations (Edexcel A-Level English Literature): Revision Notes