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QUESTION 7: THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY - CONTEXTUAL QUESTION Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow - NSC English HL - Question 7 - 2024 - Paper 2
Question 7
QUESTION 7: THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY - CONTEXTUAL QUESTION Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow. EXTRACT A So that was the story of... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:QUESTION 7: THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY - CONTEXTUAL QUESTION Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow - NSC English HL - Question 7 - 2024 - Paper 2
Step 1
7.2 Refer to lines 6–7: 'It posed the ... as it were.'
Answer
In Victorian society, youth and beauty were highly prized, often equated with innocence and purity. The upper class, often superior to the lower classes, viewed these traits as indicators of one's social value. Dorian Gray, being young, beautiful, and wealthy, embodies these ideals, making him a 'perfect' figure in the eyes of society.
Step 2
7.3 Refer to lines 1–6: 'So that was ... and loveless man.'
Answer
The description of Dorian's upbringing highlights the emotional neglect he experienced due to the loss of his mother and the lack of parental guidance. This background incites sympathy from the reader. The contrast between his physical beauty and the pain of his past enriches the complexity of his character, suggesting that his difficulties may have influenced his later actions and relationships.
Step 3
7.4 Refer to lines 13–14: 'There was something ... was like it.'
Answer
These lines reveal Lord Henry's manipulative view of people. He perceives individuals as mere subjects for experimentation, reflecting his egotistical nature. This attitude is indicative of his desire to control Dorian, viewing his influence as a form of artistic endeavor rather than a moral obligation. This also sets the stage for Dorian's transformation under Henry's influence.
Step 4
7.5 Refer to line 1: 'It was here I found her.'
Answer
Dorian is captivated by Sibyl Vane, who embodies the ideal woman for him—one who possesses artistic beauty and emotional depth. He believes that her talent elevates both her and himself, demonstrating his obsession with aesthetic experiences. This pivotal moment underscores the influence of external beauty on his perception of love and identity.
Step 5
7.6 Explain how Lord Henry's response (lines 7–8) to Dorian's description of 'these common, rough people' (line 2) reveals the class structure in Victorian society.
Answer
Lord Henry's repulsion towards the lower classes signifies the prevalent class divisions of Victorian society. He expresses disdain for the roughness of the lower class, emphasizing their crude natures. This reveals the existing barriers between social strata and the tendency of the upper class to regard the lower class with contempt.
Step 6
7.7 Refer to lines 15–16: 'This marriage is quite right.'
Answer
Basil initially objects to the engagement due to Sibyl's low status but later seems to accept Dorian's decision. He sees Sibyl as a potential influence on Dorian's character, perhaps believing that her virtue could lead him towards a more wholesome life. However, Dorian's desire for Sibyl is rooted in superficiality, showing a stark contrast in their values and foreshadowing conflict.
Step 7
7.8 Comment on the significance of this image in the context of the novel.
Answer
Sibyl's performance as an actress can be interpreted as a metaphor for Dorian's own existence—he becomes an audience to her life, reflecting his own need for control over beauty and emotion. This dynamic raises questions about authenticity versus performance, as Lord Henry views both Dorian and Sibyl as instruments of his aesthetic ideology, highlighting the novel's exploration of art and life.
Step 8
7.9 Refer to line 2: 'When she acts, you will forget everything.'
Answer
This statement emphasizes the transformative power of art, suggesting that Sibyl’s performance allows the audience to escape reality, affording a momentary release. However, Dorian's infatuation with Sibyl indicates his confusion between illusion and reality, demonstrating the novel's thematic exploration of obsession and the fleeting nature of beauty.