Themes (Grade 12 NSC Matric English HL): Revision Notes
Themes
Introduction to themes in The Picture of Dorian Grey
Understanding themes is crucial for analysing Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. A theme is the main idea or central message that runs throughout a story. Themes are not isolated concepts - they are developed through characters, events, and dialogue throughout the novel.
Themes in literature are like threads woven throughout a tapestry - they appear repeatedly in different forms and connect various elements of the story together to create deeper meaning.
Wilde explores several interconnected themes that reveal the moral corruption and social hypocrisy of Victorian society. These themes work together to create a powerful critique of aestheticism and the pursuit of pleasure without consequence.
Key themes in the novel
The major themes you should focus on include:
- Beauty and youth - the obsession with physical appearance and eternal youth
- Appearance versus reality - how things seem different from what they actually are
- Prejudice - social discrimination and class-based judgements
- Art and life - the relationship between artistic creation and real experience
- Outer beauty and inner depravity - the contrast between physical beauty and moral corruption
- The consequences of negative influence - how bad influences can destroy lives
- Hedonism - the pursuit of pleasure as life's primary goal
- Art as a mirror - how art reflects the soul of its subject
- Aestheticism - the belief that art and beauty are more important than moral values
- Addiction - dependency on pleasure and sensual experiences
Detailed analysis of major themes
Beauty and youth
Victorian society places enormous value on physical beauty and youthfulness. Lord Henry expresses this philosophy when he tells Dorian that beauty is "the wonder of wonders." This obsession with appearance becomes central to Dorian's character development.
When Lord Henry makes Dorian aware that his good looks will eventually fade, Dorian becomes consumed with jealousy towards his own portrait. He realises that whilst he will age and lose his beauty, the painting will remain forever young and flawless. This realisation leads to his desperate wish: "If only it was I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! ... I would give my soul for that!"
This moment represents Dorian's Faustian bargain - a deal with evil forces where someone trades their soul for worldly desires. Dorian effectively exchanges his soul for eternal youth and beauty, which becomes the novel's central supernatural element.
As the story develops, youth becomes symbolic of innocence. When Basil confronts Dorian about his reputation, he says he cannot believe the rumours because "Sin is a thing that writes itself across a man's face." Basil assumes that Dorian's youthful appearance proves his innocence, not realising that Dorian's sins are being recorded on his portrait instead.
Literary Example: Deception Through Appearance
Dorian manipulates his youthful looks to deceive others, including James Vane, who initially wants to kill him for destroying Sibyl's life. Dorian convinces Vane that "Prince Charming" would be much older by now, using his unchanged appearance to escape punishment. This scene perfectly demonstrates how Dorian weaponises his eternal youth to avoid consequences.
Appearance versus reality
This theme runs throughout the entire novel, showing how outward appearances can be completely misleading.
Dorian's deception: Despite his extraordinary beauty and youthful appearance, Dorian is actually morally corrupt, selfish, and narcissistic. He cares only about his own pleasure and satisfaction, destroying lives and leaving countless victims in his wake. People who become involved with Dorian lose their reputations and fall from social favour, with some characters like Sibyl Vane and Alan Campbell taking their own lives.
The contrast between Dorian's beautiful exterior and corrupt interior serves as Wilde's central metaphor for the superficiality and moral bankruptcy of Victorian high society.
Social hypocrisy: The refined, wealthy characters appear to be upstanding members of society, but they actually look down on middle-class values and use their money to justify poor behaviour and immoral actions. They present themselves as morally superior whilst engaging in corrupt practices.
The portrait's truth: Dorian's portrait appears to be Basil's finest artistic achievement, but it actually becomes a disturbing reminder of Dorian's sinful life. Instead of remaining forever youthful and beautiful as intended, the portrait deteriorates and becomes increasingly grotesque, reflecting the true state of Dorian's soul.
Prejudice
Wilde presents London society as deeply prejudiced against various groups, revealing the narrow-mindedness and social discrimination of the Victorian era.
Class prejudice: Dorian and Lord Henry look down on theatre audiences because the people who attend are not as wealthy as they are. These theatre-goers don't dress formally and cannot afford expensive tickets, making them targets for upper-class contempt.
Wilde himself was from the upper classes but used his position to critique the very society he was part of, exposing its prejudices and hypocrisies from within.
Religious discrimination: The novel reveals anti-Semitic attitudes through the description of the Jewish theatre manager as "the fat Jew manager ... waving his fat jewelled hands and talking at the top of his voice." During this period, Christianity was the dominant faith and Jewish people were excluded from gentlemen's clubs and faced widespread discrimination.
Gender prejudice: Women suffer from systematic discrimination and lack of respect. Lord Henry views women as merely "decorative" and holds strong opinions about the limited role women should play in society. Wilde characterises women as shallow and only valued in terms of their marriage prospects. The Duchess of Harley's concern about her appearance - "If I am late he is sure to be furious, and I couldn't have a scene in this bonnet. It is far too fragile. A harsh word would ruin it" - shows how women are reduced to their appearance and social obligations.
Treatment of servants: Working-class people, particularly servants, are treated poorly and remain largely invisible as characters. When Lord Henry asks Basil for a drink, Basil casually replies: "Certainly, Harry. Just touch the bell, and when Parker comes I will tell him what you want." This demonstrates how servants are viewed as mere conveniences rather than people worthy of direct interaction.
Understanding how themes work
Remember that themes are developed through the actions of characters and the events in the story. They are not separate from the plot but are woven throughout the narrative.
When analysing themes, look for:
- How characters embody or represent different themes
- How events in the story illustrate thematic ideas
- How dialogue reveals thematic concerns
- How symbols and imagery support thematic development
Key Points to Remember:
- Themes are interconnected - beauty, appearance versus reality, and prejudice all work together to critique Victorian society
- The Faustian bargain is central - Dorian's deal for eternal youth drives the entire plot and connects to themes of beauty, art, and moral corruption
- Hypocrisy is everywhere - characters consistently appear different from their true nature, from Dorian's innocent looks to society's moral pretensions
- Social criticism is key - Wilde uses these themes to expose the prejudice and shallow values of Victorian upper-class society
- Use textual evidence - support your analysis with specific quotes and examples from the novel to demonstrate how themes are developed