Dorian Gray Chapter 3 – Discussion

Summary

This script from 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' explores Lord Henry's influence on Dorian, highlighting Henry's cynical worldview and his disregard for the consequences of his actions. It delves into Henry's conversations with Dorian and others, revealing his hedonistic and aesthetic philosophies, which Dorian becomes increasingly infatuated with. The summary underscores Dorian's tragic background and the potential for his downfall under Henry's toxic guidance, setting the stage for the novel's exploration of beauty, morality, and the pursuit of pleasure.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script discusses Chapter 3 of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', focusing on the character of Lord Henry and his influence on Dorian Gray.
• 👤 Lord Henry is portrayed as a charming yet cynical character who often speaks without meaning what he says, which is a trait that both attracts and misleads Dorian.
• 💬 Conversations in the novel reveal Lord Henry's views on youth, money, and the importance of beauty, often using aphorisms to express his hedonistic and aesthetic beliefs.
• 👶 Dorian Gray's tragic background is highlighted, including his mother's beauty, her marriage to a penniless soldier, and the subsequent death of both parents, which evokes sympathy for Dorian.
• 🎨 The theme of beauty and tragedy is explored, suggesting that behind every exquisite thing, there might be a tragic story, foreshadowing Dorian's own fate.
• 🧠 The psychological aspects of the characters, particularly Lord Henry's desire to dominate and influence Dorian, are a central focus of the chapter.
• 🕊️ Dorian's innocence and purity are contrasted with his eventual corruption, showing the transformative power of Lord Henry's influence.
• 🗣️ Lord Henry's disregard for the consequences of his influence on Dorian is evident, as he treats people and life as mere experiments for his own amusement.
• 🍽️ The setting of Aunt Agatha's luncheon serves as a stage for Lord Henry to display his wit and charm, further captivating Dorian and the other guests.
• 🚫 Warnings from other characters, such as Basil and Lady Agatha, about taking Lord Henry's words seriously are mentioned, indicating his reputation for speaking without sincerity.
• 🔮 Dorian's infatuation with Lord Henry's worldview is complete, as he chooses to follow Lord Henry over keeping his promise to Basil, showing the depth of his influence.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Chapter Three in 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'?

The main topic of Chapter Three is Lord Henry's visit to his uncle, Lord Fermor, to learn more about Dorian Gray, and the subsequent conversation that reveals Lord Henry's character and his influence on Dorian.

Why does Lord Henry visit his uncle, Lord Fermor?

Lord Henry visits his uncle to find out more details about Basil's friend, Dorian Gray, showing his curiosity and interest in Dorian.

What is the significance of the conversation between Lord Henry and his uncle about money?

The conversation about money reveals Lord Henry's nonchalant attitude towards financial responsibility, hinting at his carefree and possibly unreliable nature.

How does Lord Henry's statement about never paying his bills reflect his character?

Lord Henry's statement about never paying his bills suggests that he might be a person who says things he doesn't mean, indicating a potential lack of sincerity and seriousness in his character.

What does Lord Henry's uncle say about Dorian Gray's family background?

Lord Henry's uncle reveals that Dorian's grandfather was Lord Kelso and his mother was Lady Margaret Deo, who was known for her extraordinary beauty and her scandalous marriage to a penniless soldier.

Why was Dorian Gray's father killed in a duel?

Dorian's father was killed in a duel arranged by Lord Kelso, who disapproved of his daughter's marriage to a man of low social standing.

How does the information about Dorian Gray's family contribute to his character development?

The tragic family background adds depth to Dorian's character, making him a more sympathetic figure and providing context for his later downfall.

What is the significance of the quote 'Behind every exquisite thing that existed there was something tragic'?

This quote suggests a connection between beauty and tragedy, foreshadowing the tragic events that will unfold in Dorian's life despite his outward perfection.

How does Lord Henry's influence on Dorian manifest in Chapter Three?

Lord Henry's influence is evident in his conversations with Dorian, where he imparts his cynical and hedonistic views, which Dorian becomes increasingly fascinated with.

What does Lady Agatha's comment about Lord Henry's words reveal about his character?

Lady Agatha's comment that Lord Henry 'never means anything that he says' highlights the idea that his words are not to be taken seriously, further emphasizing his manipulative and insincere nature.

How does Dorian Gray's reaction to Lord Henry's arrival at Aunt Agatha's luncheon show his infatuation with Lord Henry's ideas?

Dorian's flush of pleasure upon seeing Lord Henry and his eagerness to be in his company indicate a strong infatuation with Lord Henry's ideas and theories.

What does the Duchess's comment about Lord Henry being 'delightful and dreadfully demoralizing' suggest about his impact on others?

The Duchess's comment suggests that while Lord Henry is charming and witty, his influence can be morally corrupting, as he espouses views that can lead to demoralization.

Why does Dorian choose to go with Lord Henry instead of keeping his promise to Basil?

Dorian's choice to go with Lord Henry over fulfilling his promise to Basil demonstrates the extent of Lord Henry's influence on him and his prioritization of Lord Henry's company over loyalty and obligation.

What is the connection between Lord Henry's behavior and the themes of aestheticism and hedonism?

Lord Henry's focus on beauty and pleasure, and his disregard for morality, directly ties his behavior to the themes of aestheticism and hedonism, which value art and sensory experiences above all else.

What is the significance of aphorisms in Lord Henry's speech and how do they reflect his views?

Aphorisms are used by Lord Henry to convey his cynical and hedonistic philosophies in a concise and impactful manner, making them a tool for his manipulative influence on Dorian and others.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 The Influence of Lord Henry and Dorian Gray's Origins

This paragraph delves into the character dynamics and backstory of Dorian Gray, as introduced in Chapter Three of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray.' It begins with Lord Henry visiting his uncle, Lord Fermor, to learn more about Dorian. The conversation reveals Lord Henry's frivolous attitude towards money and his personality traits, which are consistently portrayed throughout the novel. The backstory of Dorian's parents is unveiled, with his mother being described as extraordinarily beautiful and his father meeting a tragic end in a duel arranged by Dorian's grandfather, Lord Kelso. This information paints Dorian as a more tragic figure, evoking sympathy for his difficult upbringing and setting the stage for his eventual downfall.

05:01

🎨 Aestheticism and the Tragic Nature Behind Beauty

The second paragraph explores the themes of aestheticism and the tragic nature often hidden behind exquisite things, using Dorian Gray as a prime example. It discusses the idea that behind every outwardly perfect individual, there may be a tragic backstory. Dorian's character is further analyzed, highlighting his purity, innocence, and exceptional looks, which make him a perfect subject for Lord Henry's influence. The paragraph also touches on the psychological aspects of the characters, particularly Basil's secrecy and idolization of Dorian, and Lord Henry's desire to dominate and experiment with Dorian's life, viewing it as a form of art.

10:03

🗣️ Lord Henry's Cynical Charm and Dangerous Influence

This section of the script focuses on Lord Henry's conversational style and the impact of his cynical yet charming aphorisms at a luncheon attended by Dorian and Aunt Agatha. Lord Henry's disregard for suffering and his promotion of hedonism and aestheticism are critiqued. His statements are seen as both delightful and demoralizing, reflecting his ability to captivate an audience despite his immoral views. The guests' reactions to Lord Henry serve to highlight the dangerous potential of his influence, as noted by Mr. Erskine, who deems him 'extremely dangerous.'

15:04

🔮 Dorian's Obsession with Lord Henry and the Consequences of Influence

The final paragraph of the script examines Dorian Gray's growing obsession with Lord Henry and the latter's heartless willingness to shape Dorian's life without considering the consequences. Dorian's loyalty to Basil is tested and found lacking as he chooses to accompany Lord Henry instead. This decision underscores Dorian's susceptibility to Lord Henry's influence and foreshadows the negative outcomes that will result from adopting Lord Henry's values. The paragraph concludes with an emphasis on the connection between Lord Henry's behavior and the ideologies of aestheticism and hedonism, which prioritize beauty and pleasure above morality.

Keywords

💡Lord Henry

Lord Henry is a central character in 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' who influences Dorian with his hedonistic and cynical views. His conversations and behavior reflect the novel's exploration of moral corruption and superficiality. For instance, he remarks on never paying bills, illustrating his flippant attitude toward responsibility and societal norms.

💡Dorian Gray

Dorian Gray is the protagonist whose portrait ages while he remains youthful, symbolizing the consequences of a life devoted to pleasure and aesthetic beauty. His tragic background, including the death of his parents and upbringing by a cruel grandfather, sets the stage for his susceptibility to Lord Henry's influence.

💡Basil

Basil Hallward is the artist who paints Dorian's portrait and represents the moral and artistic integrity in contrast to Lord Henry. Basil's early warnings about Lord Henry's influence and his admiration for Dorian's beauty highlight the novel's themes of art, beauty, and morality.

💡Youth and Beauty

Youth and beauty are central themes in the novel, symbolized by Dorian's unchanging appearance. These themes are explored through Lord Henry's dialogues, such as his dismissal of money's importance and his view that retaining youth justifies repeating past mistakes.

💡Moral Corruption

Moral corruption is depicted through Dorian's transformation under Lord Henry's influence. His lack of loyalty to Basil and obsession with Lord Henry's philosophies illustrate his descent into a morally corrupt life, where superficial beauty masks internal decay.

💡Influence

Influence, particularly Lord Henry's influence over Dorian, is a key concept. Lord Henry's manipulation and the impact on Dorian's actions, such as his reaction to Sibyl Vane's death, underscore the novel's examination of how external influences shape one's character and fate.

💡Hedonism

Hedonism, the pursuit of pleasure as the highest good, is embodied by Lord Henry and eventually adopted by Dorian. This philosophy is evident in their disregard for moral consequences, as seen in their dialogues about suffering and beauty.

💡Tragic Childhood

Dorian's tragic childhood, including the orchestrated death of his father and his mother's subsequent demise, adds depth to his character and evokes sympathy. This background is critical in understanding his vulnerability to Lord Henry's toxic influence and his eventual downfall.

💡Aestheticism

Aestheticism, the belief in art for art's sake and the elevation of beauty above moral considerations, is a major theme. Lord Henry's character and his conversations about the superficial nature of beauty and the irrelevance of morality reflect this philosophy.

💡Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy is highlighted in Lord Henry's behavior, such as his statement that all influence is immoral while actively influencing Dorian negatively. This duplicity is a critique of the superficial and contradictory nature of societal values and personal ethics.

Highlights

Lord Henry visits his uncle Lord Fermor to learn more about Dorian Gray.

Lord Henry's conversation reveals his views on money and his disregard for paying bills.

Basil initially noted that Lord Henry often says things he doesn't mean.

Lord Henry seeks useless information about Dorian Gray out of sheer curiosity.

Dorian Gray's grandfather was Lord Kelso, a not very nice man.

Dorian's mother, Lady Margaret Devereux, was extraordinarily beautiful but married a penniless soldier.

Lord Kelso arranged for Dorian's father to be killed in a duel.

Dorian's mother died shortly after giving birth to him, making his upbringing tragic.

Dorian Gray falls into the negative influence of Lord Henry.

Behind every exquisite thing there was something tragic, as seen in Dorian's portrait.

Basil's secrecy and idolization of Dorian add psychological complexity to his character.

Lord Henry seeks to dominate and experiment on Dorian without regard for consequences.

Dorian Gray is infatuated with Lord Henry's theories and wants to be constantly around him.

Lord Henry's influence on Dorian leads to tragic outcomes, reflecting his heartlessness.

Lord Henry uses aphorisms to convey his cynical and aesthetic viewpoints throughout the novel.

Transcripts

moving on to chapter three of the

picture of Darian gray and I'm going to

try my best to get through the few

points that I want to get through as

quickly as possible um it starts off

with Lord Henry visiting his uncle Lord

furore because he's desperate to find

out more details about Basil's friend

Dorian Gray um he arrives Lord Henry

arrives at his uncle's place and they

have a little conversation about how

youth think that money is everything and

when they get older they realize it is

and blah blah blah anyway Lord Henry

says I don't want money it is only

people who pay their bills who want that

and I never pay mine so just the little

things that he says throughout the novel

um create this greater idea and

understanding of the type of person that

Lord Henry is and it doesn't always

matter that you know he's not talking to

Dorian Gray it's not about um you know

only when he speaks to Dorian Gray it's

about this is the type of person he is

and this is how he talks to everybody

and to say something like oh I never pay

my bills um you think to yourself well

that's probably not true uh which

creates the idea or strengthens the

argument that he says things that he

doesn't mean that Lord Henry cannot

actually be taken seriously and basil

said that right at the start of the

novel he said I think that you're

actually an excellent husband probably

and that you you say a lot of what

things that you actually don't do um and

that we we can't take you seriously

because I bet you haven't done you know

you anything wrong you say all these

terrible things but I bet you don't

actually do them um so the fact that he

never pays his bills is probably a lie

he probably does what I want is

information he says to his uncle not

useful information of course useless

information I mean why would somebody

want useless information and I guess it

is kind of useless information but he

just interested in Dorian gry and he

wants to find out more Uncle says well I

can tell you anything that is in an

English Blue Book you think of an

English Blue Book in those days as

almost a record book of names and

addresses and things like that maybe

family linage and and whatever um Lord

Henry says well uh here is the last Lord

kelo's grandson so we know that Dorian

Gray's grandfather was Lord Kelo not a

very nice man um dorian's mother was a

Deo lady Margaret Deo who I've

highlighted in pink there just as a name

not really important but um just so if

you see that name you know that's

dorian's mother uh the uncle explains

that she was an extraordinary beautiful

girl which makes sense why Dorian is so

good-look and made all the men frantic

by running away with a penniless young

fellow a soldier actually in the Army

and of course she was of upper class uh

Lord kelo's daughter and so it would be

have been a bad image and unexpected and

well for Lord Kelo embarrassing for her

to go and fall in love with some poor

person some poor guy with a low rank in

the Army um the poor chap was killed in

a duel at spa a few months after the

marriage so what happened was you can

read all about this on page 42 but um

Lord

Kelso arranged for somebody to have a

duel with this man dorian's father and

have him killed because he didn't want

his daughter going around with this poor

fellow and we also discover that

dorian's mother died shortly after

giving birth to Dorian um within a year

of that whole duel um then the uncle

says I hope he will he Dorian will fall

into proper hands and well unfortunately

he does not fall into proper hands at

all does he he falls into Lord Henry's

hands and Lord Henry is an incredibly

negative toxic influence um on the right

hand side I've put that uh this

information makes Dorian a more tragic

figure which it definitely does um you

take Dorian who we're going to see his

downfall um but you see also that he had

a rough upbringing you know that he

didn't know his father at all or his

mother um and he was left to be looked

after this horrible man Lord Kelso who

actually arranged for the father to be

killed uh so we have a sense of sympathy

for Dorian so when he has his downfall

he you know it's tragic because he had a

tragic childhood and yeah he may be

wealthy and all that but um it's not

nice at all so moving on to page 44

behind every Exquisite thing that

existed there was something tragic and

if we think about that um is there any

truth to that well I don't know about

every but you know for us if you think

about a lot of well-known people famous

people celebrities inventors Etc uh they

often have quite a tragic backstory or

they grew up very poor or there was

abuse in the house Etc so I guess um

that could make sense um but if we you

know read further on into the novel and

we come back to this and we can think

well uh behind every Exquisite thing

that being Dorian Gray there's something

tragic well the portrait becomes

incredibly tragic um behind Dorian so

although Dorian May on the EXT area

outwardly not age and look perfect there

is in fact something tragic and terrible

uh behind the scenes literally page 45

Dorian was a marvelous type type of

person you know the fact that he had

this strange unusual childhood and um he

had purity of Boyhood innocent naive um

and then incredibly good-looking you

know uh there was nothing that one could

not do with him um like mold him like a

piece of clay which you know you

shouldn't do what a Pity it was that

such beauty was destined to fade well of

course we as well we're going to

discover that uh that's not really going

to happen at least not for some time um

but yes in in fact uh what a Pity that

he is going to get older according to

everybody else and basil well from a

psychological point of view how

interesting he was from a psychological

point inter viw remember at the start of

the novel um it goes to say that uh well

Basel actually says that he's he's grown

to love secrecy and he doesn't reveal

people his friends names and that

because it uh removes the secrecy kind

of thing around them and we also hear

stories of Basil disappearing for weeks

on end and and and and the fact that uh

he has this incredible idolization of

Dorian Gray and the painting and he

won't exhibit it and you know he won't

bear his soul and all that so he is

interesting in that sense because

psychologically trying to understand

what's going on in Basil's brain is is

like very very fascinating page 46 Lord

Henry would seek to dominate Dorian had

already indeed half done so yes we can

see that and um you

know um Lord Henry is not subtle about

his desire to dominate Dorian at all and

he's well aware of the fact that he is

doing it um he would make that wonderful

spirit his own so Lord Henry sees Dorian

as an experiment and that he can do what

he likes and say what he likes to Dorian

and Dorian will react and it's

immaterial how Dorian reacts and what

the outcome is to Lord Henry he doesn't

care you know who cares if if Dorian has

a tragic downfall or takes the advice

and it ends badly for him uh it's just

an experiment and we'll see that when

Lord Henry talks to Dorian about Cil

Vain's death as well as also being you

know a marvelous experience um that is

Lord Henry's view of of life and of

everything and of people there's no

regard for people and as we'll see later

Cil vain is is just an art form you know

that there's no rec that this is real

life and that's a real person who's

committed

suicide um also I've put there in

Chapter 2 Lord Henry said that all

influence is immoral it's bad so he's

hypocritical because now he's stating

that well all he is going to make Dorian

an experiment and and influence him

negatively um and so he's recognizing

that his own influence is not good but

he doesn't care

Lord Henry arrives at Aunt Agatha is

sorry aunt aunt aunt Agatha's luncheon

um where Dorian is already present and

of course Lord Henry arrives late

surprise surprise um Dorian bowed to him

shilly from the end of the table a flush

of pleasure stealing to his cheek when

Dorian Grace sees Lord Henry arrive he

is so happy he is filled with pleasure

because he is almost infatuated uh with

Lord Henry's um

theories page 49 lady Agatha at this

luncheon says to Dorian don't mind him

Lord Henry don't mind him my dear he

never means anything that he says and

she is quite true um and it's another

warning just like basil warned Dorian

not to take what Lord Henry says

seriously he doesn't actually live those

theories himself Lord Henry goes on to

say I can sympathize with everything

except suffering and you think to

yourself well that doesn't make sense

that's not very nice that's wrong we

should sympathize with people who suffer

but Lord Henry says nope it is too ugly

too horrible too distressing now of

course when somebody is suffering um you

try and sympathize with them it's not a

pleasant topic it's not a nice thing to

do um and what Lord Henry is saying is

in fact it's very ugly and it's ugly

horrible distressing and the whole thing

of hedonism is to experience pleasure at

all costs and so anything that distracts

from pleasure should not be thought of

should be avoided there is something

terribly morbid in the modern sympathy

with pain when you and I would say I

think it's great that people are

sympathetic with those who are suffering

and and in pain whether emotional pain

or physical pain Lord Henry says one

should sympathize with the color the

beauty the joy Jo of life we get the

aestheticism and the this new headism

that Lord Henry says that Society needs

the less said about life SES the

better well I suppose if we read later

uh we can see Dorian saying less about

his life's Source um the better because

the portrait is hidden away and uh it

would reveal all his conscience and his

terrible doings so he certainly uh

doesn't want to mention anything about

what he does but that's uh a little bit

later page 49 The Duchess who's at this

luncheon um and they have this whole

conversation at the table and all that

and and Lord Henry is saying all these

uh little epigrams and sayings and he

being very witty and being quite harsh

and that and The Duchess says to Lord

Henry you are really very comforting you

are really very comforting so it's

almost like Lord Henry is so witty the

guests are just Charmed armed by him

despite his clear selfishness and and

wrong ways of thinking and that's the

whole point of Lord Henry's character

that is how he has got Dorian to be

under his spell as it were page 50 Lord

Henry says to get back one's youth one

has to merily repeat one's folies

because the duchess asks I wish I could

be young again the only thing one never

regrets on one's mistakes and we think

no that's not true that's not that's not

good advice

um you know you

shouldn't uh if you do bad things or

silly things when you're young yeah it's

understandable you're young you didn't

know any different but in order to be

young again you must go and remake those

mistakes that's not good advice we were

supposed to learn from our mistakes page

51 Dorian Gray never took his gaze off

Lord Henry but sat like one under a

spell there it is that shows us how

obsessed Dorian almost is is with Lord

Henry how engrossed he is by what Lord

Henry has to say and we know as the

reader that's unfortunate because we

have the ability to see that what Lord

Henry says is not always good advice at

all um page 51 The Duchess leaves and

says goodbye Lord Henry you are quite

delightful and dreadfully demoralizing

and that sums up Lord Henry very well

what he has to say is delightful because

you're just intrigued by what he's

saying and sometimes uh he says these

sort of half truths um but they are

dreadfully demoralizing in that he just

tears life to pieces and he's so cynical

and critical and just it's just

poisonous and immoral very often what he

has to say page 52 after that one of the

guests at the table there uh Mr

ersin asks Lord Henry may I ask if you

really meant all that you said to us at

lunch you can go and read up exactly

what Lord Henry said in that but it

wasn't very nice stuff and Lord Henry

says I quite forget what I said was it

all very bad which just proves that Lord

Henry doesn't take what he says

seriously because he can't even remember

what he said he he just speaks he just

talks rubbish he likes being the center

of attention he likes having the sound

of his own voice going you know um Mr

kin says yes it was very bad indeed in

fact I consider you extremely dangerous

and if anything happens to our good

Duchess we shall all look on you as

being primarily responsible well nothing

really happens to the duchess but the

fact of the matter is is that that

proves from somebody else's point of

view Mr kin kin's point of view that

Lord Henry is or has the potential to be

incredibly uh influential to people

around him not in a good way that same

page um it says as Lord Henry was

passing out of the door Doran gr touched

him on the arm and said let me come with

you Lord Henry says but I thought you

had promised basil to go and see him and

Dorian says I would sooner come with you

so uh there's no loyalty there poor

basil who he's known far longer than

he's known Lord Henry um he rejects

basil he lets him down he declines you

know the invitation he there's no

loyalty I'm not going to you know I said

I'd go but I'm not going to go all I

want to do is go with you Lord Henry

it's almost as if as I said he's Dorian

is obsessed with Lord Henry Dorian has

fallen fully under the spell of Lord

Henry's

influence um and of course if we read

further on we know that it will end up

very badly for Dorian and that Lord

Henry's

uh what he says is in fact very bad

indeed because Dorian adopts those ways

of thinking and it ends badly for him um

Darian says I would sooner come with you

and will you will promise to talk to me

all the time promise that you're just

going to talk to me all the time all I

want now is to to look at life you know

you may come and look at it with me if

you care to and so at this point we can

argue that Lord Henry is heartless and

he's willing to develop Dorian with no

thought of any consequence dorian's

beauty is all that matters to him and

and you know this Behavior links Lord

Henry to aestheticism All About Beauty

um beauty is of primary importance and

Hedonism about experiencing pleasure

regardless of whether it's moral or

immoral Lord Henry at this lunch he's

using a number of

aphorisms aphorisms what is an aphorism

it's an expression that holds some

general truth or some principle you know

like if the shoe fits wear it that kind

of thing so um Lord Henry is using a lot

of these aphorisms a p h o r i s

Ms and that ends chapter 3