Dorian Gray Chapter 4 – Discussion

Summary

In Chapter 4 of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' Lord Henry's influence over Dorian becomes more pronounced, as he molds Dorian into a physical embodiment of his own ideals. Dorian, under Henry's guidance, pursues new experiences and sensations, leading to a swift engagement with actress Sibyl Vane. Despite his earlier reluctance to marry, Dorian's transformation under Henry's 'artistic' influence is complete, as he embraces superficiality and the pursuit of aesthetic pleasure, with little regard for true character or depth.

Takeaways

• 🎭 Lord Henry considers himself an artist, using his charm and wit to shape Dorian Gray, much like a sculptor uses a chisel.
• 🖌️ The idea of life and art being interchangeable is a central theme, with Lord Henry molding Dorian as his art piece, reflecting his own vanity and desire for influence.
• 👰 Dorian's engagement to Sibyl Vane is influenced by Lord Henry's views, showing Dorian's susceptibility to Lord Henry's persuasive charm and ideas.
• 🔄 Dorian's transformation from a shy, innocent individual to someone seeking new experiences and sensations is largely a result of Lord Henry's influence.
• 💔 The impact of Lord Henry's philosophy on Dorian's relationships is evident, as Dorian distances himself from Basil, who offers good advice that contradicts Lord Henry's views.
• 👩‍❤️‍👨 Dorian's infatuation with Sibyl is superficial, focusing on her appearance and stage presence rather than her true character, highlighting the theme of aestheticism.
• 🤔 The script raises questions about the nature of love and commitment, as Dorian quickly moves from denying the possibility of marriage to being engaged, influenced by Lord Henry's cynical views on relationships.
• 📜 The use of aphorisms and epigrams by Lord Henry to express his views on life, art, and relationships is a key stylistic feature of the novel, emphasizing his wit and the power of his words.
• 🧐 Lord Henry's pleasure in observing Dorian's changes and his disregard for the consequences of his influence reveal a lack of empathy and a self-centered perspective on life.
• 🚫 The script suggests that Lord Henry's views are not only superficial but also potentially harmful, as they encourage Dorian to pursue experiences without considering the moral implications.
• 📚 The contrast between the characters' appreciation of art and life experiences, and their understanding of love and relationships, provides a critique of the aesthetic movement and its potential pitfalls.

Q & A

How does Lord Henry view himself in relation to art in Chapter 4 of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'?

Lord Henry considers himself to be an artist or a sculptor in the metaphorical sense, using his charm, wit, and influence to shape Dorian Gray, turning him into a more physically attractive version of himself, as if Dorian were a piece of art.

What does Lord Henry believe he is achieving by molding Dorian Gray?

Lord Henry believes he is countering the effects of an age that he perceives as limited and vulgar by molding Dorian into a marvelous type of boy. He sees this as his form of art and hopes to take his place among the artistic masters like Michelangelo.

How does Lady Henry recognize Dorian Gray when she first encounters him?

Lady Henry recognizes Dorian Gray through his photographs, of which her husband, Lord Henry, has collected 17, and by having seen him with her husband at the Opera.

What does Dorian Gray's engagement to Sibyl Vane signify about his character development?

Dorian Gray's sudden engagement to Sibyl Vane signifies a significant change in his character, as he initially claimed he would never marry. This shows the influence of Lord Henry's views on Dorian and his growing desire for new experiences.

What is the difference between an aphorism and an epigram as discussed in the script?

An aphorism is a short, clever saying intended to express a general truth, while an epigram is a witty, clever expression or remark, often put in a humorous way. Aphorisms aim to explain truths, whereas epigrams aim to sound clever.

How does Lord Henry's view on marriage reflect his character?

Lord Henry's view on marriage as something not to be entered into lightly, due to his belief that men and women are disappointed by it, reflects his cynical and superficial nature, valuing appearance and wit over deeper connections.

What does Dorian Gray's infatuation with Sibyl Vane reveal about his changing values?

Dorian Gray's infatuation with Sibyl Vane, based primarily on her appearance and the roles she plays on stage, reveals that his values are shifting towards aestheticism and superficial judgments under Lord Henry's influence.

How does Lord Henry's attitude towards women in Chapter 4 reflect his misogyny?

Lord Henry's attitude towards women is revealed as misogynistic through his comments that women are decorative and have nothing to say but say it charmingly. He also dismisses the idea of loyalty and fidelity in relationships as a lack of imagination.

What does the phrase 'premature' signify in the context of Dorian Gray's transformation under Lord Henry's influence?

The term 'premature' signifies that Dorian Gray has been exposed to experiences and influences that he might not have encountered at his age or stage of life, leading to an unnatural and potentially harmful development of his character.

How does Lord Henry's pleasure in watching Dorian change reflect his lack of empathy?

Lord Henry's pleasure in watching Dorian change, regardless of the outcome, shows a lack of empathy and concern for Dorian's well-being. He views Dorian's life as an experiment and takes pleasure in the process without considering the potential negative consequences.

What is the significance of Sibyl Vane referring to Dorian Gray as 'Prince Charming'?

The significance of Sibyl Vane referring to Dorian as 'Prince Charming' is that it creates a persona for Dorian that is separate from his true identity. This persona becomes important later in the novel when it is used to disguise his true identity, especially in the opium den scene.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Lord Henry's Artistic Influence on Dorian Gray

In this paragraph, we see Lord Henry treating life as his art, using his charm and wit to shape Dorian Gray into his vision of perfection. He views his influence over Dorian as a form of art, aiming to counteract the vulgarity of his own age. The paragraph highlights Lord Henry's belief that life and art are interchangeable, and his desire to mold Dorian into a living masterpiece. It also introduces the idea that Lord Henry's influence is so strong that Dorian is willing to follow his advice, even to the point of engaging in immoral actions.

05:02

💍 Dorian's Engagement and Lord Henry's Misogyny

This paragraph delves into Dorian's sudden engagement to Sibyl Vane, a woman he barely knows, and Lord Henry's continued influence over him. It showcases Lord Henry's misogynistic views, where he devalues women as either geniuses or decorative objects. Dorian's infatuation with Sibyl is portrayed as a superficial attraction based on her appearance and talent as an actress, rather than a deep understanding of her character. The paragraph also reveals Dorian's internal conflict, as he admits that Lord Henry's views terrify him, yet he continues to be swayed by them.

10:02

🌆 Dorian's Descent into London's Underbelly

The narrative follows Dorian's journey into the grimy and immoral parts of London, driven by his desire for new sensations and experiences, as encouraged by Lord Henry. This paragraph emphasizes the danger and allure of the city's darker side, and how Dorian's pursuit of aesthetic pleasure leads him to disregard the moral implications of his actions. It also highlights the stark contrast between Dorian's initial innocence and his current state of moral decay, influenced by Lord Henry's teachings.

15:04

💔 The Consequences of Lord Henry's Manipulation

In the final paragraph, the consequences of Lord Henry's manipulation become apparent. Dorian's transformation from a shy, innocent individual to a man obsessed with new experiences and sensations is complete. The paragraph reflects on the loss of Dorian's former self and the impact of Lord Henry's influence on his relationships, particularly with Basil, who is now excluded from Dorian's life. It also touches on the theme of superficial love, as Dorian's engagement to Sibyl is based on appearance and performance rather than genuine connection.

Keywords

💡Aestheticism

Aestheticism is an artistic and philosophical movement that values beauty as the highest standard of art. In the video's context, it is the guiding principle of Lord Henry, who influences Dorian Gray to pursue beauty and pleasure above all else. This is evident in Lord Henry's views on life and art being interchangeable and his shaping of Dorian into a more attractive version of himself.

💡Influence

Influence refers to the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. In the script, Lord Henry's influence on Dorian is profound, as he molds Dorian's views on life, art, and morality. Dorian admits to being influenced by Lord Henry's aphorisms and epigrammatic sayings, which lead him to embrace new experiences and sensations.

💡Misogyny

Misogyny is the hatred, contempt, or prejudice against women or girls. The script highlights Lord Henry's misogyny through his remarks about women being decorative and having nothing to say, but saying it charmingly. His views are internalized by Dorian, further illustrating the extent of his influence on Dorian's perception of women.

💡Superficiality

Superficiality is the quality of being concerned only with surface aspects or appearance. The script discusses superficiality in relation to Lord Henry's and Dorian's focus on physical beauty and appearance, rather than personality or moral character. This is seen in Dorian's attraction to Sibyl Vane primarily based on her looks and his engagement to her despite not knowing her true character.

💡Aphorism

An aphorism is a concise statement expressing a general truth. In the video, Lord Henry frequently uses aphorisms to articulate his views on life, art, and morality. Dorian takes these aphorisms to heart, applying them to his own life and experiences, which shapes his actions and decisions throughout the novel.

💡Epigram

An epigram is a witty or clever saying, often with a humorous or satirical edge. The script contrasts aphorisms with epigrams, noting that while aphorisms aim to express general truths, epigrams are more about sounding clever. Lord Henry's use of both aphorisms and epigrams contributes to his charm and the influence he has over Dorian.

💡Sensations

Sensations refer to feelings or experiences that are strongly felt or perceived. In the context of the video, Dorian's pursuit of new sensations is driven by Lord Henry's teachings, leading him to seek out intense and potentially dangerous experiences. This pursuit is a central theme in the novel, as it leads Dorian down a path of moral decay.

💡Engagement

Engagement typically refers to a formal agreement to marry. In the script, Dorian's sudden engagement to Sibyl Vane is a pivotal moment that demonstrates the extent of his transformation under Lord Henry's influence. It also highlights the superficial nature of his feelings, as he does not truly know Sibyl beyond her stage persona.

💡Character

Character refers to the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. The script emphasizes the importance of character in contrast to appearance, particularly in the discussions about Sibyl Vane. Dorian's failure to recognize the value of character over appearance leads to his misguided engagement and moral downfall.

💡Transformation

Transformation is the process of changing from one form or appearance to another. In the video, Dorian Gray undergoes a transformation, not only in his physical appearance but also in his moral and ethical beliefs, largely due to Lord Henry's influence. This transformation is a central theme of the novel, exploring the consequences of prioritizing aestheticism over moral integrity.

Highlights

Lord Henry views himself as an artist, using his charm and influence to shape Dorian Gray.

Life and art are interchangeable in Lord Henry's mind, as he molds Dorian into a more attractive version of himself.

Lady Henry recognizes that her husband's friends, including Dorian, are influenced by Lord Henry's views.

Lord Henry's obsession with Dorian is evident through the numerous photographs he has of him.

Dorian is influenced by Lord Henry's views on marriage and relationships, leading to his engagement to Sibyl Vane.

Dorian's engagement contradicts his earlier statement of not intending to marry.

Aphorisms and epigrams are used by Lord Henry to express general truths and clever remarks, respectively.

Lord Henry's misogynistic views are highlighted through his comments on women being decorative but not geniuses.

Dorian's infatuation with Sibyl Vane is based on her appearance and the characters she plays, not her true personality.

Lord Henry's influence on Dorian is acknowledged by Dorian himself, who admits to putting Lord Henry's advice into practice.

Dorian's sudden love for Sibyl is seen as a psychological phenomenon by Lord Henry, driven by a desire for new experiences.

Lord Henry takes pleasure in watching Dorian change, regardless of the outcome of his life.

Dorian's transformation is largely a result of Lord Henry's influence, making Dorian his own creation.

Basil Hallward's absence from Dorian's life signifies the loss of a potentially positive influence and friend.

Dorian's engagement to Sibyl Vane is revealed through a telegram, showcasing his rapid change in perspective on marriage.

Transcripts

looking at chapter 4 of The Picture of

Dorian Gray um so we're at this point

now where we can see Lord Henry

considers himself to be an artist um or

a sculptor in the sense that he's using

his charm and his wit and his influence

almost metaphorically as as the

paintbrush or as the Chisel um he wants

to shape Dorian to turn him into a more

physically attractive version of himself

or sees him as an experiment in that um

he wants to make Dorian as if a piece of

art um to do things that maybe he

wouldn't do himself just to see as some

wild experiment so Lord Henry is wanting

his art which is Dorian to reveal the

artist which is himself okay which of

course goes against the first line of

the preface

so just refer back to the preface there

um and you'll see what Oscar wild says

there in Lord Henry's mind life and art

are not only uh connected but they're

interchangeable so by molding Dorian

into this marvelous type of boy he

believes that he's countering the

effects of an age so limited and vulgar

as his own so Lord Henry considers that

he's going to you know take his place

among the artistic Masters such as

Michelangelo by having Dorian as his

artwork quite a bit to discuss in

chapter 4 it's a month later and Dorian

is waiting at Lord Henry's place for

Lord Henry to arrive and then he thinks

Lord Henry arrives but it's actually um

his his wife Lord Henry's wife and uh

the the words of Victoria Lord Henry's

wife also sometimes known as lady Henry

Dorian um is you thought it was my

husband it is only his wife so that

tells me that uh she recognizes

that her husband treats her badly and

that she doesn't have the same value or

that um it's she's a disappointment to

Dorian because she knows that Lord

Henry's friends all want to see Lord

Henry not necessar his wife but anyway

um page 55 she says I know you quite

well by your photographs I think my

husband has got 17 of them that's a

little bit weird um but that just shows

how obsessed Lord Henry is with Dorian

and the second reason how she recognizes

Dorian is that she says I saw you with

my husband the other night at the Opera

lady Henry also says Ah that is one of

Harry's views isn't it um I always hear

Harry's views from his friends and what

she's referring to is about talking

during music and if you hear bad music

Dorian says You must drown it in

conversation and all that but what is

important there is to note that Dorian

isn't the first or the last to be

influenced by Lord Henry's views and his

wife recognizes that and says oh I know

a lot of the friends uh speak like Lord

Henry because he is so witty and clever

with his uh with his sayings and then

Lord Henry arrives and uh the wife

leaves page 56 Lord Henry says never

marry a woman with straw colored hair

and you think to yourself well that's

very vain you know um again and it's all

about appearance that's very superficial

isn't it how can you say something like

that where's the personality there never

marry at all Darian he goes on men marry

because they are tired women because

they are curious both are

disappointed Darian says I don't think I

am likely to Marry Harry which is not

true because by the end of the chapter

he's engaged so when basil said earlier

in the novel to Lord Henry you change

too much Lord Henry you change too much

we can see now that Dorian is actually

also going to be changing a lot because

he's going to change his ideas and his

viewpoints throughout the novel but

specifically here he says that no he

doesn't think he'll ever get married and

then suddenly yes he is getting married

he's getting engaged to Cil

vein I am too much in love what what

type of nonsense is that that is one of

your aphorisms I mentioned at the end of

chapter 3 about aphorism and I've put it

here as a definition as well um an

aphorism is a short clever saying that

is intended to express some general

truth how that differs to an epigram is

that an epigram is usually some witty

clever uh expression or remark that's

put in like a funny humorous way okay so

an aphorism is more like trying to

explain truth whereas an epigram is more

like just trying to sound

clever okay and Lord Henry makes use of

both this line I put in pink here is

important because Dorian recognizes I am

putting it into practice as I do

everything that you say so not only do

we see the the incredible influence that

Lord Henry has over Dorian not only does

Lord Henry recognize that he has that

influence over Dorian but Dorian himself

recognizes it and us as the reader

knowing that Doran is doing that and we

know of all the terrible things that

some or the bad advice and negative

advice that that

um or the immoral advice often that Lord

Henry says to Dorian and Dorian is

putting into practice everything that

Lord Henry says that's not good page 57

it's all about Dorian telling Lord Henry

how he met how Dorian tells Lord Henry

about siil ve oh yes a description of of

Cil vain um and also Lord Henry talks

about the difference between plain woman

being useful and other pretty women

being charming and all that

um and then also on page 57 Lord Henry

says my dear boy notice how he still

calls him my dear boy even though

earlier on in the novel I think it was

chapter 2 Darian said and I don't allow

people to call me

boy um but here Lord Henry couldn't give

a damn about that it keeps calling him

boy no woman is a genius woman or a

decorative sex yes how can you say that

that is quite misogynistic isn't it

almost like a hatred for women he's you

know Lord Henry is a misogynist they

never have anything to say but they say

it charmingly so that just gives me

Insight again into the type of character

that Lord Henry is and there's that bank

of information and those descriptions

that we building up over time um and how

he views women

uh page 57 Dorian says Ah Harry your

views terrify me okay yes they are quite

terrifying then uh we we learn about

that Dorian met siil ban 3 weeks ago um

at the theater and it was the third

night um after viewing her on stage that

Dorian actually went to go meet Cil page

58 Dorian uh meeting syil never would

have happened if I had not met you Lord

Henry well that's true you fill me with

a wild desire to know everything about

life blah blah blah I had a passion for

Sensations so the whole reason why

Dorian Gray went into that sorted ugly

grimy immoral area of London um was

because Lord Henry had told him you know

you must search for every sensation and

every experience and so Dorian

recognizes that and says well well you

know what I have the wild passion for

Sensations I felt that this gray

monstrous London of ours with its Myriad

many people its sworded sinners now

sorted can physically mean dirty and

squalled and shabby and grimy ugly or

sorted as an adjective can also mean you

know it involves immoral actions and or

motives

um it sorted Sinners and it splended

sins it's almost like an oxymoron there

sins being you know

not good and to put it mildly and

Splendid being fantastic so it Splendid

sins as you once phrased it so that

again reiterates that Dorian is

absorbing everything that Lord Henry

says and that's not a good idea must

have something in store for me the mere

danger gave me a sense of

delight uh it shouldn't be giving you a

sense of delight um dodgy areas of town

or or sorted areas and and experiences

and the possible danger that you can get

into should be pushing you away it

should not be attractive to you at

all page 59 Lord Henry says my dear boy

there's the boy again down condescending

downplaying uh almost belittling um the

people who love only once in their lives

are really the shallow people what they

call their loyalty and their Fidelity

are call lack of imagination

that's wrong people shouldn't um be

going around cheating on their wives and

multiple relationships and being

unfaithful and stuff I wouldn't call

that uh you know I wouldn't call being

truthful and honest and loyal to your

wife or your partner as lacking

imagination so definitely disagree with

that page 60 Dorian says that uh the

first play that he went to go and watch

at this horrible theater that this

monstrous Jew invited him into to watch

was Romeo and Juliet and then the

description of the place just you know

links into the sorted nature of it all

The Wretched ho of place there was a

dreadful Orchestra Romeo a short Old

Gentleman um but Juliet Harry imagine a

girl hardly 17 years of age with a

little flower like face notice I've put

in pink it's all description it's all

about how she looks all right all about

appearance um dark brown hair eyes that

were Violet Wells of passion lips that

were like the Petals of a rose she was

the loveliest thing I'd ever seen in my

life and so nowhere is there any mention

about her character or her personality

okay your voice and the voice of siil

veins are two things that I shall never

forget well that's probably true he's

never going to forget the voice of Lord

Henry because he's absorbing everything

and taking everything literally

and putting it into practice Cil Vain's

voice well I don't know that's debatable

but let's see as we go along in the

novel um just as a sort of sideline joke

there I said that Darian should read

Sonet 13 where where Shakespeare says

that all these famous well-known typical

descriptions that are unreal and

unrealistic um of one's lover are

ridiculous and not a true reflection of

what they look like so this is very

poetic that Dorian is talking about here

but again as I say it's all about

aestheticism and appearance and Lord

Henry has made Dorian appreciate and

enjoy his appearance so much his own

appearance so much so of course he's

going to uh regard it highly in other

people page 61 Lord Henry says you could

not have helped telling me Dorian all

through your life you will tell me

everything that you do there again

Insight Lord Henry knows the power he

has over Dorian um you will tell me

everything that you do not really true

though because uh Dorian doesn't tell

him about the painting changing and he

doesn't tell him about other things that

he does uh don't want to give any

spoilers away but other cruel acts that

he does um in the novel later on in the

story Dorian says you have a curious

influence over me if I ever did a crime

I would come and confess it to you you

would understand me not true because

when Dorian later does do a crime he

does not tell Lord Henry Lord Henry says

people like you don't commit crimes

Dorian what do you mean people like you

the fact that you're good-looking cuz

what else could Lord Henry be talking

about page 62 to 63 is all about how

Darian met Cil on the third night you

can all go read about that um page 63

though um towards the bottom of the page

Cil says after

the um the Jew old Jew they refer to um

kept calling Dorian Gray my Lord all the

time Cil says no you look more like a

prince I must call you Darian Prince

Charming and as I've said there that

becomes very important later on very

very important because James vain Only

Knows Dorian as as Prince Charming he

doesn't know that his real name is

actually Dorian Gray and

uh much later on in the novel when

Darian is in an opium den uh there's a

lady there that says oh yeah but you're

known as Prince Charming aren't you so

take note of that um page 64 Dorian says

I get hungry for cil's presence and when

I think of the wonderful soul that is

hidden away in that little Ivory body

I'm filled with

okay first of all appearance Ivory body

but secondly of all what are you talking

about wonderful Soul what do you know of

her soul all you ever know of Cil ban is

the character that she's playing on

stage whether it's Juliet or Rosland or

whatever it is so you have actually no

idea about the personality of Cil vain

so he's talking nonsense Lord Henry asks

a very pertinent question when is she

Cil Vain and Doran replies never and

that's true and so Lord Henry is saying

but hang on what do you actually know of

this woman and Darian admits well she's

never siil vain she's always some other

character so again how can you get

engaged to somebody you don't even know

what she's like page 65 Lord Henry

watched Dorian with a subtle sense of

pleasure how different he was now from

the shy frightened boy he had met in

Basel hallwood studio so Lord Henry is

lapping up he's enjoying he's finding

pleasure in watching Dorian change now

Dorian may have been shy and frightened

in basil hwood Studio but let's not

attach negative connotations to those

words um he was probably a lot more

innocent and

levelheaded and uh better off than he is

now and so when basil said that uh he

was staying with the real Dorian looking

at the painting um that was the real

Dorian initially and now poor basil has

been left out we haven't even heard of

Basil you know a month later and uh Lord

Henry and Dorian are spending time

together poor old basil who Dorian was

his close friend and we know who's

infatuated with Doran is completely out

of the picture and that's a Pity because

basil has the only chance of saving

Dorian from Lord Henry's influence dear

basil I have not laid eyes on him for a

week haven't seen him for a week I don't

want to see him

alone he says things that annoy me he

gives me good advice yes basil does give

you good advice so why is that annoying

it shouldn't be annoying but it is

annoying because for Dorian it goes

against his theories Lord Henry's

theories and his ideas of the world and

his desire and hunger to have New

Sensations and experience life fully

Basel would go against that and

therefore to Dorian that is

annoying page 67 to a large extent the

lad Dorian was his own Lord Henry's own

creation he had made Dorian premature

which you know his own creation links

into what I said at the start of the

video he has exposed Dorian to things

that Dorian would not have been exposed

to until much later or even ever so the

premature part um and that's not a good

thing page 68 it was delightful to watch

him so as I said Lord Henry is finding

immense pleasure in watching Dorian but

what's scary is that it was no matter

how it all ended or was destined to end

so to Lord Henry's Viewpoint it doesn't

matter how dorian's life ends you know

it doesn't matter what happens to Dorian

if he crumbles he has this trag

downfall Lord Henry it doesn't matter to

him because it's not his life it's

somebody else's life and he has no sense

of guilt or shame in affecting somebody

negatively and seeing their life crumble

which it will okay so again what kind of

man is Lord Henry page 69 Dorian Gray

was a subject made to Lord Henry's hand

he again Lord Henry being the artist

here sculpting Dorian his sudden

dorian's sudden mad love for syil was a

psychological

phenomenon the desire for new

experiences so he's like he's Lord

Henry's probably thinking you know this

whole thing about this infatuation with

Cil vean is silly um Lord Henry knows

that it's not really true love um

because it's only been 3 weeks and and

that Dorian doesn't even know sub Ban's

character he only knows the actresses

and the characters that she sorry that's

conf confusing Lord Henry knows that

Dorian doesn't even know anything about

Cil Vain's personality her actual nature

owning the characters that she plays on

stage but Lord Henry doesn't say

anything to Dorian about you know he

doesn't share that information or that

Insight he doesn't say I think this is a

bad idea I don't think you should get

engaged uh you don't know the girl very

well he's just happy to sit and observe

it and see H this is a very

psychologically interesting experiment

that's going on here end of the chapter

Lord Henry reads a telegram from Dorian

stating that he's engaged to be married

to Cil vain which goes against the oh I

don't think Lord Henry I'm ever going to

get married so changed very very quickly

and that ends chapter 4