The Picture of Dorian Gray: chapter 3

1. Who does Lord Henry visit at the beginning of the chapter and why?

He visits his uncle to learn about Dorian's background.

2. What does he learn?

That his mother was from a good home and caused a scandal by marrying below her rank. His father was killed in a duel, possibly at his mother’s father’s request. His mother also died young. He was then raised by his grandfather, Lord Kelso, whose heir he is.

3. “There was something terribly enthralling in the exercise of influence.” (page 45)

What sentence from chapter 2 does this echo? Comment.

“All influence is immoral.” We can deduce that Lord Henry does not stop at moral scruples. The sheer immorality may indeed be attractive to him.

4. “Yes; he would try to be to Dorian Gray what, without knowing it, the lad was to the painter who had fashioned the wonderful portrait.” What is the meaning of this sentence?

Dorian has been an inspiration to Basil. Lord Henry wants Dorian to become specially attached to him and he would like to mould Dorian’s personality.

5. Find examples of Lord Henry’s cynicism in the discussion at his aunt Agatha’s.

“I can sympathize with everything, except suffering.”

“I don’t deisre to change anything in England except the weather.”

6. Find examples of Lord Henry’s paradoxes.

“I can sympathize with everything, except suffering.”

“The only thing one never regrets are one’s mistakes.”

7. What is the East End?

A working-class neighbourhood of London, known for its squalor and even dangerousness.

8. What is Whitechapel?

Another neighbourhood of London.

9. Is Lord Henry successful in his endeavour (see question 4)? Justify.

Yes: Dorian breaks his promise to see Basil to be with Lord Henry.

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