Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Discussion 2: Setting
The Picture of Dorian Gray is set in 19th Century England. The first major setting is Basil's home where the painting of Dorian was created. The home is "...filled with the rich odour of roses..." and seems to be naturally lit (Wilde 19). The door is left open to bring in fresh air as well. Overall, the total opposite of a typical gothic novel. However, Lord Henry's distasteful words and everyone's shifting moods make for a darker atmosphere.
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The setting does change to a darker atmosphere later on in the book such as when it later describes the room that Dorian and Basil are in, "... as it had not been lived in for years. A faded Flemish tapestry, a curtained picture, an old Italian cassone, and an almost empty book-case... he saw the whole place covered in dust and that the carpet was in holes. A mouse ran scuffling behind the wainscoting. There was a damp odour of mildew." (Wilde 167).
ReplyDeleteIt also grew darker after Sibyl Vane's suicide. Dorian had planned on taking her hand in matrimony and wasn't aware of her death. Lord Henry read the note he had written to Dorian which led to an out break of emotion, "Harry! Harry! It is terrible..." This is also a point in the novel that Dorian grows colder as a person (Wilde 113).
ReplyDeleteThe setting grew darker later on in the book. This change from light to dark occurred in the setting because Dorian Gray changed from a virtuous, and kind man and into an evil, and cruel man. As Dorian became even more immersed in his evil ways, the setting changed and darkened.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like the setting almost is like the portrait due to the fact that it changes from a lighter toned setting to a darker, more evil one as Dorian becomes more evil. This is the same change that the portrait goes through as the story progresses and Dorian commits more and more sins.
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