Witticisms aka ||Possible new Away Messages||

1) In reality, we fight our own war of what the heart says and what the mind knows. Dreams are our refuge.

2) Forgiveness isn't freeing yourself from a grudge. It is letting the other person off the hook.

3) In life, you can’t steal second base with your foot on first.

4) In our lives, our hearts will keep beating, our blood will keep flowing, and our minds will keep thinking. Those who think different will always keep hating. But only one person matters, and to Him we keep praying.

5) Emotional pain is wisdom entering the body and mind.

6) One who is rich will never know satisfaction. But one who is poor is like one who is rich.

7) Luck is preparation mixed with oppurtunity.

8) Life is about appreciating memories, learning from the past, and realizing that people always change. And in the end, everyone turns out to be the person they swore they'd never become.

9) Pride is the one factor that makes the difference between damaging a relationship and deepening it.

10) From Jesus and Judas to Caesar and Brutus. From Martin to Malcolm, success was the outcome. But success is like suicide. If one succeeds, one is crucified.

Dorian Gray: Chapter 15 and 16

“Her feet are very pretty, but they are not feet of clay—white porcelain feet, if you like. They have been through the fire, and what fire does not destroy it hardens. She has had experiences” (186).

• Although this quote does not exactly add much to plot development, it is extremely enlightening to be told something you were already aware of. This passage explicates the idea of the common aphorism “what does not kill you, only makes you stronger”. Certain experiences are responsible for the strengthening of one’s maturity. The Duchess has gone through situations that have shaped her character, which was believed to be “out of the ordinary” according to how women were viewed at this time. Lord Henry states that she is, “too clever for a woman. She lacks the indefinable charm of weakness” (185). Lord Henry is not only stating his views and opinions about the common woman, but also articulating the stereotypical views that have developed over that time period.

“Ah! For that there was no atonement; but though forgiveness was impossible, forgetfulness was possible still, and he was determined to forget” (189).

• No matter how hard Dorian tried, he could not forget Basil’s murder. The portrait of Dorian certainly bore the affects of his sin; however, it did not rid him of the horrid memory of this event. There was certainly no expectation for receiving forgiveness because as we have learned through previous characters, one must grapple with the sin in order to obtain redemption. This displays how much Dorian has changed from his earlier belief: “There is a luxury in self-reproach…It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution” (100). It is evident that even with his portrait being a representation of his rotting soul, Dorian has no urge to seek forgiveness. Instead of striving to adhere to his thought of not being able to "bear the idea of [his] soul being hideous" (101), he simply suppresses the memory until it vanishes.
  
  

Definitions:

1) “‘Isn’t he incorrigible?’ cried Dorian, leaning forward in his chair” (183).

Incorrigible: (adj) bad beyond correction or reform

2) “There were opium-dens, where one could buy oblivion—dens of horror, where the memory of old sins could be destroyed by the madness of sins that were new” (189).

Opium: (noun) anything that causes dullness or inaction or that soothes the mind or emotions

Dorian Gray: Chapter 14

“A faint smile passed across his lips, as though he had been lost in some delightful dream. Yet he had not dreamed at all. His night had been untroubled by any images of pleasure or of pain. But youth smiles without any reason. It is one of its chiefest charms” (166).

• It is evident that despite the happenings of the preceding night, Dorian feels no remorse and awakes with a smile. He did not feel burdened by his wrongdoing, nor felt as though he was responsible for it. We see Dorian carry out his everyday life as normal. The portrait; however, must bear Dorian’s sin. Although Dorian remains physically young and beautiful, his portrait, once again, displays his horrid acts: “[there was] loathsome red dew that gleamed, wet and glistening, on the hands” (177). Dorian is apparently either impervious to sorrow or lacking a soul.
  

"It is impossible for you to refuse now. I tried to spare you. You will do me the justice to admit that. You were stern, harsh, and offensive. You treated me as no man has ever dared to treat me--no living man, at any rate. I bore it all. Now it is time for me to dictate terms" (175).

• Throughout his life, Dorian had always been wealthy, young, and admired. No one would ever speak badly about Dorian without feeling a hint of guilt for it. With the entrance of the new character Alan Campbell, this has changed. Campbell is not afraid of defending his views and expressing his thoughts on how horrible Dorian has become. We see this confirmed by Dorian’s lascivious nature. Instead of accepting “no” for answer, Dorian results in blackmailing Campbell. Dorian also references Basil when he states “no living man, at any rate” (175). There is a threatening undertone in this passage that not only gives reference to Basil’s death but also threatens Campbell’s life. Perhaps that is what the blackmail note contained. At any rate, Dorian has acquired a sense of cynical power and control that will only result terribly for him.

Definitions:

1) “In a few moments, Alan Campbell walked in, looking very stern and rather pale, his pallor being intensified by his coal-black hair and dark eyebrows” (171).

Pallor: (noun) unusual or extreme paleness, as from fear, ill health, or death; wanness

2) “He heaved a deep breath, opened the door a little wider, and with half-closed eyes and averted head, walked quickly in” (178).

Avert: (v) to turn away or aside

Dorian Gray: Chapter 12 and 13

“Sin is a thing that writes itself across a man’s face. It cannot be concealed. People talk sometimes of secret vices. There are no such things. If a wretched man has a vice, it shows itself in the lines of his mouth, the droop of his eyelids, the molding of his hands even” (153,154).

• Basil is correct in this statement. He expresses that we cannot hide our wrongdoing. In grappling with our sins, we are affected by the stress and age lines that accompany the struggle. There is no secrecy in sinning, which often creates a better means of obtaining absolution because the sin is seen by all; therefore, this encourages one to seek forgiveness quicker. However, this is clearly not the case with Dorian. Due to the fact that Dorian’s portrait held the “lines of his mouth, [and] the droop of his eyelids” (153), he did not have to grapple with his sins and simply hid them behind a curtain. In doing so, Dorian never had to search for redemption and his rotting soul became unable to be salvaged: “‘It is too late, Basil,’” (162).
  

“You are the one man in the world who is entitled to know everything about me. You have had more to do with my life than you think” (159).

• Basil is unaware of the negative impact the portrait has had on Dorian’s life. Through Dorian’s perception of the situation, he is basically blaming Basil. Since Basil was the painter of the portrait, Dorian sees Basil as responsible for making his life miserable: “the man that had painted the portrait that was the origin of all his shame was to be burdened for the rest of his life with the hideous memory of what he had done” (157). Was Basil really to blame for Dorian's misery? Could Dorian have prevented the outcome of such a horrid portrait? Dorian had the ability to repent for his sins and do good. However, he chose an evil route that only led to his mental and emotional breakdown.

Definitions:

1) “Did I teach the one his vices and the other his debauchery?” (155).

Debauchery: (noun) excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; intemperance

2) “ ‘You were to me such an ideal as I shall never meet again. This is the face of a satyr’” (161).

Satyr: (noun) a lascivious man; lecher

Dorian Gray: Chapter 11

“The more he knew, the more he desired to know. He had mad hungers that grew more ravenous as he fed them” (Wilde 132).

• Before meeting Lord Henry, Dorian had a childlike innocence to his nature. His optimistic view of the world was inspiring and he was not interested in questioning things around him. Upon Lord Henry’s arrival into Dorian life, Dorian changed drastically to the point where others began to notice: “You talk as if you had no heart, no pity in you. It is all Harry’s influence” (112). Lord Henry is responsible for instilling this malevolent yearning for knowledge within Dorian. When obtaining more knowledge, Dorian would begin to gain a better understanding of how to deceitfully go about living with his secret. The more he learned, the more he felt his ravenous desire increase; just as “everyone knows that the sexual appetite, like our other appetites, grows by indulgence” (Lewis 97).

"For these treasures, and everything that he collected in his lovely house, were to be to him means of forgetfulness, modes by which he could escape, for a season from the fear that seemed to him at times to be almost too great to be borne"(Wilde 143).

• Lord Henry gave Dorian a book that has caused him to become extremely obsessed with it. The book encouraged Dorian to take up hobbies in various things, completely devoting himself to each one. His hobbies included studying art, studying perfumes, dedicating himself to music, and studying jewels. By taking up new hobbies, Dorian could escape from the thought of the horrid portrait that displayed his rotting soul. However, these projects proved unsuccessful in distracting him. His sins and aging did not reflect on his face but he was forced to grapple with his wrongdoing regardless of his newfound hobbies because the portrait had become a part of him: “He hated to be separated from the picture that was such a part of his life” (144).

Definitions:

“Of the asceticism that deadens the senses, as of the vulgar profligacy that dulls them, it was to know nothing” (134).

Profligacy: (noun) shameless indifference to moral restraints


“Of such insolences and attempted slights he, of course, took no notice, and in the opinion of most people his frank, debonair manner… were in themselves a sufficient answer to the calumnies (for so they termed them) that were circulated about him” (145).

Calumny: (noun) a false and malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something

Dorian Gray: Chapter 9 and 10

“It is only shallow people who require years to get rid of an emotion. A man who is master of himself can end a sorrow easily as he can invent a pleasure” (112).

• Through this quote, we see once again, the influence that Lord Henry has had on Dorian. It is evident that Dorian does not really believe this because he then states, "I don't want to be at the mercy of my emotions" (112). He seems to be forcing Lord Henry's views on himself and pushing his genuine compassion aside, making him callous. I don't agree with this statement because mourning over occurrences should not be understood as being shallow especially because "shallow" brings a negative connotation to the feeling. No man can force himself to stop feeling a certain way, however, he is correct in the fact that one "can invent a pleasure" (112). Happiness can be found anywhere and in anything.

“Perhaps he had read it, and had begun to suspect something. And yet, what did it matter? What had Dorian Gray to do with Sibyl Vane’s death? There was nothing to fear. Dorian Gray had not killed her” (128).

• In this quote, we see guilt emerging in Dorian's conscience. If he truly was no longer affected by Sibyl's death, as he says he is, then he would not be angry when seeing the news of it on his desk or be worried if Victor may have seen it. This refutes his previous statement when he says, " What is done is done. What is past is past" (112). Apparently, it is not the past if he is continues to question and dwell on Sibyl's death. This quote narrates Dorian's inner thoughts and questions that forces the reader to conclude that Dorian's character has not been fully affected by Lord Henry's influence.

Definitions:

“She lingered for a few moments, and was garrulous over some detail of the household” (122).

Garrulous: (adj) excessively talkative in a rambling, roundabout manner, esp. about trivial matters

“The mere cadence of the sentences, the subtle monotony of their music, so full at it was of complex refrains and movements elaborately repeated” (129).

Cadence: (noun) rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words

Dorian Gray: Chapter 8

“There is a luxury in self-reproach. When we blame ourselves we feel that no one else has the right to blame us. It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution” (100).

• Dorian feels contrite for how badly he treated Sibyl, so he goes about his search for forgiveness by writing a heartfelt letter to her. Dorian expresses that by doing so, he is recognizing his sin and is already forgiven. Through this quote Dorian articulates a thought/feeling that we have all had at one point. When we come to terms with our wrongdoing, we have the feeling that, because we have recognized our sin, no one else has the right to accuse us. In other words, because we have repented, there is no need for further judgment. This passage also relates to other characters we have come across, such as Proctor and Dimmesdale. Both went through struggles and hardships before coming to the understanding of where exactly absolution can be found, wheras Dorian immediately knew how to obtain forgivness.

“To you at least she was always a dream, a phantom that flitted through Shakespeare’s plays and left them lovelier for its presence… The moment she touched actual life, she marred it, and it marred her, and so she passed away” (107).

• What we previously spoke about in class is confirmed by this passage. Dorian fell in love with Sibyl’s talent in acting out the roles of extremely romantic women in history. Sibyl was always perfect and romantic because Imogen, Desdemona, and Juliet were all perfect and romantic. Dorian had not seen Sibyl in a genuine state, just her persona. He fell in love with the idea of being in love but was stabbed by reality after witnessing a glimpse of the real Sibyl. The instant “she touched actual life” (107) she died, just as Dorian's love for her died.
  

Definitions:

“Was there some subtle affinity between the chemical atoms, that shaped themselves into form and color on the canvas, and the soul that was within him?” (99).

Affinity: (noun) a natural liking for or attraction to a person, thing, idea, etc

“Did it merely take cognizance of what passed within the soul?" (109).

Cognizance: (noun) awareness, realization, or knowledge; notice; perception

Dorian Gray: Chapter 7

"You used to stir my imagination. Now you don't even stir my curiosity. You simply produce no effect. I loved you because you were marvelous, because you had genius and intellect, because you realized the dreams of great poets and gave shape and substance to the shadows of art. You have thrown it all away. You are shallow and stupid. My God! how mad I was to love you! What a fool I have been! You are nothing to me now. I will never see you again." (91)

• This quote reveals Dorian’s true feelings for Sibyl. He was not in love with her, as he had previously made known. He was simply in love with her stage character. Dorian had become utterly obsessed with her artistic background and found happiness through watching her graceful and charming performances. Without her wonderful performances and her ability to “mimic a passion” (91), Dorian has no reason to love Sibyl and is no longer drawn to her. This relationship is in direct correlation with the relationship between Basil and Dorian. Basil had simply wanted Dorian to be a “sitter” for his own artistic benefit. Basil became infatuated with Dorian’s ability to be painted but not exactly for his own character. It is true when Dorian expresses that once he grows old, Basil will no longer be drawn to him because all the beauty and youthfulness Dorian once had will disappear.

“It held the secret of his life, and told his story. It had taught him to love his own beauty. Would it teach him to loathe his own soul? Would he ever look at it again?" (95).

• Youth and beauty is the secret of life that is present in the portrait. Lord Henry helped Dorian come to the understanding that his youth and beauty should be cherished because it can slip away quickly; however, the painting captured his current beauty, which would be ever-present. To his surprise, the painting that had once “taught him to love his own soul” (95) had lines of age. It was now “the visible emblem of [his] conscience” (96). The portrait was aging, showing Dorian his wrongdoing and evidently encouraging him to do good. The painting forces him to face his ugly inner sinful acts while he remains physically beautiful.

Definitions:

The air was heavy with the perfume of the flowers, and their beauty seemed to bring him an anodyne for his pain” (93).

Anodyne: (noun) a medicine that relieves or allays pain

The fresh morning air seemed to drive away all his sombre passions” (96).

Sombre (somber): (adjective) gloomily dark; shadowy; dimly lighted

Dorian Gray: Chapter 5 and 6

“When I am with her, I regret all that you have taught me. I become different from what you have known me to be. I am changed, and the mere touch of Sibyl Vane’s hand makes me forget you and all your wrong, fascinating, poisonous, delightful theories” (82).

• In this quote, Dorian expresses his feelings when he is in Sibyl’s presence. Instead of being under Lord Henry’s influence, he feels as though Sibyl has a different affect on him. Sibyl brings a whole new perspective of life to Dorian and he becomes a different person. Does this mean that Dorian is not naïve, but instead purposely willing to be influenced? All the theories and sayings of Lord Henry that had seeped into Dorian’s mind take on new meanings when he is with Sibyl. Everything he had once been taught becomes irrational while anything new from Sibyl, we can assume, is seen as the gospel truth. In this quote, we can also see Dorian’s character as being easily influenced, not only by intellect and the power of words but also by strong emotions and love.

“Pleasure is Nature’s test, her sign of approval. When we are happy we are always good, but when we are good we are not always happy” (82).

• Lord Henry expresses that those who are happy do good things, but those who are good are not always happy. However, what determines “good”? One’s good could be extremely detrimental to another’s well being. And if so, could that be considered as bad? Lord Henry describes being good as being “in harmony with one’s self” (82). However, if being in harmony with oneself is makes a person in discord with others, can that really be good? In a general understanding of Lord Henry’s statement, one can come to the conclusion that Lord Henry is attempting to portray the fact that, when we are good which could mean following set rules, a person is not exactly happy because they may feel a type of restriction on their lives.

Definitions:

“You pain me, my son. I trust you will return from Australia in a position of affluence” (66).

Affluence: (n) abundance of money, property, and other material goods; riches; wealth

“Leaden with fear, his mother watched him” (74).

Leaden: (adj) inertly heavy like lead; hard to lift or move