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Omar Khan
Ms. Gardner
29 October 2014
English 10 Period 4
The Pictures of Dorian Gray

Fox, Paul. "Identity in The Picture of Dorian Gray." McClinton-Temple, Jennifer ed.
Encyclopedia of Themes in Literature. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2011.Bloom's
Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 16 Nov. 2014

Paul Foxs article Identity in The Picture of Dorian Gray has a unique perspective of
Dorians motives, that provide the reader with insightful facts that will help them to
deduce their own standpoint. Fox begins the article with a quote by Oscar Wilde, that
states that man was a being with myriad lives and myriad sensations,. He argues that
identity was the main theme of the novel. Fox uses many references from the novel to
illustrate this claim, and successfully persuades the reader in the end with expert syntax.

Fox uses sophisticated diction, and structured analysis to strengthen his claim that
identity played a huge role in Dorians life. This article addresses various, well chosen
instances where identity led Dorian to commit some sort of malpractice. This literary
work is extremely useful to the reader, because its enlightening commentary on the The
Picture of Dorian Gray identifies an overarching theme of identity throughout the novel.

Fox, Paul. "Nature in The Picture of Dorian Gray." McClinton-Temple, Jennifer

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ed.Encyclopedia of Themes in Literature. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2011. Bloom's
Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 16 Nov. 2014

Fox argues that nature is the predominating theme in The Picture of Dorian Gray, and
provides the reader with textual evidence. Fox claims that Basil represented a natural
view of the world and Lord Henry represented an artistic view of the world; despite the
fact that Basil was the artist. Fox also states that Dorian stopped loving Sybil, because
she stopped performing, an artistic action, and started loving, a natural action, leaving
Fox to prove that Dorian was an aesthete. Fox seems to have many interpretations of the
novel, as he is the author of the previous article as well, and they are all distinctively
unique.

Foxs claims are supported with meager evidence, making it seem as if the theme is
simply an observance, and does not actually provide any meaning to the novel. The
article undoubtedly has an interesting perspective on the novel with enough potential to
persuade readers that there is a theme of nature, it lacks key evidence to support it.
Although the article lacks evidence, it creates a template that the reader can provide their
own evidence to further their understanding of the novel.

Gaydosik, Victoria. "Wilde, Oscar." Facts On File Companion to the British Novel: 20th
Century, vol. 2. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literature. Facts On File,
Inc. Web. 14 Nov. 2014

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This article, written by Victoria Gaydosik, offers a concise summary of the life of Oscar
Wilde, and highlights the important role that his homosexuality played. It advocates the
brutality he received because he indulged in homosexual acts, and the misery he drowned
in. He received two years of hard labour, and his wife and kids fled with fear. In the early
years of Wildes life he pampered himself with luxuries, but his homosexuality was his
ultimate downfall.

Gaydosik, unlike Snodgrass, takes a stand on Oscar Wildes life; that his homosexuality
led him from a recognized noble, to a shameless villain. It also underlines the cruelty that
even a noble would receive for being homosexual. This article provides background
information of Dorians time period, that the reader can use to infer certain things. For
example, some of the characters display slight homosexual affections, yet they do not
outwardly demonstrate them, possibly because they know of the punishment they must
face.

Hawthorne, Julian. "The Romance of the Impossible." Lippincott's Monthly Magazine

Julian Hawthornes article claims that the novel is relatable for many people and praises
Wilde for his extensive plot. He uses a variety of syntax that aid in expressing this point,
and gives an unbiased synapses of the novel. She identifies the various types of readers

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that would be satisfied with the novel, and gives slight analyses of some main characters.
Hawthornes critique is a pleasant blend of facts, comments, and analysis.

The author successfully identifies the many strengths of the novel, and the few
weaknesses as well. The author politely criticizes the clich of Henry Wottons character,
but notes the overall complexity of the novel. She recognizes that because the novel was
written by a renowned author it would inevitably become popular, but argues that the
novel would receive the same amount of popularity with any other author. The article is
useful to the reader, in the sense that it offers another persons perspective of the novel,
that the reader can relate to.

Sanyal, Arundhati. "Taboo in The Picture of Dorian Gray." Quoted as "Taboo in The Picture of
Dorian Gray" in Bloom, Harold, ed. The Taboo, Bloom's Literary Themes. New York:
Chelsea House Publishing, 2010. Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 15 Nov.
2014

Arundhati Sanyals criticism provides the reader with many illuminating details, that add
to the literary genius of the work. She advocates the hedonism of art, as well as the
importance of it. She claims that Dorian was first a lump of clay, ready to be molded to
any shape. His artist friend Basil represented the practical artist, and his newly meet
acquaintance Lord Henry represented the hedonistic artist, applying arts virtues to
everything. Lord Henry ultimately gained the upper hand, and molded Dorian according

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to his own preference, which eventually lead to the nullification of Dorians emotions,
and his shameless commitments of adultery.

Sanyals criticism offers detailed textual motifs, as well as universal themes, but fails to
address any strengths or weaknesses of the novel; its more summary than analysis. The
article definitely is an eye-opener, and reveals many complex references, yet it gives no
indication on the overall effect of the novel. Although the criticism doesnt offer opinions
on the novel, it successfully and insightfully provides the reader with enlightening
connections, and motifs present in Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Snodgrass, Mary Ellen. "Wilde, Oscar." Encyclopedia of Gothic Literature. New York: Facts On
File, Inc., 2005. Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 8 Nov. 2014

Snodgrass provided a brief overview of Wildes life, and how his homosexuality played
an influential role in his development as a person, as well as a writer. His literary career
was very successful, and earned him the respect of many noblemen. He was a
homosexual librettist, and a patron of the arts. His lust for men led him to have an affair
with the local marquiss son, condemning him to hard labour. After being freed, he had
lost everything; his mother, his art collection, his wife, and his home. He lived the world
at its highs and lows, and learned a great deal about human nature, which he expertly and
subtly uses in his award winning novels.

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The article offers a plain summary of Wildes life; no insightful connections are made to
enhance the meaning of the novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. Snodgrass does not seem
to take any particular perspective on this life, which is beneficial because the writers
understanding of Wilde is unbiased. The articles facts are given in a stark manner, but
nonetheless gives a detailed summary of Oscar Wildes life, sticking only to moments in
his life that influenced his writing. And yet it still can be useful to the reader of novel:
Oscar Wildes intimate, and gothic life are all seen in Dorian Grays personality which
may be due to an uneasy life, rather than simply lust.