the painting and its link to aesthetic philosophy

Question 1

painting revolves around aesthetic movement in victorian england

Question 2

art takes no part in molding the social or moral identities of society, nor should it. art should be beautiful and pleasure it’s observer, but to imply further reaching influence would be a mistake

Question 3

aesthetic movement advocated whatever behaviour was likely to maximize the beauty and happiness of one’s life

Question 4

if the basic principles are applied basil attributes to the painting the ability to represent dorian’s soul

Question 5

dorian compares himself to the painting and reality and art intervene with each other resulting in dorian’s illusion that he and the painting are the same

Question 6

the “real dorian” is the prime focus and worry of the main character as portrait undergoes changes

Question 7

““don’t, basil, dont!” he cried. “It would be murder””

Question 8

dorian feels inseparable from the portrait, seeing it as something almost sacred

Question 9

to destroy the painting would mean killing the most perfect version of himself

Question 10

aim of aesthetic art is “to reveal art and conceal the artist” meaning that putting oneself in a position where one becomes too deeply involved in their artistic creations is wrong

Question 11

basil puts too much emotion into the painting and rejects putting it on display

Question 12

changes in portrait represent dorian’s real self

Question 13

if linked to aesthetic art the portrait depicts the idea that if one comes too close to art art continuously puts more pressure on the person resulting in the destruction of oneself

Question 14

dorian’s picture becomes the visible emblem of conscience and a symbol of the degradation of sin as it looks out at its subject from the canvas and calls him to judgement

Question 15

all sins through years pile up to create dorian’s disfigured soul, revealing that like a person can’t reclaim their youth, dorian can’t recover his innocent boyhood years