Last
year, in Literature class, I learned that the very first sentence of a book is
worth looking at. In the case of <The Picture of Dorian Gray> the whole
first paragraph is a single sentence. It describes the air of the current
setting, with an emphasis on roses. As I have only read the first chapter, I am
yet to find out if this has any relevance with the book. I will keep an eye out
for the ‘delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn’.
In the first chapter, there
are two, or rather three characters. The character that attracts my attention
the most is Lord Henry. He has a very
strong, firm belief and stance in what he says. What Basil says about Henry is
interesting as well—‘You never say a moral thing, and you never do a wrong thing. Your cynicism is simply a pose.’(page 7) and ‘I
don’t agree with a single word that you have said, and, what is more, Harry, I
don’t believe you do either.’(page 15) But Lord Henry surly does seem to pursue
his own interests. He keeps nagging Basil to tell him the reason he would not
sell the painting, and when Basil accidently says Dorian’s name, Henry is on it
in a flash. Most of what he says has a strong air of self confidence too. Also,
the way Basil wants to keep Dorian Gray from Henry caught my eye as well. Basil
did say that he wanted to keep Dorian a secret to make life more romantic, but
is that really all? In the last part of the chapter, Basil says ‘Don’t spoil
him for me. Don’t try to influence him. Your influence would be bad. The world
is wide, and has many marvellous people in it. Don’t take away from me the one person
that makes life absolutely lovely to me, and that gives to my art whatever
wonder or charm it possesses.’ to Henry. Somehow, this seems like it may be a
prediction. Given Henry’s strong view of life and his chase for amusement, perhaps
he will do something to influence Dorian Gray in a way Basil does not want him
to.
Another thing that is interesting is
the relationship of intelligence and beauty portrayed by the characters. Lord
Henry especially has a strong view in it. What with saying that beauty ends
where intellect begins, that beautiful people don’t think…I understand that he
might be referring to how people tend to frown when deep in thought. But still,
it seems too much. Perhaps a sort of black and white theory is in process, or
dichotomy. I would like to see if this idea continues throughout the book.
Now, to
examine the book in a bisexual sense. Basil uses the word ‘romance’ quite
frequently when talking about Dorian Gray. Henry also said that ‘Women have no
appreciation of good looks. At least, good women have not.’ I don’t want to
make any absolute statements yet, but I think these are worth remembering if we
want to come back to this topic.
The first chapter seems introductionary--the following chapter promises the appearance of Dorian Gray. Thus I think there will be a new beginning.
