Dorian Gray: Chapter 16-17

Discussion Questions This chapter is arguably the most gothic of all of Dorian Gray – what about Wilde’s writing shows us this? “To cure the soul by means of the senses and the senses by means of the soul” – what does this mean, and why does Dorian keep repeating it? Pay attention to the people Dorian has ruined--Adrian Singleton and the prostitute--and, in a sense, James Vane? What has he done to them? What is his relationship to and attitude toward them now? What is the clue that first sets James Vane on Dorian’s trail? In this moment does Dorian’s curse save him?

Looking Ahead: Chapter 16 What is opium?

Opium Bayer Heroin Bottle Opium Poppy is a plant with strong narcotic and pain-relief qualities that humans have been using and abusing for centuries Earliest evidence of use from 5000 BCE Religious rituals Medicine Opium has been used in various times for ‘legitimate’ medical purposes around the world; especially in Victorian England, China, and the USA into the early 1900s. Today, opium is used to produce heroin and synthetic opioids are used in many powerful painkillers. Bayer Heroin Bottle

1903 painting of Opium Den in France called “A New Vice” Opium Dens Opium dens were places where opium was bought and smoked. Opium use was not considered proper in many societies, even if it was widely spread. The opium den with all its mystery, danger and intrigue appeared in many Victorian novels, poems and contemporary newspapers, and fueled the public’s imagination.

Opium and the Victorians: Victorian Era Fiction "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." Oscar Wilde in his novel, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ (1891).

Opium and the Victorians The India-China opium trade was very important to the British economy. Britain had fought two wars in the mid 19th century known as the ‘Opium Wars,’ … because of the immense profits to be made in the trading of opium. Since the British captured Calcutta in 1756, the cultivation of poppies for opium had been actively encouraged by the British and the trade formed an important part the economy. The Victorian attitude to opium was complex. The middle and upper classes saw the heavy use of opium among the lower classes as ‘misuse’ of the drug; however their own use of opiates was seen as no more than a ‘habit’. More Victorian hypocrisy! Women made a substantial part of the addicted Victorian population, and were, as a rule, more medicated than men. A number of patent drugs and proprietary medicines containing opium or its derivatives, were called 'women's friends'. Doctors prescribed widely opiates for 'female troubles', associated with menstruation and childbirth, or fashionable 'female maladies', such as depression, fainting fits, and mood swings.

Opium and the Victorians “Three conclusions that might be drawn (about drug opium use in Victorian England). First, the smoking of opium was seen as a vice practiced by Orientals. The constant reiteration of this in both works of fiction and popular journalism suggests a clear level of xenophobic content. Second the misuse of (opium) appears to have been largely associated, in the public mind, with its use amongst the lower and laboring classes. Finally, it tends to reinforce the view implicit in so many elements of Victorian life that those in the better classes might engage in the same practices without them being considered vices.”

Symbolism In addition to the symbolism attached to the painting and the Yellow book, the Opium dens that Dorian frequents also function as a symbol. Based on the description of the Opium den Wilde gives us in chapter 16, what are the Opium dens of Dorian’s world symbolic of? Consider: “To cure the soul by means of the sense, and the senses by means of the soul”….

Symbolism: Opium Dens Opium dens = the decaying morality of Dorian’s life, as well as the dark parts of his mind he retreats to when the reality of his existence threatens to disrupt his hedonistic bliss.

What do you see?

What do you see?

What do you see?

How would you describe the similarities in the images?

Paradox: a statement that is, or appears to be, self-contradictory but may include a hidden truth. Example: “What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young.” – George Bernard Shaw

Paradox: a statement that is, or appears to be, self-contradictory but may include a hidden truth. Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6RjjaEy59I Example: Futurama 6:00 to 6:52 https://www.netflix.com/watch/70140727?trackId=13752289&tctx=0%2C0%2C191b1 8b1-295c-40a7-b7f1-84c4559f5b79-180046276 Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x1q5_lYMRA

Generally, people find paradoxes to be really interesting… Why?

In Pairs: Revealing wilde’s paradoxes How is Wilde commenting on the paradoxical nature of the Victorian Era? How does that connect to the Opium den? Symbolism  Theme  Author’s Purpose Choose some other stylistic device in Wilde’s work and explain how this reveals the hypocrisy of the Victorians. In what other ways is he delivering his purpose? Juxtaposition Symbolism Characterization, foil Irony Etc.. Your example needs to have research about the Victorians that backs up your claim, as well as evidence from the text, and an image of the stylistic device

Victorian Paradox = Hypocrisy Symbol: Opium Den Reveals: Hypocrisy of class and drug use "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." Oscar Wilde in his novel, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ (1891). “Three conclusions that might be drawn (about drug opium use in Victorian England). First, the smoking of opium was seen as a vice practiced by Orientals. The constant reiteration of this in both works of fiction and popular journalism suggests a clear level of xenophobic content. Second the misuse of (opium) appears to have been largely associated, in the public mind, with its use amongst the lower and laboring classes. Finally, it tends to reinforce the view implicit in so many elements of Victorian life that those in the better classes might engage in the same practices without them being considered vices.”