Gender Roles In The Picture Of Dorian Gray

suddenly. Shortly after, she committed suicide proving that her innocence could not withstand the pressure of social norms. Sibyl Vane’s superficiality was not entirely her fault because part of her idealism came from established societal gender roles. It is said that during the time period the novel was set in “women did not control the moral codes and psychological mindsets in their environment or how other people would treat them” (Gardner 3). Women during the Victorian Era were not seen as anything more than wives and mothers. Sibyl so quickly decided that she would no longer work, because a woman of high status would be outcast for doing so. Although there were professions set aside strictly for women, wealthy ones were supposed

The religious references in The Picture of Dorian Gray would suggest that there is a character in the novel that was the equivalent to Mephistopheles. It could be assumed that this character was Lord Henry because of the negative influence he had on his life. Lord Henry constantly encouraged Dorian to lead his life down a path of sinful destruction. In How to Read Literature Like A Professor, Thomas Foster talked about how most books have Bible references, and that characters that represent the devil are not always obvious. He said “So what did you think the devil would look like? If he were red with a tail, horns, and cloven hooves, any fool could say no” (Foster xi). Although Lord Henry never comes right out and asks Dorian for his soul, it was encouraged by him to disregard his spiritual health and give up everything for

Dorian, representing the very impressionable and changing population, became so involved with himself, that religion was no longer a factor in his life. He let society determine his values and morals, which led to him not having any at all. When he finally did try to repent, it was too late. Just like it is going to be for mankind. Wilde wrote it to show his disappointment in popular culture through Dorian. He views our consciences just like the characters of Lord Henry and Basil. There is a fine line between good and bad, and people’s choices alone determine what they