14. “Basil Hallward, whose sudden disappearance some years ago caused, at the time, such public excitement, and gave rise to so many strange conjectures.” (5)
The quote above foreshadows the later events of the novel when Basil goes missing and becomes the subject of gossip. Moreover, it reveals how superficial society is and their interest in gossip, highlighting one of the key themes of the novel.
15. “You thought it was my husband. It is only his wife.” (45)
From the first introduction, Henry’s wife’s tone seemingly presents her as the less important of her and Henry in the relationship. It impacts the feminist criticising side of the novel, continually displaying women as objects or something less than men.
16. “When the cab drew up at
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Basil here acts as a form of foreshadowing, displaying what is soon to come: feeling the seriousness of events that his friends seemingly ignore.
17. “The curves of her throat were the curves of a white lily. Her hands seemed to be made of cool ivory.” (80)
This quote again draws attention to Sybil’s innocence/beauty The symbols of the color white and flowers here are used to emphasise how innocent she is. The impact is to contrast with Dorian’s and Henry’s views on Sibyl: she’s merely an object/her beauty is useless.
18. “and lay there like a trampled flower.”
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21. “‘Why, man, it's nigh on eighteen years since Prince Charming made me what I am.’” (181)
The use of the metonymy of the phrase ‘Prince Charming’ impacts the text because this displays how many people prefer to Dorian as that, which seems off.
22. Foil: The contrast between Basil Hallward’s sincere care for Dorian and Lord Henry’s ill-motivated friendship with Dorian emphasizes Basil’s kind nature and Lord Henry’s slyness. This is clearly revealed in their differing reactions to news that Dorian has been engaged to a Sibyl Vane, a young actress. Basil expresses his concerns of the quickness of this engagement and the effect it may have on Dorian’s reputation while Lord Henry is merely amused as, to him, Dorian is a “subject made to his hand that…seemed to promise rich and fruitful results” (58).
23. “Gradually the events of the preceding night crept with silent, blood-stained feet into his brain and reconstructed themselves there with terrible distinctness.” (153)
Wilde’s use of personification impacts the reader’s view on the preceding night by displaying a much more corrupt