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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is one of those books that you should read if you want to feel guilty. Full of amusing dark paradoxes and sin, it made me take a second look at my life. Well done, Wilde.
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
slow-paced
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think the character work was great and well-put together. The last chapters of the book were riveting, even though I felt that the beginning/middle of the book started off a little slowly. The message of the novel reflects the fickle nature of society, and how I love books that comment on broken societies. Dorian Gray was such a good character in the sense that he was so absorbed in himself he didn't see his own flaws. The book not only highlighted the importance of confession, sin, and soul; but also the effects of influence. I genuinely felt so bad for Basil in the end: his work falling off and his muse leaving him and trashing his painting and then killing him. Even the side characters were astoundingly well rounded: Alan, James, and Sybil to name the most prominent. I was invested at every turn, and I would like to say that this was one of the better classics I've read. Truly being a unique and strange premise of a supernatural painting that warps as one's soul shrivels, I liked reading it and it was interesting to dissect.
In comparison to my other AP Lit summer novel, Frankenstein, I would say that this one takes the cake by way of writing and character strength, however, I really enjoyed the use of dual perspective and unique storytelling in Frankenstein. Both novels explored the flaws of human nature, ranging from self-destruction, ambition, and being power-hungry to vanity and the repercussions of one's actions. Both themes are extremely prevalent today, and in conclusion, I would rank this summer's English course a 9/10. Both books were solid. Thanks, Amanda.
In comparison to my other AP Lit summer novel, Frankenstein, I would say that this one takes the cake by way of writing and character strength, however, I really enjoyed the use of dual perspective and unique storytelling in Frankenstein. Both novels explored the flaws of human nature, ranging from self-destruction, ambition, and being power-hungry to vanity and the repercussions of one's actions. Both themes are extremely prevalent today, and in conclusion, I would rank this summer's English course a 9/10. Both books were solid. Thanks, Amanda.
A fun tale exploring the vanity of humanity, hedonism, and a metric-butt-ton of philosophical musings.
The Picture of Dorian Gray, true to the classics, is full of characters debating philosophy and life as rich people do. Now, you might say this made it boring. However, the characters still shine through as the most negative influence on Dorian (Lord Henry) spouts all kinds of hedonistic rubbish and some of the most outrageous claims (despite being rationally argued), yet he acts out none of them. If you ever had that one friend who just likes starting arguments, so takes devil's advocate and strongly argues for stupid opinions, that is Lord Henry. The fun part comes in on Dorian. You see, while everyone else knows Henry is full of it, Dorian is a fine young, impressionable man. So when Henry talks about how beautiful he is and how it would be a real shame if he aged at all (because vanity. Looks can only kill for so long). Man, if only you could stay as young as that painting over there!
Thus we come to root of all problems. Dorian is a man driven by his passions and shaken by all winds, most of which come from that one friend we all question why we still hangout with. BUT Oscar Isaac throws in a fantastical element to run with this theme of hedonism and make a bland novel into a very interesting concept. What if your sins didn't effect you in this life? What if you could do anything you wanted and it didn't matter? All of Dorians sins and age are thrust upon a painting of him, leaving him free to do as he wishes. What starts off as a young, charming, and handsome man, quick spirals into something far, far worse. While he is free from his sins, those around him are not. And this is what makes The Picture of Dorian Gray worth reading.
While full of philosophical tirades, the book then explores the implications of said tirades actually being carried out. While Henry speaks but doesn't act, Dorian acts. So while, those musings feel boring, once the characters start doing stuff, you realize all the crap they were just spouting is actually important. So there might just be a lesson to be learned here. While you may be free in this life, will it be so in the next?
The Picture of Dorian Gray, true to the classics, is full of characters debating philosophy and life as rich people do. Now, you might say this made it boring. However, the characters still shine through as the most negative influence on Dorian (Lord Henry) spouts all kinds of hedonistic rubbish and some of the most outrageous claims (despite being rationally argued), yet he acts out none of them. If you ever had that one friend who just likes starting arguments, so takes devil's advocate and strongly argues for stupid opinions, that is Lord Henry. The fun part comes in on Dorian. You see, while everyone else knows Henry is full of it, Dorian is a fine young, impressionable man. So when Henry talks about how beautiful he is and how it would be a real shame if he aged at all (because vanity. Looks can only kill for so long). Man, if only you could stay as young as that painting over there!
Thus we come to root of all problems. Dorian is a man driven by his passions and shaken by all winds, most of which come from that one friend we all question why we still hangout with. BUT Oscar Isaac throws in a fantastical element to run with this theme of hedonism and make a bland novel into a very interesting concept. What if your sins didn't effect you in this life? What if you could do anything you wanted and it didn't matter? All of Dorians sins and age are thrust upon a painting of him, leaving him free to do as he wishes. What starts off as a young, charming, and handsome man, quick spirals into something far, far worse. While he is free from his sins, those around him are not. And this is what makes The Picture of Dorian Gray worth reading.
While full of philosophical tirades, the book then explores the implications of said tirades actually being carried out. While Henry speaks but doesn't act, Dorian acts. So while, those musings feel boring, once the characters start doing stuff, you realize all the crap they were just spouting is actually important. So there might just be a lesson to be learned here. While you may be free in this life, will it be so in the next?