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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Dorian go at the end of Chapter Eight?

2. From whom did Lord Henry first hear Dorian’s name?

3. What is Dorian’s news at the beginning of Chapter Four?

4. Where does Dorian agree to go with Lord Henry in Chapter Eight?

5. In what historical period does The Picture of Dorian Gray take place?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Dorian’s past considered dark?

2. Why does the portrait of Dorian make him unhappy?

3. What drew Dorian to Sibyl?

4. Why was Dorian in the slums in Chapter Four?

5. What does Lord Henry think of the story of Dorian’s past?

6. Why does Basil not want to exhibit the portrait of Dorian, according to Chapter One?

7. Why does Dorian hide the painting in Chapter Ten?

8. Why is Dorian intrigued by Lord Henry in Chapter Two?

9. What decision does Dorian make in his life as a result of Sibyl’s suicide?

10. Why does Basil say he originally did not want Dorian to see the painting?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define escapism. What role does escapism play in The Picture of Dorian Gray? What does Dorian seek to escape throughout the story? Is he successful? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the role of the arts in The Picture of Dorian Gray. How do the arts affect the various characters in the story? How do the arts help progress the plot forward? Why does Wilde choose to include the arts in this way?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the relationship between Dorian and Sibyl. How does it begin? How does it end? What role does their relationship play in The Picture of Dorian Gray?

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