1984. Select a
line or so of poetry, or a moment or scene in a novel, epic poem, or play that
you find especially memorable. Write an essay in which you identify the line or
the passage, explain its relationship to the work in which it is found, and
analyze the reasons for its effectiveness.
Although there are many memorable and monumental scenes in the novel A Picture of Dorian Gray, none are as revealing as the scene with Sibyl and Dorian in the greenroom. Dorian is disappointed with Sibyl's poor acting in Shakespeare's plays. Sibyl is unable to convey the same passionate emotions that she once was able to portray. Her skill and love for acting dies as she begins to realize what true love is. Falling for Dorian, she realizes that the words she wanted to say did not match the lines of Shakespeare's lovers, effectively dissolving her acting skills. Dorian confronts her in the greenroom, disgusted, only to be met with a passionate speech from Sibyl announcing that she is finished with acting. Dorian is unmoved, enraged, and pushes her away from him. He tells her he never wants to see her again. This scene serves as the turn of events from Dorian being an innocent man who ignores Lord Henry to a man who takes Lord Henry's teachings to become a corrupt man.
The transition from Dorian being gentle and in love to a man absorbed in lust and looks makes the scene important to the rest of the novel. The reader sees a sweet young boy who resists Lord Henry's teachings of corruption change into someone who hates himself for following Lord Henry's words so diligently. Dorian, who had previously told Lord Henry that his love for Sibyl made him forget all of Lord Henry's teachings, throws away Sibyl and her pleas without a second thought. Him pushing her away as she approaches him shows that he is not only upset with her bad acting, but thoroughly disgusted with her. Her pleas are meaningless to Dorian. Dorian looks down on her as if she is worthless to him. This is shown as she gets down on her knees to plead, "She crouched on the floor like a wounded thing, and Dorian Gray, with his
beautiful eyes, looked down at her, and his chiselled lips curled
in exquisite disdain" (Wilde 90). This huge leap in emotions shows the reader how he does not care for her any longer. His regard for her is so drastically lowered that it further highlights this transition from innocence to corruption.
As a result of the scene with Sibyl and Dorian, Dorian's portrait shows change from a smile to a slight grimace. Not only does Dorian experience the first change in the picture from this moment, he also realizes that he cannot be aged or changed from his actions. This new discovery influences the rest of his actions in the novel, making the scene with Sibyl even more influential. It truly makes the scene more effective as it effects the rest of the novel.
Hi Joyce,
ReplyDeleteBeing someone who hasn't read the book "A Picture of Dorian Grey" I think you did a great job of explaining the story. Your example is also very strong and effective. One thing that I might do though is tying your example to the thesis a little more. I had a hard time understanding how Dorian's sudden change was so effective in sticking in your mind. Was it just because it influenced a lot of the rest of the story or was there certain imagery or literary techniques that caught your attention?
Matt Ko
Like Matt said, you did a great job explaining the story--perhaps too good a job. I think you spent too much time explaining the context of the line, distracting the reader from your thesis and claim. Try to reduce summarization to a bare minimum so that you have time to answer the prompt. In other words, the context of the quote you picked should be a few sentences in your introductory paragraph to set up your thesis. For example, in this case, all you needed to explain was that Dorian's rejection of Sybil marks the beginning of a sudden and drastic change in his personality. Then, you can go on to make connections and show how that sentence was a pivotal point in the novel via your thesis statement.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, I enjoyed reading your essay!
Noah Symanzik