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. Although Dorian starts out the novel as an innocent, good looking, and sweet boy, associations with Lord Henry changes his views and innocence. The scene with Sibyl and Dorian in the greenroom marks the first incident where Dorian does not behave as gently and sweetly as he had previously in the novel.
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. He had fallen in love with her for her acting, but just as quickly fell out of love with her when her acting faltered one night. 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 chiseled lips curled in exquisite disdain" (Wilde 90). This huge leap in emotions shows the reader how he does not care for her any longer despite her pleas. His treatment of her changes so drastically 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 marks a turning point for the rest of the novel.
