77 The Picture of Dorian Gray Essay Topics & Examples

🔝 Top-5 The Picture of Dorian Gray Essay Topics

1. Relationships Between Dorian Gray, Lord Henry, and Basil Hallward
2. Dorian Gray and His Downfall
3. Youth and Beauty in Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray
4. Why Picture of Dorian Gray Is in the Canon?
5. Dorian Gray’s and Oscar Wilde’s Connection

🏆 Best The Picture of Dorian Gray Topic Ideas & Essay Examples

1. Oscar Wilde’s “The Portrait of Dorian Gray”: The Problem of Deep-Rooted Evil
   At the outset, Dorian is the model of perfection of male youth and handsomeness. Dorian is totally taken in by Wotton’s glib flattery along with his fascinating theories, and begins developing a paranoia about youth, […]
2. Immorality in “The Portrait of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde
   The issue of immortality as portrayed in the novel ‘The Portrait of Dorian Gray’ is one of the main themes, which the novel unveils throughout its plot.
3. Aesthetics in Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
   The story, as a monument to aestheticism, however, is supportive of the idea of individuality and shows not the Victorian disciplining of evil, but the aesthetic punishment of likelihood.
4. Characters in Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
   Wilde uses the character of Dorian as a symbol of his ideas regarding the interaction of art and ethics. In it, assertions are made as to the inability of moral judgments to be made on […]
5. LGBT Literature: “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
   The chosen book is Oscar Wilde’s 1891 classic: The Picture of Dorian Gray; a story carefully fashioned to affirm the tilt youths have toward beauty, and the extent most could go to retain that unique […]
6. “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde: Dorian’s Life Philosophy and Double Life
   Answering the question why Dorian Gray was motivated to adopt his life philosophy and to lead a double life it is possible to look at the facts.
7. “The Picture of Dorian Gray”: The Question of Love in the Novel
   It turns out that the only pure love Dorian experiences is love to art, not to a woman. Dorian is deprived of the ability to love a woman.

🎨 Dorian Gray Essay Topics: Tips for Choosing the Best One

The following tips can help you decide on the best topic:

1. Make sure you’re following the instructions. Your writing assignment may have a set of guidelines regarding the essay’s format and the research area.
2. Choose the topic you find interesting. Writing an essay about things that are boring for you would be a dreadful task. Pick an exciting topic instead, and enjoy the process!
3. Make the topic up-to-date.The Picture of Dorian Gray contains plenty of relevant aspects you can look into.

The following areas of research related to can serve as an inspiration for you:

• Novel’s themes.
  You can discuss the themes of beauty, art, morality, and gender in your essay.
• Characters.
  Analyze any character of your choice and make sure to talk about their relationships.
• Adaptations of the novel.
  Discuss the role of The Picture of Dorian Gray in culture, including movies and plays.
• Reactions from the public.
  Discuss how people reacted to the book’s first publication. You can also write about its censorship and various versions published over the years.

🥇 Most Interesting The Picture of Dorian Gray Topics to Write about

1. The Importance of Being Bored: The Dividends of Ennui in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
2. Falling Under the Influence: “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
3. Genesis Allegory and Christian Symbolism in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
4. Obsession, Destruction, and Control: A Film vs. Novel Comparison of “Whiplash” and “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
5. Oscar Wilde, the Science of Heredity, and “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
6. Free Reality and Its Metaphors in “Against Nature” and “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
7. Murder and Mental Breakdown in “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
8. Homoeroticism and Sexual Oppression in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
9. Culture and Corruption: Paterian Self-Development Versus Gothic Degeneration in Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
10. The Reader’s Sympathy for Dorian From Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
11. Homosexual Desire and the Effacement of the Self in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
12. The Immorality Skills: The Fate of Characters and Ethics in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Wilde
13. Dorian’s Progression Towards Morality and Responsibility in Oscar Wilde’s Novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
14. Vampirism and the Bible in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
15. Morality and the Role of the Moral Scale in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde
16. Aestheticism, Homoeroticism, and Christian Guilt in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
17. Oscar Wilde’s Aesthetic Gothic: Walter Pater, Dark Enlightenment, and “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
18. Protestant Gothic: Understanding Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
19. Love, Marriage, and Women in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde
20. The Conflict Between Aestheticism and Morality in Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”

📌 Simple & Easy The Picture of Dorian Gray Essay Titles

1. Artists and Their Muses in Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” and Woolf’s “To the Lighthouse”
2. Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”: Presentation of Women in the Opening Chapters
3. The Impossible Synthesis Between Hellenism and Hebraism in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
4. “The Picture of Dorian Gray”: Wilde’s Parable of the Fall
5. Aestheticism and Social Anxiety in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
6. A Tragedy of the Artist: “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
7. The Power and Influence of Art in Oscar Wilde’s Work “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
8. The Link Between Ethics and Aesthetics in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
9. Obsession With Physical Appearance in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde
10. The Theme of Materialism in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
11. Stoker’s “Dracula,” Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” and O’Brien’s “At Swim-Two-Birds”: In-Depth Critical Analysis
12. The Relationship Between Beauty and Morality in Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
13. Figurative Language and Literary Devices Used in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
14. The Corruption Between the Characters in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
15. The Different Gothic Elements in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
16. Understanding the Secretive Life of Characters in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
17. How Does Oscar Wilde Explore Self-Love in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
18. Themes, Motifs, and Symbols in Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
19. The Fall From Innocence Dorian in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
20. Hard Science, Soft Psychology, and Amorphous Art in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”

✍️ Dorian Gray Essay Questions and Answers

What Is the Main Lesson of Dorian Gray?

In one of the letters, Wilde opened up about his novel’s true main lesson. According to him, it teaches us about the importance of balance. The author says that any excess is dangerous and that being overly obsessed or neglectful has consequences, which is shown through Dorian Gray being consumed by his desires.

What Is the Theme of the Dorian Gray?

The Picture of Dorian Gray highlights several significant themes, including beauty, youth, morality, and art. Moreover, they are all interconnected. According to the author, the main purpose of art is to bring beauty into the world. The novel reflects this message.

What Is the Significance of the Title The Picture of Dorian Gray?

The title of Wilde’s book refers to two pictures—the actual painting of Dorian Gray and the metaphorical one. The latter is the appearance of Dorian’s true self. The author helps the reader “picture” the character’s traits. He shows how corrupted Dorian’s soul is, which is also reflected in the painting.

What Are the Key Concepts of The Picture of Dorian Gray?

The main aspects of the novel are related to art and morality. The author starts a discussion about the purpose and power of art. Moreover, Wilde wants the readers to contemplate the concepts of beauty and vanity by showing Dorian Gray’s obsession with youth.

What Does the Character Dorian Gray Symbolize?

Some interpretations state that the characters of The Picture of Dorian Gray represent various sides of the author’s personality. Dorian Gray may reflect the person the author was hoping to become. The relationship dynamics of the main character also reflect Oscar Wilde’s real-life struggles.

❓ Dorian Gray Essay Questions

1. How Does the Preface of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” Relate to the Story?
2. What Is Henry’s Occupation in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
3. Does “The Picture of Dorian Gray” Allude to “Oedipus Rex”?
4. Who Illustrated “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
5. How Old Is Basil in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
6. What Do Dorian and Lord Henry Have in Common in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
7. What Do Trees Symbolize in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
8. What Era Is “The Picture of Dorian Gray” Set in?
9. What Is the Role of Innocence in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
10. Who Is David Stone in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
11. How Does Dorian Gray Die in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
12. What Was the Main Character in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” Accused of?
13. What Is “The Picture of Dorian Gray” Tragic Flaw?
14. What Type of Story Is “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
15. Why Is “The Picture of Dorian Gray” So Famous?
16. Was the Hero in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” a Narcissist?
17. What Sins Are Committed in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
18. Does Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” Challenge the Values of the Aestheticism Movement?
19. Who Is the Real Villain in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
20. Is “The Picture of Dorian Gray” Sexist?
21. Is the Hero of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” a Psychopath?
22. Why Is “The Picture of Dorian Gray” a Gothic Novel?
23. What Is the Moral Lesson of “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
24. What Is the Irony in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
25. Does “The Picture of Dorian Gray” Have a Happy Ending?