Victorian Blog #1: Relationship: Dorian Gray and Lord Henry

The relationship between Dorian Gray and Lord Henry is very significant to theplot of the story. It is the reason that the real story began in the first place. It is Henry who inspires Dorian to wish for the switch with the picture. Throughout the story, Dorian is controlled by the opinions of Lord Henry. Even his decision about sibyl Vane can be attributed to one of Henry's opinions. This relationship is very important to the story because it is influencing Dorian act in a way that he would not have acted before. This relationship is also important because, i believe, it will soon be the cause downfall.

Victorian bolg #1: Historical Context: Poor and Rich Differences

In the novel there seems to be a big problem when it can to wealth. For example, when Dorian Gray wanted to marry a poorer girl, Sibyl Vane, there was some unhappiness in his circle of friends about how poor she was. Since he discovered her in a greasy performance hall, her intelligence and refinement is questioned.  In the Victorian era, the gap between the rich and the poor was greatly increasing. While members of the middle class were becoming more prosperous, the poor were getting poorer. So the situation with Vane is accurate to the actual Victorian times because "marrying up" and not down was preferable. This also shows the callousness of the upper class towards the lower classes of this era. Lord Henry and Dorian Gray didn't even seem to care that the little poor girl has just sacrificed herself for love.

Victorian blogs #1: Romance: Dorian and Sibyl Vane

         The romance between Dorian and the lovely Sibyl Vane starts of beautiful and true. They are together in love forever but as soon as Vane behaved in a way that Dorian saw as embarrassing he turns his back on her. Dorian is not truly in love as Vane is. He simply uses her as an adventure and as his adventure came to an end, so does her life. This romance helped me realize what a horrible person Dorian and Lord Henry are. They don't even care that she is dead; they simply see it as an adventure. Lord Henry even wishes that he had a chance to go on the same adventure. As a result of his cruelty to Vane, Dorian for the first time notices some major changes to his picture.

Victorian Blog #1: Literary Elements: Paradox

"I can stand brute force, but brute reason is quite unbearable." -Lord Henry Chap. 3 Pg. 40

A paradox is a contradicting statement that when examined in reality can prove logical. When Lord Henry states that he can bare brute force but not brute reason, one has to wonder why he can stand an actual action but not a trick of the mind. I think this statement is used to explain the overall personality of Lord Henry and foretell some upcoming situations. This paradox means that he is strong enough to stand brute force but he can never stand for brute reason, which I take to mean ignorance of the mind.

The Death of Frankenstein: Chapter 24

I have killed him. I endeavored to ruin him mentally but I never meant to kill him. I wished to make him as miserable as I, not destroy him completely. When I say his lifeless body lying limp, I couldn't help but feel guilty. I might have killed before but this was my creator. I killed my own creator. When I entered the room, one of his friends caught me in the act of looking at his corpse. He asked me to stay but I could see that he meant to cause harm to me. I talked him into letting me go and left. No life is worth living with no creator and nobody to accept me. What kind of life is lived with no one to believe in me?

I Killed Elizabeth: Chapter 23

I told him that I would be with him on his wedding day, did he not believe me? I was there and ready to kill. He denied me of my bride, why should he have his? The beautiful Elizabeth, she was so kindhearted and sweet. That was until of course I choked the life from her kind bones. He thought I came for his life and in fact I did. By taking life from her, I took his life as well. She was his last hope for happiness and with one movement of my gigantic hands I took it away from him completely. This game is only beginning. I can see his misery unfolding. I have witnessed hi rage of madness. How easily the human mind is destroyed of all commonsense.

The Death of Clerval: Chapter 21

I killed Clerval, Frankenstein's little pal. Since he refuses me my happiness, why should his happy little pal make him happy? So in rage I decided that it was time for Clerval to go. He went the same way that little William went. I grasped his neck as he begged for his life and I laughed. It was hilarious how he went, begging like a common animal. How miserable this will make Frankenstein. I can't wait to see his surprise when his little friend doesn't come home to him. Who will make him smile while in misery now? Murder is sublime to the crooked murderer.