“The Lady of Shalott”Alfred, Lord Tennyson

John William Waterhouse,

’I am Half Sick of Shadows,’ said the Lady

of Shalott

William Maw

Egley,

The Lady of

Shalott

William Holman Hunt, The Lady of

Shalott

The Lady of Shalott, John William Waterhouse

1888, Tate Gallery at London

Arthur Hughes, The Lady of Shalott (1872-73)

John Atkinson Grimshaw,

The Lady of Shalott

The Lady of Shalott

byDante

Gabriel Rossetti

1857

How does this theme relate to the poem and to Dorian and Sibyl?

“All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors” (Wilde 2).

Superiority of Art to Real Life

Sibyl’s plea: “Dorian, Dorian, [...] before I knew you, acting was the one reality of my life. It was only in the theatre that I lived. I thought that it was all true. [...] The painted scenes were my world. I knew nothing but shadows, and I thought them real. You came – oh my beautiful love! – and you freed my soul from my prison. You taught me what reality is. [...] You had brought me something higher, something of which all art is but the reflection. You had made me understand what love really is. My love! My love! Prince Charming! Prince of life! I have grown sick of shadows. You are more to me than all art can ever be” (84).

Dorian’s response: “You have killed by love. You used to stir my imagination. Now you don’t even stir my curiosity. You simply produce no effect. […] You are shallow and stupid. My God! How mad I was love you! What a fool I have been! You are nothing to me now. I will never see you again. […] Without your art your are nothing. […] What are you now? A third-rate actress with a pretty face” (85).

Chapter 8 & 9 Discussion Questions

1. How does Henry change Dorian’s feelings in regards to Sibyl’s death? Find a textual reference to support your answer.  2. “Eternal Youth, infinite passion, pleasures subtle and secret, wild joys and wilder sins—he [Dorian] was to have all these things. The portrait was to bear the burden of his shame; that was all” (109). Why is this quote significant? 3. Using two textual references from chapter 9, prove that Basil is a compassionate person. 4. How do you think Basil really felt when Dorian told him about how he felt about Sibyl? Explain your answer.

5. Briefly describe both Dorian’s and Basil’s motivations when they discuss viewing the portrait.   6. Read the last page-and-a-half of chapter 9 again. Predict how you think Basil and Dorian’s relationship will now be different.  7. How has Dorian changed? Use one quote from chapter 9 to illustrate your belief.