Dorian Gray Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• What does Dorian Gray so desperately wish for that he 'would give [his] soul' to have it come true?
• Which statement best summarizes Lord Henry's view on beauty and virtue?
• Which framework best frames Dorian Gray's bargain?
• What does the portrait symbolize in the novel?
• What is the status of the painting at the outset?
• What does Dorian promise that he will do in the future?
• Why is Dorian late meeting Lord Henry for dinner?
• What does Lord Henry say it means to be good?
• How does Wilde use dialogue to advance central themes?
• Whom does Lady Narborough accuse of being 'extremely wicked'?
• Why does Dorian threaten never to speak to Basil again?
• Which character is repeatedly cited as influencing Dorian's worldview in the described events?
• What does the painting's transformation symbolize in the narrative?
• How does the aging mechanism function within the narrative?
• Which action does Dorian describe as a 'good deed' that leads him to think of Hetty?
• What is the significance of the epigraph 'All art is quite useless' in the work?
• After breaking off his relationship with Sibyl, what change does Dorian notice in Basil's portrait?
• Which statement about Basil Hallward's role is accurate?
• Basil's concern about sharing his painting with Lord Henry is best described as which of the following?
• After Lord Henry points out how fortunate Dorian is that someone loved him enough to kill herself for him, what does Dorian decide?
• Where does Basil believe that Dorian had gone after learning the news about Sibyl?
• What does the paradoxical view of temptation imply about moral choices and aesthetics?
• Which nickname does Sibyl Vane use for Dorian Gray?
• What vow does James Vane make regarding Sibyl if someone harms her?
• What is the relationship between Alan Campbell and Dorian Gray?
• What exercise does Lord Henry find 'terribly enthralling'?
• What does Dorian feel he must immediately destroy upon returning from the dinner party?
• What does Dorian beg Sir Geoffrey Clouston not to do?
• Where is the diary of Dorian's life housed?
• What is one of Dorian's recurring winter activities?
• What tragedy befalls Sibyl Vane, and how does it intersect with Dorian's life?
• Which statement best captures the ultimate effect of Dorian's pursuit of aestheticism on his identity?
• Basil believes that his landscape painting is the finest work he's ever done. To what does he attribute this success?
• What does Dorian believe would be a real pleasure to watch?
• What does Lord Henry ask Dorian at Lady Narborough's party that makes Dorian nervous?
• Where does Dorian hide Basil's belongings?
• When Gladys tells Lord Henry he values beauty far too much, what is his response regarding beauty and goodness?
• To what does Basil attribute Dorian's negative reaction to his painting?
• What is the 'terrible reality' that can be bought, sold, and bartered away?
• In what field does Alan Campbell specialize?
• Role of opium dens in the narrative?
• Where do most of the key events occur?
• How is society portrayed through characters?
• Who does Basil blame for the changes in Dorian?
• What did Dorian believe he had seen through the conservatory window?
• Though Dorian believes that forgiveness for his sins is impossible, what is 'possible still'?
• What realization does Dorian have about the painting when it changes?
• Sibyl Vane's death is officially attributed to what?
• How does the yellow book drive the plot beyond a simple romantic tragedy?
• What change does Dorian believe the portrait will exhibit as he becomes good by leaving Hetty?
• What becomes of Alan Campbell?
• Which item did Lord Henry send that captivated Dorian?
• What had the man in the thicket intended to do?
• What does Dorian Gray do to Basil?
• Sibyl Vane's brother has the relation to Sibyl Vane as what?
• Hetty is which of the following in relation to Dorian Gray?
• Describe the inciting moment when Dorian wishes to remain young forever.
• What did Dorian do to the copies of the book, binding them in colors?
• What central philosophical question does the novel provoke about art and life?
• Which statement best describes the function of the portrait within Dorian Gray's life?
• What weapon does Dorian use on Basil?
• Why does Dorian go to look at his portrait while thinking of Hetty Merton?
• Which factor caused Dorian to lose track of time before his dinner engagement?
• In which location does Dorian decide to conceal the painting?
• What fate have many of Dorian's acquaintances met?
• What does the ending illustrate about living for beauty alone?
• Why does Dorian bury his secrets within the attic studio?
• What becomes a huge influence over Dorian Gray's life?
• Where does Dorian take Basil so that the artist may see the diary of his life?
• Which role does Sibyl Vane perform on stage?
• Which statement best captures Basil's description of the influence behind the painting's success?
• How does Dorian feel when he attends Lady Narborough's party?
• What would Basil need to see before he could believe the rumors?
• What reason does Basil give for not wanting to exhibit his painting of Dorian?
• Who is the drunken sailor who accuses Dorian Gray in the street?
• Ending: What happens to Dorian?
• During a theater outing with Lord Henry and Basil, what provokes Dorian's anger?
• What does Basil implore Dorian to do after seeing the condition of the painting?
• What is Dorian tired of hearing now?
• Which character accompanies Dorian to the Opera alongside Lord Henry?
• What happens that Dorian proclaims to be a 'bad omen'?
• What does the telegram from Dorian to Lord Henry say?
• How does Dorian describe the status of his engagement with Sibyl Vane?
• Who claims that Lord Henry is 'extremely dangerous' yet still wishes to hear more of his philosophy?
• Who calls Dorian 'Prince Charming'?
• Which statement best describes Basil Hallward's profession?
• How does Dorian describe the nature of his engagement to Sibyl Vane?
• The central tension between appearance and reality is best described as:
• Which phrase did Lord Henry use to describe women?
• How do Basil's and Sibyl's relationships with Dorian differ in their stakes?
• What is James Vane's relation to Sibyl Vane?
• What happened to Dorian Gray's father?
• To where does Dorian want Henry and Basil to accompany him?
• What question does Jim ask his mother before leaving for Australia?
• Which object functions as Dorian's visible conscience throughout the story?
• Why should the prayer of a man to a most just God be something other than 'Forgive us our sins'?
• Who is Basil Hallward in Dorian Gray, and what is his significance to the story?
• How does Dorian create an alibi for Basil's death?
• Who does Dorian send his servant to fetch on the morning after Basil's death?
• How is art's influence on morality illustrated through Basil's perspective?
• How many years earlier did Sibyl Vane commit suicide?
• The painting is hidden in which location in Dorian's house?
• What broader statement about art and morality does Wilde convey through Basil?
• What does the portrait symbolize in the novel?
• What threat does Jim make about Prince Charming?
• What does Lord Henry say Dorian represents to him?
• What happens to Dorian Gray?
• Victoria is married to which character?
• The yellow book functions as a motif representing what?
• What is Lord Henry's primary rhetorical technique?
• Which statement describes Dorian's complaint about hearing his name?
• Why does Alan Campbell agree to do as Dorian asks?
• What does Lord Henry claim about Hetty's future after Dorian jilts her?
• Why does Lady Narborough seem to hate visiting her daughter and son-in-law?
• What is Lord Henry's one quarrel with?
• Who painted the portrait that haunts Dorian?
• Which character primarily serves as Dorian's moral guide and is shocked by his corruption?
• What does Lord Henry say is 'the real secret of life'?
• What does the yellow book symbolize?
• What is the consequence of living a double life in the novel's framework?
• Which element does Basil believe is revealed by the painting?
• How are art and ethics entangled in Wilde's treatment of theater and painting?
• To which city does Basil tell Dorian he plans to travel for six months?
• What did Basil want to speak to Dorian about before leaving?
• Which statement best captures the satirical critique in the narrative?
• Why doesn't the drunken sailor shoot Dorian Gray?
• The novel challenges Victorian moral judgments by presenting a protagonist who outwardly charms while
• Which two characters did Dorian want to accompany him to the theatre?
• How is accountability portrayed in the narrative?
• What ethical dilemma does Dorian face after his early libertine exploits?
• What is the state of Dorian's relationship with Sibyl Vane when the painting begins to change?
• Which statement best reflects Dorian's varied interests in his senses study?
• Which statement describes the real secret of life according to Lord Henry?
• What does the text imply about gender and power in Victorian society?
• Who is Basil Hallward?
• What completely captures Lord Henry Wotton's attention when he visits Hallward's studio?
• What does the famous line about temptation suggest?
• What is the coroner's official cause of Sibyl Vane's death?
• Why do people tend to disbelieve the rumors about Dorian Gray?
• What role does Lord Henry Wotton play in shaping Dorian's worldview?
• What is Alan Campbell's function in the narrative?
• What does Dorian tell Lord Henry that Henry immediately dismisses as impossible to believe?
• Which factor is cited as causing Dorian Gray to react negatively to his portrait?
• What is the core theme conveyed by Dorian's wish to trade his soul for perpetual youth?
• Which theme is underscored by Dorian's pursuit of youth and beauty?
• Which person is rumored to have set up the duel that killed Dorian Gray's father?
• What did Mr. Isaacs do to help Sibyl and her family?
• In which room is the painting stored?
• Who is the man in the thicket?
• How are theater and painting treated in Wilde's work regarding truth and ethics?
• What effect does the yellow book have on Dorian?
• Name two major symbols and explain their meanings.
• What advice does Lord Henry give the Duchess when she asks how she can become young again?
• Ending: How does the ending address Dorian's relationship to the portrait?
• How do Basil Hallward and Lord Henry's attitudes toward Dorian differ?
• What does Sibyl say Dorian taught her about reality and love?
• What does the 'double life' motif reveal about the novel's ethics?
• What does Basil want to do with the portrait he painted?
• What is Lord Henry's real drawback to marriage according to the text?
• What role does the portrait play in relation to Dorian's soul?
• What words did Lord Henry say the first day he met Dorian that now repeatedly play through Dorian's mind?
• What explanation does Sibyl give for her poor performance?
• Who accompanies Dorian to the theater in the described scene?
• In the narrative, how is Dorian's treatment of women best described?
• Where does Dorian see Adrian Singleton?
• Which character shot into the thicket?
• In the story, what is Mrs. Leaf's role?
• What happens to Basil Hallward?
• Why is London chosen as the primary setting in the novel?
• What is the yellow book, and what effect does it have on Dorian?
• How does Wilde employ sensory imagery to balance beauty and danger?
• Why doesn't Basil want to introduce Lord Henry to Dorian Gray?
• Which person is the painter who created Dorian's portrait?
• What news is in Lord Henry's letter that Dorian does not open?
• What function does the portrait serve in the story?
• Where does Dorian decide to hide the painting?
• According to Lord Henry, what is 'the only way to get rid of a temptation'?
• Who painted the portrait of Dorian Gray?
• In the novel, how do appearances relate to truth?
• How does Wilde employ irony regarding Dorian's appearance vs soul?
• What function does Basil's art serve within the story?
• What triggers Sibyl Vane's death?
• What does Sibyl Vane's fate reveal about Dorian's attitude toward tenderness?
• When Dorian Gray is reminded that he promised to visit Basil Hallward, where does he go instead?
• What does Basil believe are the only two eras of importance in the world's history?
• How does the text critique Victorian hypocrisy?
• Who is the first to notice changes in the portrait?
• Besides the portrait, which motifs recur in the narrative?
• How many copies did Dorian purchase of the influential book?
• What is the subject of the yellow book Lord Henry sends?
• How does influence function in the novel?
• What is the primary effect of the yellow book on Dorian's state of mind?
• What does Lord Henry claim is 'the aim of life'?
• Who sends Dorian the yellow book that fascinates him?
• Which character gives Dorian the yellow book?
• With whom does Dorian Gray fall in love?
• How does memory function in the story?
• How is the concept of the life of beauty treated in the novel?
• What former friend does Dorian Gray see at the opium house?
• According to Lord Henry what three things have made England what she is?
• What does Dorian Gray blame for raising such fearful phantoms that keep him in his house for three days?
• What becomes of Alan Campbell?
• What is Dorian's reaction to Sibyl's explanation for her poor performance?
• How does Sibyl Vane's brother James Vane affect Dorian's fate?
• According to Lord Henry, what is the likely consequence of Dorian jilting Hetty?
• What was Adrian Singleton's relation to Dorian before the events?
• What contrasts art and life in key scenes?
• What request does Dorian Gray make of Alan Campbell?
• What gesture did Sibyl perform after their backstage talk that signified devotion?
• Who is Mrs. Leaf in the story?
• What does Basil see in the portrait he painted of Dorian Gray?
• What does the Duke of Berwick do when Dorian is brought into the smoking room?
• What is the narrative perspective and structure of the novel?
• What is Lord Henry's answer when the Duchess asks him to describe women?
• Where does Dorian go the evening he learns of Sibyl's fate?
• As Dorian sketches, what begins to appear in all of his drawings?
• Which element functions as a conscience?
• Which statement best explains the relationship between outward beauty and inner guilt as depicted in the novel?
• Victoria in the story is identified as the wife of which character?
• What is the significance of naming Dorian Gray as the title subject?
• Which description best matches Dorian's social behavior as influenced by the book?
• What emotions does Basil feel upon viewing the portrait?
• Who murders Basil Hallward, and why?
• Which character or element functions as a conscience within the narrative?