50+ The Picture of Dorian Gray Essay Topics for Real Literature Fans

‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ remains one of the most influential and aesthetically philosophical novels of all time. This creation by eccentric highbrow Oscar Wilde keeps captivating today’s adolescents, inspiring them to immerse themselves in the variety of ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ essay topics and contribute to the understanding of this genius’s literary heritage. We offer you the widest selection of paper topics on this literature masterpiece, ageless like the iconic protagonist of the novel.

Analytical Essay Topics for The Picture of Dorian Gray

1. 1. Can beauty be treated as moral or immoral in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”? What path has Dorian Gray passed to self-destruction?
   2. Analyze the theme of homoeroticism in “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”
   3. How are the Gothic elements implied in “The Picture of Dorian Gray?” What is their role?
   4. How does the novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray” reflect the reality of the Victorian epoch?
   5. How does Oscar Wilde develop the theme of decadence in his book “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
   6. Aestheticism as the basic idea of “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”
   7. How is the role of art determined by Oscar Wilde in the “Preface” displayed in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
   8. How does beauty corrupt Dorian’s soul?
   9. What decision could make redemption for Dorian possible?
   10. What is the symbolic meaning of the portrait in the novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
   11. How does the novel treat the matters of morality and immorality?
   12. “The Picture of Dorian Gray”: Is it another Faustian story?
   13. The significance of the novel’s title.
   14. The changes that Dorian Gray experiences and how they affect the outcome of the novel.
   15. ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ has been labeled as a cautionary tale. What does it warn the reader about?

Argumentative Essay Topics for The Picture of Dorian Gray

1. 1. Choose one phrase that would determine the main idea of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” and explain your choice.
   2. Are youth and beauty depicted as supreme values in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
   3. Choose one character in the novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray” who deserves respect and explain your choice.
   4. Moral vs. immoral in “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”
   5. Does Dorian’s soul remain the same along with his appearance?
   6. Does the character of Dorian Gray deserve sympathy in some episodes of the novel?
   7. What scene represents the meaning of the novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray” in the best way possible?
   8. Does Dorian’s appearance distort the judgments of other characters on his morality?
   9. Who is responsible for Dorian’s moral failing?
   10. What is the main reason for Dorian’s drug abuse?
   11. What is the purpose of Dorian destroying the painting?
   12. How does Lord Henry influence Dorian?
   13. What was the relationship between Dorian and Basil?
   14. How do the different male characters define masculinity?
   15. What is Sibyl Vane’s role in Dorian’s life?

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for The Picture of Dorian Gray

1. 1. Compare Dorian Gray to a real-life monster.
   2. Compare and contrast how the betrayal is represented in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde and “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini.
   3. Compare and contrast the relationships between Basil and Dorian with Lord Henry and Dorian in “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”
   4. Compare Dorian’s sense of morality at the beginning and at the end of the book.
   5. Compare and contrast the presentation of temptation in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde and “Faust” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
   6. Compare and contrast “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde and “Dorian, an Imitation” by Will Self.
   7. Compare and contrast the characters portrayed by Ben Barnes in the film “Dorian Gray” (2009) and by Stuart Townsend in the film “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.”
   8. Compare and contrast Sibyl’s acting before and after she fell in love with Dorian and explain the reasons for a change.
   9. Compare and contrast the influence of Lord Henry on Dorian’s life and the influence of Gray on Adrian Singleton’s life.
   10. Compare and contrast Lord Henry from “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde and Mephistopheles from “Faust” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
   11. Compare and contrast Dorian Gray with Jean-Baptiste Grenouille from “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.”
   12. Compare and contrast Lord Henry with Tyler Durden from “Fight Club.”
   13. Compare and contrast Sybyl Vein with Marla Singer from “Fight Club.”
   14. Compare and contrast Dorian before and after meeting Lord Henry.
   15. Compare and contrast Lord Henry with Henry Higgins from “Pygmalion” by Bernard Shaw.

The Picture of Dorian Gray Essay Topics: Hard Level

1. 1. What mythological elements appear in the novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
   2. Define the Dorian Gray syndrome.
   3. Why does “The Picture of Dorian Gray” have so many cinematic adaptations?
   4. Was the transformation of Dorian Gray into a female character in the film “The Sins of Dorian Gray” (1983) successful?
   5. What is similar between Oscar Wilde and the character of Lord Henry in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
   6. Can “The Picture of Dorian Gray” be considered as a Faustian story?
   7. How does Dorian Gray confuse art and reality in the novel?
   8. Is “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde a reinterpretation of the story about the fall of man?
   9. What is the role of Shakespeare’s plays in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
   10. Basil and Lord Henry as God and Devil in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde.
   11. Consider the role of Lord Henry in the novel. Discuss both his persona as a social figure and his relationship with Dorian.
   12. What is the nature of friendship in the book? Consider specifically Basil, Lord Henry, and Dorian as they relate to each other.
   13. Of what importance are sin and redemption in the novel?
   14. Discuss the theme of manipulation as it affects Dorian and those whom he influences.
   15. What is the role of innocence in this work? Consider specifically Sibyl Vane, Hetty Merton, and Dorian.

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