Analysis of Dorian Gray

Why Youll Write:This assignment will offer you the chance to combine response and research skills while composing a sustained argument onone of the novels youve read for this class.What To Include: Please analyze the following quote from the novel. What does it mean? How does it support the major theme(s) of thenovel? How might Wilde be critiquing his own society within this quote (or novel)? Keep in mind that this quote representsthe novels only lapse into first-person narration.Society, civilized society at least, is never very ready to believe anything to the detriment of those who areboth rich and fascinating. It feels instinctively that manners are of more importance than morals, and, in itsopinion, the highest respectability is of much less value than the possession of a good chef. And, after all, it isa very poor consolation to be told that the man who has given one a bad dinner, or poor wine, isirreproachable in his private life. Even the cardinal virtues cannot atone for half-cold entres, as Lord Henryremarked once, in a discussion on the subject; and there is possibly a good deal to be said for his view. For thecanons of good society are, or should be, the same as the canons of art. Form is absolutely essential to it. Itshould have the dignity of a ceremony, as well as its unreality, and should combine the insincere character ofa romantic play with the wit and beauty that make such plays delightful to us. Is insincerity such a terriblething? I think not. It is merely a method by which we can multiply our personalities. (Wilde 136-137)Once you have chosen a topic, you will need to develop a thesis statement to explore and support in your essay. Rememberthat a thesis statement is simply a declarative statement that identifies the main idea and/or the central purpose of an essay.You will also need to include some secondary sources to support your argument.