A guide to writing a literary essay based on Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray"

1. Writing A
Literary Essay
Focused on “The Picture of Dorian
Gray”

2. Literary essay practice:
“The blame for Dorian Gray’s personality shift can be laid at the feet of Lord
Henry Wotton. ”
Discuss the truth of this statement in an essay of 400 - 450 words.
(2 - 2½ pages)
OR
The theme of hedonism dominates the narrative of The Picture of Dorian
Gray.
Discuss the validity of the above statement in an essay of 400 - 450 words.
(2 - 2½ pages)

3. STEP ONE:
ANALYSIS OF THE TOPIC:
• The topic usually has 2 or more components:
1. THE STATEMENT/QUESTION:
“The blame for Dorian Gray’s personality shift can
be laid at the feet of Lord Henry Wotton. ”
OR
The theme of hedonism dominates the narrative of
The Picture of Dorian Gray.

4. HOW DO YOU HANDLE THE
STATEMENT/QUESTION?
 The statement is the platform from which your essay
begins.
 You will need to PROVIDE EVIDENCE from the novel
to either support, reject or equally evaluate the
statement.
 You need to read the rest of the question in order to
understand how to plan/focus your research…

5. STEP ONE:
ANALYSIS OF THE TOPIC (PART 2)
• The ‘instruction’ tells you how to approach your essay.
• 2. INSTRUCTION:
Discuss the truth of this statement in an essay of 400 - 450 words.
(2 - 2½ pages)
Or
Discuss the validity of the above statement in an essay of 400 – 450 words.
(2 – 2 ½ pages)

6. HOW DO YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTION?
• This instruction relates directly to the manner in which you structure
your research.
 i.e. Discuss the truth of this statement.
• Your essay will not need to ‘take a side’ – this instruction requires you to consider all
options, before deciding whether or not the statement is true/false.

7. EXAMPLES OF OTHER INSTRUCTIONS:
 Compare these two characters/scenes…….etc
▪ Your research will need to be focused on finding similar information
on both aspects in order to COMPARE.
• Contrast these two characters/scenes…….etc
• Your research will need to be focused on finding different
information on both aspects in order to CONTRAST.
• Examine the role a character plays in……
• Focus your research on the specific character AND how
they contributed to the events/outcome of the novel.

8. EXAMPLES OF OTHER INSTRUCTIONS:
• Discuss something specific e.g. a character
• Focus on the details related to the character and only the
character – be focused
• How do the female characters differ from….e.g.
modern day women
• Focus on the characters and collect information on them and
the other aspect of the question as well.

9. RESEARCH
 You will be required to include evidence from the
relevant sections of the novel in your essay.
▪ Examples of evidence:
▪ Summaries of important sections
• e.g. Reference to scenes in which Lord
Henry directly manipulates Dorian.
▪ Quotes that link to the statement
• e.g. “He would seek to dominate him –
had already, indeed half done so.” Lord
Henry, Chapter 3

10. HOW TO QUOTE:
 When quoting, always remember that the quote should
“fit” into the sentence in a flowing manner.
 e.g. It is clear that Lord Henry is aware of his influence over
Dorian Gray. In chapter 3, Henry contemplates Dorian’s past
and decides that he will “seek to dominate him – had already,
indeed half done so.” This highlights his awareness of his
power over Dorian.

11. STEP TWO:
STRUCTURE OF A LITERARY ESSAY
 The basic format of all essays is the same:
▪ 1. Introduction – Usually 4-5 lines allowing the reader a glimpse of the
focus of and direction your essay has taken.
(The beginning of your literary journey.)
▪ 2. Body – Divided into paragraphs, the body allows you to present relevant
information in a logical and organised manner.
(The different stops you make while on your trip.)
▪ 3. Conclusion – Usually 6-7 lines rounding off your discussion and
explaining what the evidence has revealed in relation to the topic.
(The final destination.)

12. HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION:
 Start with the author, genre and title:
 In Oscar Wilde’s gothic novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray…
 A broad statement introducing the topic in a general way:
▪ e.g. Lord Henry is an engaging and interesting man, unlike anyone
Dorian has ever met before. His influence over Dorian is
undoubtable.
 A quote that links to the statement: (If possible)
▪ e.g. The power Lord Henry possess is clear in chapter 1, when
Basil tells Henry not to influence Dorian as “[Henry’s] influence
would be bad.”
 A statement presenting the general direction of the paper in
one sentence – look to the ‘instruction’:
▪ e.g. The relationship between the two men is unbalanced, but one must
also consider the reality that Dorian does possess a degree of autonomy.

13. HOW TO STRUCTURE THE BODY:
• Remember to use words that link each paragraph to
the next in a logical manner.
• Each paragraph must contain ONE idea ONLY.
• Try as far as possible to write each paragraph in the
order the events occurred in the novel.
• Determine how many paragraphs you need to devote
each to the statement and instruction.

14. PARAGRAPHS:
“THE STATE, QUOTE, COMMENT TECHNIQUE”
 State: Make a statement relating to topic
▪ After finding out about Dorian’s past, Henry is even more fascinated by him,
and determined to continue his influence.
 Quote: Find a quote to support your statement.
▪ Henry decides that he will “seek to dominate [Dorian] – had already, indeed
half done so.” (Chapter 3)
 Comment: In your own words, write down your observation.
▪ Therefore, it is clear that Lord Henry is not only aware of his influence over
the young man, but is eager to increase his dominance.

15. CONCLUSION:
• It answers the "so what?" question, i.e. You have introduced the
essay, presented the evidence…so what?
• The conclusion ends your argument with a final decision – the
meaning of all that you have written in relation to the topic.
• You must link your conclusion to the information you have provided in
the body of your essay.

16. STRUCTURE OF THE CONCLUSION:
First sentence:
• Part 1 - Link to essay:
• Based on the evidence above…
• In light of the above discussion…
• As per the points mentioned in the essay above…
• Part 2 – concluding statement:
• … one may conclude that…
• … one can see that…
• … it is clear that…
Second sentence:
• Mention the points discussed in your essay
• Lord Henry’s influence over Dorian, Dorian’s youth and vulnerability to influence, Dorian’s
autonomy and personal choices.
Third sentence:
• What does this show us – final statement/decision

17. IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
1. Do NOT use “I” statements
2. Your personal opinion is irrelevant
3. Do not judge the character’s actions or viewpoints
4. Use the text, and only the text, to support your statements.
5. Write in the present tense.
6. Structure your essay properly
7. DO NOT tell the story