Choose and discuss two of the following four choices: I. Discuss the passage of time in the novel and how it influences our impression of characters and events, especially the glossing-over of 18 years in chapter 11.

II. Basil Hallward: “Sin is a thing that writes itself across a man’s face. It cannot be concealed. People talk sometimes of secret vices. There are no such things.” (p126)

“Each of us has Heaven and Hell in him, Basil” cried Dorian with a wild gesture of despair. (p131)

Is Dorian responsible for the ruined lives of his friends? Is Lord Henry responsible for the ruined life of Dorian? When is someone responsible?
How does Dorian manipulate those around him?
III. Lord Henry: “I admit that I think it is better to be beautiful than to be good. But on the other hand no one is more ready than I am to acknowledge that it is better to be good than to be ugly.” (p161)

Is Lord Henry’s belief in the freedom of the individual truly evil? Or does Dorian misconstrue it? Does Lord Henry actually practice the ideas he espouses? Does he understand the real life consequences his ideas would have, or does he exhibit a sort of naïveté?
Dorian’s scandalous behavior shocks his peers, yet he remains welcome in social circles? Why? What is Wilde suggesting about “polite” London society?
IV. Dorian: “I have done too many dreadful things in my life. I am not going to do any more. I began my good actions yesterday.” (p173)