Gender Roles In Dorian Gray

Throughout the centuries of the world’s development, perspectives on the role of women has changed tremendously. Whether it is the clothes they wear, the way they talk, or their role in the workplace, their perception depends solely on the way society is at the time period they are a part of. Today, in the 21st century, women may be described as independent and strong. These ‘modern women’ are often portrayed as an equilibrium to the portrayal of men; apart from the revealing clothes they may wear and the obvious feminine attributes they possess. However, it was not always like this. In fact, during the Victorian Era, it was nearly the exact opposite. Covered head to toe in long, old fashioned fabrics, the ‘Victorian Woman’ was illustrated as nothing but plain and reliant on a man’s guidance. Through the Victorian, British novel The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, the depiction of female characters, Sibyl Vane and Lady Henry, expose not only the sexist attitudes of prominent male figures of the novel (Dorian Gray and Lord Henry), but also hidden

At one point in the book, she is shown discussing nothing crucial in particular, despite from her husband’s opinions. She tells Dorian about her utter love for music, and how she fears the way it makes her feel, as if it were a crime. Concealing her true identity, it is clear to the reader that Lord Henry’s wife conforms to the actions of other women, making her appear more naïve. As she further reveals her personality to Dorian, her social mask is further revealed; “I always hear Harry’s views from [him] and his friends.” (Wilde 42). Lady Henry is unknowingly admitting and accepting her lack of individuality and the fact that she is unable to think for herself. This is another expression of the role of women is Victorian society; merely a puppet pulled by the strings of