PODG #5

            In chapter eleven of The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian ponders the aestheticism in life. Dorian even realizes that “the highest respectability is of much less value than the possession of a good chef” (104). In other words, the quality of the dinner party is more important than the character of the person who hosts the dinner party. The idea that a “good chef” is more valuable than “the highest respectability” relates back to the theme of aestheticism within the novel. Life should attempt to mirror art, and hosting a quality dinner party is an art form. In addition, the fact that a good chef is more important than a respectable host displays the hypocrisy within society. If a person with a poor personality hosts a stellar dinner, the poor personality will be forgotten. On the other hand, a person with a nice personality who hosts a poor dinner party will be less likely to be forgiven. All in all, Dorian Gray realizes the aesthetic appeal in life appears to be much more important than the people who surround that aestheticism.