PODG: #3

            Chapters five and six both prove Lord Henry’s philosophy that “women are a decorative sex.” In chapter five, Sibyl is in the park with her brother James. As they discuss Sibyl’s infatuation with Dorian Gray, she is portrayed as a foolish romantic. To her brother’s dismay, Sibyl does not even know her love’s name. The fact that Sibyl calls her love “Prince Charming” adds to her irrational fairytale. She is consumed with this feeling of love that she has never felt before, that she disregards her family’s opinions. According to Lord Henry’s description, Sibyl would be the perfect example of the “decorative sex.” In chapter six, Dorian describes his love for Sibyl as he says, “I want to place her on a pedestal of gold, and to see the world worship the woman who is mine” (Wilde 56). Once again, Sybil is seen as the “decorative sex.” Idols and valuable possessions are placed on a pedestal for everyone to look at, not women. Dorian wants the world to worship her like an idol, not like a person. Sibyl is subjected to the value of an object and Dorian is too naïve and ignorant to appreciate and recognize the true love that they share.