PODG 3

The conversations between James, his mother (Mrs. Vane), and Sibyl foreshadow the the ultimate demise of of Dorian and Sibyl's relationship. In the conversations about Dorian and Jame's father, Mrs. Vane refers to both Dorian and Jame's father as gentleman. Mrs. Vane says, "But there is no doubt that the young man in question is a perfect gentleman" (47). She then later on states, "He was you father, and a gentleman. Indeed he was highly connected" (52). In drawing this parallel between Dorian and Jame's father, Mrs. Vane also foreshadows the ultimate fate of Dorian and Sibyl's relationship. Jame's father was not married to Mrs. Vane when they conceived children, and he went on to die, leaving Mrs. Vane, James, and Sibyl alone. By connecting Dorian and Jame's father because they were both gentlemen, Mrs. Vane unknowingly also connects the two by their failure to maintain a proper relationship. The dialogues between Mrs. Vane and James show the possible demise of Sibyl and Dorian's love through comparison with the late father of James and Sibyl.