Sphinxes without secrets.

In 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', Henry Wotton described women as 'Sphinxes without secrets'. This describes the view of women in this society perfectly. They are meant to be mysterious and secretive, but in actual fact, there is nothing underneath this facade of mystery. Indeed, the book focuses on male relationships, and women are portrayed as shallow and holding no real value in society, described by Wotton as being the 'decorative sex'

This is highlighted by the fact that there are no lasting female relationships, while the male relationships in the novel are very, very strong, lasting the entirety of the book. The only two prominent female relationships in the novel are the one between Dorian and Sybil, and the marriage of Henry and his wife, who get divorced at some time during the course of the book.

The presentation of women themselves also highlights this fact. Sybil Vane, the most prominent female character in the novel, is portrayed as being rather childlike and shallow. This is shown when she is talking to her brother about he romance with Dorian, and she proclaims 'I shall love him for ever!'. The over dramatic exclamation emphasises her childlike nature, and illustrates how she dramatises her life. Indeed, she views Dorian as her 'Prince Charming', as though she is in one of the Shakespearean plays she performs. Another instance which highlights the novel's depiction of women is when Dorian meets Victoria Wotton, Lord Henry's wife. She is portrayed as rather foolish and romantic, with this being her only appearance in the novel, despite being married to one of the main characters.