The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Chapter 14

"He glanced at his own white taper fingers" (167-168) Taper- diminish gradually 

“that crouches in the porphyry-room"(169) Porphyry- a very hard rock, anciently quarried in Egypt, having a dark, purplish-red groundmass containing small crystals of feldspar 

“I will have absolutely nothing to do with it.  I don’t care what shame comes on you.  You deserve it all.  I should not be sorry to see you disgraced, publicly disgraced.  How dare you ask me, of all men in the world, to mix myself up in this horror?  I should have thought you knew more about people’s characters.  Your friend Lord Henry Wotton can’t have taught you much about psychology, whatever else he has taught you. Nothing will induce me to stir a step to help you” (173).

There are many different ideas that can be inferred from this quote.  Obviously Alan does not want to help Dorian for a specific reason.  Dorian must have wronged him in such a way that Alan feels no more connection to him.  It was said that they used to be inseparable, but now it is quite the opposite.  Alan said he would never have even entered Dorian’s house if it wasn’t a matter of life or death.  One can only imagine what Dorian could have done to Alan.  It must have been something awful just like how Dorian negatively affected the lives of so many others.  There seems to be another underlying tone in this quote.  Alan speaks of Lord Henry in a sort of negative tone, and most likely Lord Henry is seen as a bad person by Alan too.  Alan would not have helped Dorian if it wasn’t for the blackmail that Dorian has over Alan.  It will be very interesting how their relationship will unfold.

“Whatever my life is, he had more to do with the making or the marring of it than poor Harry has had. He may not have intended it, the result was the same” (173). 

Dorian defends Harry in this quote.  I don’t understand how Dorian can be this naive about Harry’s influence over him.  He has changed over time and it is obvious to him through the ever-changing portrait.  He must realize that Harry is the reason for this change, but he doesn’t.  Instead he blames others, like Basil, for his actions.  He says that Basil changed him more than Harry did.  That is absurd!  Harry was the worst influence over Dorian.  He was the one who put the thoughts of everlasting beauty in Dorian’s head.  All Basil did was paint the portrait of Dorian.  Dorian is really distraught and far from the truth.  I don’t know how or if he will ever see the truth.  It will be interesting to see if he does, and how he comes about it.  

The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Chapter 12-13

“you should not have made his sister’s name a byword” (154).  Byword- a word or phrase associated with some person or thing; a characteristic expression, typical greeting, or the like 

“starred with myriads of golden eyes” (163).  Myriad- a very great or indefinitely great number of persons or things 

“to see your soul.  But only God can do that […] I shall show you my soul.  You shall see the thing that you fancy only God can see” (156-157).

Basil says that he wants to see Dorian’s soul, but what he doesn’t know is that it is physically possible.  In reality only God can look into a person’s soul, but this is not the case for Dorian Gray.  His soul is portrayed through the portrait that Basil has painted.  The changes within this portrait are the marks of sin, and no one would be able to see it without being horrified.  When Basil sees the portrait he is in shock and does not believe it is his own work of art, but all his marks are present.  He does not know how to handle the situation, but he does not have long to deal with the shock of the portrait.  Soon after a mysterious rage comes over Dorian and he kills Basil for no reason.  These two chapters were really exciting.  

“I worshiped you too much. I am punished for it. You worshiped yourself too much. We are both punished” (162).

In this quote we see Basil once again trying to make everything right.  He is such a genuinely nice person, and he continuously suffers for it.  Dorian shuns Basil and looks down upon him, just like when Basil came forth for why he painted the portrait.  Dorian says that Basil’s confession is not even a good compliment.  We see Basil through this quote try and take some of the blame from Dorian.  He should not do anything like that.  He did nothing wrong.  He is not responsible for the sins Dorian has committed.  All he is responsible of is painting a portrait, the most beautiful portrait he ever painted.  He put no magic into it; he only poured his heart into it.  Dorian is responsible for the wish and the sins that he is given.  He will be punished for his action.  This is not Basil’s punishment.

The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Chapter 11

“He grew more and more enamored of his own beauty” (131).  Enamored- marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness 

"especially the art of those whose minds have been troubled with the malady of reverie"(134). Reverie- a state of dreamy meditation or fanciful musing 

“He himself would creep up-stairs to the locked room, open the door with the key that never left him now, and stand, with a mirror, in front of the portrait that Basil Hallward had painted of him, looking now at the evil and aging face on the canvas, and now at the fair young face that laughed back at him from the polished glass” (131).  

In this quote we see a change in Dorian.  Before he was ashamed to look at the changes in the portrait, but after time has passed he enjoys looking at the changes in the portrait and is happy that they have not happened to him.  The portrait serves as mirror into his soul, and he could see that his actions were taking a negative affect on his soul.  He did not seem to really care that his sins were destroying the portrait, but he did wonder which sins were worse; “wondering sometimes which were the more horrible, the signs of sin or the signs of age” (131).  He was happy he was not affected by his sins directly, but was interested in the “corruption of his own soul” (131).  

“On his return he would sit in front of the picture, sometimes loathing it and himself, but filled, at other times, with that pried of individualism that is half the fascination of sin, and smiling, with secret pleasure, at the misshapen shadow that had to bear the burden that should be his own” (144).

Dorian is filled with horror by the portrait.  No matter where he goes he does not feel safe.  The lingering of the knowledge of the portrait weighs heavy on his heart, and he is always nervous about the portrait.  He thinks that while he is away that someone will break into the room and steal the portrait and his secret will be revealed.  There are times where he is entertaining guests and he runs away, back to his house, to check that the portrait has not been tampered with.  When he sees the portrait he is filled with many feelings.  He is happy that the portrait carries the burden that should have fallen upon him, but there are times he hates it and himself.  He feels some remorse for his actions, but he is filled with the pleasure that he must not carry the burden of his sins.  

The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Chapter 9-10

“and became a confirmed misanthrope” (113).  Misanthrope- a hater of humankind 

"Old brocades, green bronzes, lacquer-work, carved ivories, exquisite surroundings, luxury, pomp - there is much to be got from all these" (Wilde 114).  Brocade- fabric woven with an elaborate design, esp. one having a raised overall pattern 

“A man who is a master of himself can end a sorrow as easily as he can invent a pleasure.  I don’t want to be at the mercy of my emotions.  I want to use them, to enjoy them, and to dominate them” (112).

In this quote we see a resemblance between Dorian’s words and Harry’s words.  This is something that I’d expect to hear from Harry.  Dorian is talking about how a man who masters his emotions is a true master if himself.  He can end sorrows and create pleasure for him, and is not at the mercy of his emotions.  Dorian is saying he wants to master his emotions and he wants to enjoy his life.  Harry’s influence is just seen more through this quote.  Because of Harry’s influence Dorian was able to get over the loss of the girl he “loved”.  Dorian is changing too quickly and it is being noticed by everyone around him.  Basil is one of those.  “You talk as if you had no heart, no pity in you.  It is all Harry’s influence.  I see that” (112).  

“‘Yes? I thought you would like it’ […] ‘I didn’t say I liked it, Harry, I said it fascinated me.  There is a great difference.’  ‘Ah, you have discovered that?’”  (129).

In this quote Dorian is telling Harry how he felt about the book that Harry had left him to read.  Dorian said it was a “poisonous book” (129).  The book fascinated him and he tells Harry this.  Harry is pleased because he thought Dorian would like it, but is mistaken.  Dorian says “I didn’t say I liked it” (129).  It is very interesting to see this interaction.  It shows how Dorian is evolving through the novel.  He saw things for their outward appearance, but is now seeing things more in depth, as it is shown through his talking of the book.  It also is interesting to see Harry’s reaction to Dorian.  He is surprised and seems happy that Dorian has changed this much because it is all a result of his influence upon Dorian.  

The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Chapter 8

“There were opiates for remorse” (100).  Opiates- A drug, hormone, or other chemical substance having sedative or narcotic effects similar to those containing opium or its derivatives 

“the sanguine labyrinth” Sanguine- cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident ; reddish; ruddy 

“The girl never really lived, and so she has never really died.  To you at least she was always a dream, a phantom that flitted through Shakespeare’s plays and left them lovelier for its presence […] the moment she touched actual life, she marred it, and it marred her, and so she passed away […] don’t waster your tears over Sibyl Vane.  She was less real than they are” (107).

In this quote we see Harry speak of what we spoke of in class.  Dorian never saw Sibyl living her own life.  He fell in love with her acting, and the characters that she portrayed.  She always acted in love.  When she found true love it doomed her because she did not receive the same feelings.  Dorian’s love for her was different.  When he saw her for what she was he was displeased and heartbroken.  He shot her down and she killed herself because she had lost the love of her life.

“Eternal youth, infinite passion, pleasures subtle and secret, wild joys and wilder sins- he was to have all these things.  The portrait was to bear the burden of his shame; that was all” (109)

Dorian’s view about life has changed.  When he fell in “love” with Sibyl he vowed to avoid Harry’s influence.  In this quote we see that Dorian has come to the realization that he is going to live his life differently.  He vowed to not see Lord Henry again or listen to his “poisonous theories” (96).  In this quote we see that Dorian has realized he does not need to live with the affects of his sins or shame.  He is going to live a life of eternal youth and not be responsible for his actions.  The portrait would show the “burden of his shame” (109).  His life will be much different than before.  Harry’s influence is coming full circle.

The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Chapter 7

“she was curiously listless” (87).  Listless- having or showing little or no interest in anything; languid; spiritless; indifferent 

“their beauty seemed to bring him an anodyne for his pain” (93).  Anodyne- a medicine that relieves or allays pain 

“She crouched on the floor like a wounded thing, and Dorian Gray, with his beautiful eyes, looked down ate her, and his chiseled lips curled in exquisite disdain.  There is always something ridiculous about the emotion of people whom one has ceased to love.  Sibyl Vane seemed to him to be absurdly melodramatic.  Her tears and sobs annoyed him” (92).

In this quote there is a change that is seen in Dorian.  He used to worship the ground that Sibyl walked on and now, because of a horrible acting performance, he cannot stand to even look and her and tells her he never wants to see her again.  This is amazing and really surprising.  I knew something would happen between them, but not because of her acting.  This shows that Dorian did not really love her but the acting or just the idea of her.  Dorian’s actions are shocking.  He is annoyed by her crying and really does not care that he just broke her heart.  It seems that his feelings are rapidly changing, and this is definitely not going to benefit him.  It is most likely because of the influence of Harry, and something terrible will happen because of this influence.  

“For every sin that he committed, a stain would fleck and wreck its fairness.  But he would not sin.  The picture, changed or unchanged, would be to him the visible emblem of conscience.  He would resist temptation.  He would not see Lord Henry” (96).

The picture is changing when Dorian commits a sin or has a feeling of guilt!  That’s pretty weird, but it is an interesting turning point in the plot of the story.  While Dorian tries to mend his relationship with Sibyl and end his relationship with Harry the picture should go through many different changes.  It will serve as a mirror to Dorian’s conscience.  When he does something bad or regrets and action it will be seen in the changes of the picture.  Most likely it will change to the point where it is old and withering away.  He will maybe be overtaken by trying to prevent the picture from changing, but will most likely make more changes in the picture trying to prevent it.  

The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Chapter 5-6

“murmured Mrs. Vane, taking up a tawdry theatrical dress” (66). Tawdry- Gaudy and cheap in nature or appearance 

“‘You are quite incorrigible, Harry’” (81).  Incorrigible- not corrigible; bad beyond correction or reform 

“‘Yes, Dorian, you will always be fond of me.  I represent to you all the sins you have never had the courage to commit’” (84).

Once again we see the affect that Harry feels he has over Dorian, even after Dorian has said that when he is with Sibyl he regrets everything that Harry has taught him.  Harry acts as almost the other half of Dorian in this book.  Dorian is beautiful and young.  Harry is older and very wise and well-spoken.  They are almost exact opposites and that is maybe why they are attracted to each other.  Dorian is drawn to Harry in a almost supernatural sense.  He even says he does not know why he likes him.  It will be very interesting to see their relationship develop with Sibyl now being involved.  

“‘To be in love is to surpass one’s self’” (71).  “‘The real drawback to marriage is that it makes one unselfish.  And unselfish people are colorless.  They lack individuality’”  (78).

There is a similarity between these two quotes that no one would expect.  Sibyl and Harry are saying similar things, but no on would believe that the two share a common belief.  The two seem to be two very different people.  Harry, with all his very absurd ideas, has a very reasonable main idea.  Marriage makes a person unselfish, which it should.  When a person gets married they have to love and care for another as they would love and care for themselves.  Sibyl’s idea is that when you are in love you are more than yourself.  You are connected to like you are to no other person.  You surpass caring for yourself and care for another.  You are unselfish.  These two quotes are very similar and I was surprised to see them from two very different characters.