Summary
and
Analysis
Chapter 13
Summary
Dorian lets Basil inside the room above after the two men climbed the stairs. He turns on the lamp and asks Basil once more whether he truly wants an answer to his question. Dorian pulls the curtain back from the painting and shines the light on it, stating he is thrilled to show Basil because he is the one man in the world who is allowed to know everything about him. When he sees the portrait, Basil screams in terror. He stares at it in disbelief for a long time, unable to believe it is the same painting he created all those years ago.
Dorian is resting against the mantle shelf, looking at Basil's reaction with a triumphant expression on his face. Dorian explains that Basil created this image of him when he was a youngster, encouraging him to be self-conscious about his appearance. Then he introduced him to Lord Henry, who revealed the wonders of youth to him. The portrait had brought the lesson on the beauty of youth to a close. When he first saw it, he pleaded that he should swap places with it, never altering or aging, but allowing the image to do so. Basil recalls the plea. He believes it is, however, impossible. He seeks a reasonable explanation for the deterioration of the portrait's beauty. He suspects that the room was moist or that he had used low-quality paints. He claims that his ideal, which he painted that day, included nothing wicked or dishonourable. Instead, this is the visage of a satyr. Dorian claims that is his soul's face.
Basil begins to believe it and then understands what it means. That everything stated about Dorian is correct, and his reputation isn't even as horrible as he is. Dorian can be heard sobbing as he begins to pray. He invites Dorian to pray with him. He claims Dorian idolized himself too much, and that they are now both punished. Dorian informs him that it is too late. Basil is adamant that it isn't. He starts to pray. When Dorian stares at the picture, he is overcome with loathing towards Basil. He notices a knife nearby and snatches it up. He walks over to Basil and stands behind him, stabbing him in the neck numerous times.
When he's through, all he can hear is blood dripping. He walks over to the door and locks it. When he sees Basil's body, he is shocked.
He looks out the window and sees a police officer and an elderly woman. He makes a conscious effort not to obsess about what has transpired.
He goes downstairs, closing the door behind him, and picks up the lamp since he knows the servant will miss it. The home is completely silent. Basil was due to leave for Paris that night, and he had even sent his hefty possessions ahead of him. No one had seen him return after leaving earlier that evening. No one will start to wonder about him for months. He conceals Basil's bag and coat in the same hiding spot he hides his disguises.
He then dons his own coat, walks outside, and knocks on the door. When his servant opens the door, he asks what time it is. Then he orders him to wake him up at nine a.m. the next day. The servant informs him that Mr. Hallward has visited but has left. Dorian expresses his regret at having missed him.
He returns to his library and pulls up the Blue Book, where he discovers the name Alan Campbell. He believes that this is the man he needs.
Notes
The portrait's subject murders the artist. Dorian Gray murders Basil Hallward, breaking the tragic triangle between the novel's three main characters. Both Basil and the portrait have functioned as Dorian's conscience. Dorian has avoided Basil throughout his years of studying the aesthetics of evil.
Basil finally approaches him to confront him. The reader learns about all of Dorian's specific charges. He has wrecked the reputations of young men and women, some of whom have even committed suicide as a result of his actions. He is shunned by all of London's elite families.
Dorian appears relieved to be able to share Basil's revulsion at the portrait, but when Basil sees it and recognizes what it represents about Dorian, he wants Dorian to change his ways and repent. Dorian, unable to face this possibility, murders Basil instead.
Chapter 14
Summary
Dorian Gray awakens with a smile at nine o'clock the next morning, feeling well rested. He gradually recalls the events of the previous night. He feels sorry for himself and despises Basil. Then he notices Basil's body is still upstairs in the room. He is afraid that if he thinks about what occurred too much, he would go insane. He gets up and takes his time selecting his clothing and jewellery. He eats his breakfast leisurely and reads his mail, tossing a letter from a lover away, recalling one of Lord Henry's misogynist remarks about women, that they have “a bad memory”. He writes two letters, one of which is delivered to Mr. Alan Campbell by his manservant.
He smokes a cigarette and draws for a while, but every face he draws looks exactly like Basil's. He lies on the sofa, trying to read Gautier's Emaux et Camees. He appreciates the imagery of Venice's beauty in the book. It brings back memories of his trip there. He was with Basil, and he recalls Basil's delight at Tintoret's art. He attempts to read again and becomes concerned that Alan Campbell may be out of town.
He and Alan were best friends five years ago. They no longer interact. When Alan enters an event with Dorian present, he invariably departs the room. Alan is a scientist, but he was also a music lover when he and Dorian were together. For a year and a half, they were inseparable. They then fought and haven't spoken since. Alan has abandoned music in favour of science. As he waits, Dorian gets crazy with anxiety. Finally, the servant announces the arrival of Mr. Campbell.
Dorian relaxes and assumes the role of the courteous host. Alan Campbell's face is set in disdain and loathing. He's curious as to why Dorian has approached him. Dorian informs Campbell that there is a dead body in a room at the top of the stairs and that he requires Campbell to dispose of it. Alan warns him to be quiet. He claims he will not report him, but he will not be involved in any way. Dorian tells him he wants him to do it because of Alan's chemistry knowledge. He desires that the body be reduced to ashes. He initially claims it was a suicide, but later admits to murdering the man upstairs. Dorian begs him to help, but Alan refuses. Finally, when he is certain he cannot persuade him, Dorian writes something down and gives it to Alan to read. Alan is shaken up by what he reads. Dorian threatens to send a letter to someone and damage Alan's reputation if Alan does not assist him. He apologizes to Alan for what he will have to do, but tries to comfort him by suggesting that he does this type of thing all the time for the sake of science, so it shouldn't be too bad for him.
Alan states that he needs to return home. Dorian will not permit him to go. He makes him write down what he requires and dispatches his servant to fetch the necessary equipment. When it arrives, he dispatches his servant for the day to go get some orchids in another city. Alan and he lug the equipment upstairs.
Dorian discovers at the door that for the first time in years, he has left the portrait uncovered. He dashes over to cover it. He notices that the hands have a red stain. He covers it and then walks out of the room without glancing at the body.
Alan comes downstairs after seven o'clock that evening and says it's finished. He declares that he will never see Dorian again. Dorian expresses his heartfelt gratitude, saying he saved him from disaster. Dorian runs upstairs as Campbell leaves and discovers no evidence of the body.
Notes
This chapter may reveal the most about Dorian Gray's psychology. He wakes up calm and pleasant the morning after murdering one of his dearest friends. He hates seeing the body again when he recalls what he has done. He feels no regret. He sends for an ex-lover (probably) and forces him, under pain of revealing their previous relationship, to dispose of the body so that no trace remains. He is not afraid to tell Campbell what he did since he knows he has power over him. He is relieved when he returns to the upstairs room and finds no trace of Basil Hallward's body. The painting appears to take on not only the appearance of a horrible person, but also the guilt of one. Dorian is completely ruthless.
