Summary
and
Analysis
Chapter 1
Summary
In a luxuriously adorned studio, an artist, Basil Hallward, discusses a new portrait he has on display with a guest, Lord Henry Wotton. Lord Henry declares that it is the best of Hallward's work and suggests that he present it at the Grosvenor.
Hallward states that he has no plans to show it. Lord Henry cannot fathom why an artist would refuse to exhibit his work. Hallward explains that he has invested too much of himself on it to show it to the general public. Lord Henry is perplexed by this because Hallward isn't a particularly attractive man, although the subject of the portrait is. He mentions the subject's name—Dorian Gray—while justifying himself. He regrets slipping, adding that when he likes someone, he never gives their identities since it feels like he's giving them away to strangers.
Lord Henry links this concept to his marriage, stating that
"…the one charm of marriage is that it makes a life of deception absolutely necessary for both parties." He continues by saying that he and his wife never know where the other is and that she is always a better liar than he is, but she just laughs at him when he slips. Basil Hallward is irritated with Lord Henry because of this discovery, accusing him of posing. He goes on to argue that Lord Henry never says or does anything moral. Lord Henry warns him that the worst pose is to be natural.
Hallward returns to the portrait motif. "… every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not the sitter…" he says. The sitter just serves as a catalyst for the creation of the artwork. The painter, not the sitter, is revealed. As a result, he will not reveal his soul's secret to the public.
He recounts his meeting with Dorian Gray. He attended a party hosted by Lady Brandon. While going around the room, he came across Dorian Gray, " someone whose mere personality was so fascinating that, if I allowed it to do so, it would absorb by whole nature, my whole soul, my very art itself." He avoided seeing the individual he saw because he was terrified of his impact.
He attempted to leave, but Lady Brandon intercepted him and led him around the room, introducing him to her guests. He'd just displayed a piece that caused quite a stir, so his cultural capital was fairly high at the moment. He met Dorian Gray after a series of introductions.
Lady Brandon claims she has no idea what Mr. Gray did; perhaps he played the piano or the violin. The two men laughed at her and immediately became friends.
He informs Lord Henry that he will be painting Dorian Gray's portrait soon. Dorian Gray is now all of Hallward's art. He explains that in art, two epochal occurrences are possible: the introduction of a new medium for art, such as oil painting, and the birth of a new personality for art. The latter is Dorian Gray. Even when he isn't painting Dorian Gray, he is influenced by him to create extraordinary works. It's as though a new art school is sprouting up. Dorian Gray is his artistic inspiration.
He explains that he has never informed Dorian Gray how essential he is when explaining the art. He refuses to exhibit his Dorian Gray-inspired work for fear that the public will identify his bared soul. Lord Henry observes that bared souls are currently trendy in fiction. Hallward despises this style, arguing that an artist should make beautiful things without putting any of his personal life into them.
Dorian Gray is often incredibly pleasant to Basil, yet he often appears to take pleasure in hurting Basil. At such times, Basil believes he has sold his soul to someone shallow and nasty enough to treat it as a flower to adorn his lapel. Lord Henry thinks that Basil will grow tired of Dorian before Dorian grows tired of him. Basil does not believe it. He claims that Dorian Gray will dominate his life for the rest of his life.
Lord Henry instantly recalls hearing the name Dorian Gray. Lady Agatha, his aunt, has mentioned him in regard to some charitable work she performs, indicating he was going to assist her in the East End. Dorian Gray is abruptly announced. Basil Hallward requests that Mr. Gray wait for a moment. He tells Lord Henry not to exercise any influence over Dorian Gray since he is fully reliant on Dorian remaining pure. Lord Henry dismisses the notion as ridiculous.
Notes
The tone of the work is established in Chapter 1. It's clever, urbane, and sardonic, with only brief expressions of intense emotion that are then wittily hidden. Basil Hallward is the novel's illustrator. He appears to be head over heels in love with his most recent model, Dorian Gray, whom he regards as more than just a handsome man, but as an inspiration for a new form in his art.
His intense sentiments for Dorian Gray and the art that Dorian Gray generates are related to his sense of self. He does not want his portrait of Dorian to be displayed in public since he believes it contains a vital part of himself. That is the novel's seed. When the artist appears to be painting someone, he is actually painting himself.
Lord Henry is here to provide sarcastic relief and to provide aphorisms (short expressions of truth) that irony inspires. Oscar Wilde's trademark expressions are voiced by him. For example, he claims that " It is only the intellectually lost who ever argue."
One of his most famous aphorisms: " there is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about."
He recalls the luncheon he missed while lingering with Hallward. It had a charitable purpose, with upper-class individuals convening to discuss methods to help the poor, idle people discussing the dignity of labour, and affluent people discussing the importance of conserving money.
Basil Hallward has his own set of aphoristic life principles. He never informs people where he's going when he travels to keep his life mysterious. He never introduces people he likes to others because it feels like he's giving them away.
Chapter 2
Summary
They notice Dorian Gray at the piano as they move from the studio into the house. He expresses his dissatisfaction with sitting for his portrait to Basil. He is humiliated when he sees Lord Henry. Basil tries to persuade Lord Henry to go, but Dorian invites him to stay and converse with him as he poses for the portrait. Basil, he adds, never speaks or listens when he paints. Lord Henry consents to stay.
They talk about Dorian's philanthropic endeavours. Lord Henry believes he is too charming to do such a thing. Dorian wonders if Lord Henry will be as dreadful an influence on him as Basil believes. Lord Henry believes that all influence is corrupting since the individual who is influenced no longer thinks with his or her own views. He believes that the goal of life is self-development.
He dislikes philanthropy because it causes individuals to overlook their own needs. They clothe the destitute while their own souls go hungry. According to Lord Henry, only fear governs society. The secret of religion is God's dread, and society's terror is the foundation of morals. The world would be rejuvenated by a new impulse of delight if individuals lived their lives fully, giving form to every sensation and expression to every thought. He urges Dorian not to run from his childish fears.
Dorian grows agitated and requests that he stop talking so that he can deal with everything he has said. He remains still for ten minutes. He realizes he is being heavily influenced. He instantly grasps concepts he had previously overlooked.
Lord Henry is mesmerized by him. He recalls reading a book when he was sixteen and being profoundly impressed. He wonders if his odd comments are influencing Dorian Gray in this way. Hallward continues to paint not paying attention to the conversation.
Dorian requests a break. Basil apologizes for keeping him standing for so long. He's delighted about the portrait he's painting and thanks Dorian for staying absolutely still so he could achieve the effect he desired. He claims not to have heard the exchange, but he hopes Dorian will not listen to whatever Lord Henry says.
While Basil works on the background of the portrait in the studio, Lord Henry and Dorian go outside into the garden. Dorian smells a flower. Lord Henry informs him that he is doing exactly what he should be doing because the senses are the only way to cure the soul.
They start to walk, and Dorian Gray is upset. He is terrified of Lord Henry's power. Lord Henry invites him to come sit in the shade to prevent becoming sunburned and destroying his attractiveness. Dorian is perplexed as to why this is significant. Lord Henry reminds him that it is more important than anything else because his youth is his greatest asset and will leave him soon.
As they sat down, he urges Dorian to embrace his youth while he still has it. He should not sacrifice his life for the "ignorant, common, and vulgar." He believes that the age requires a new Hedonism (pursuit of pleasure as the greatest goal in life). Its visual icon may be Dorian Gray.
Dorian Gray is paying close attention. Basil appears out of nowhere to take them. He claims he's ready to resume working on the portrait. Lord Henry sits inside and watches Basil paint. Basil declares that the painting is finished after barely a quarter of an hour. Lord Henry declares it to be his finest work and offers to purchase it. Basil states that it's Dorian's painting.
Dorian recognizes, as Lord Henry has been telling him, that he is attractive when he looks at it. He'd never taken it seriously before. He now understands what Lord Henry meant when he said that youth is fleeting. He understands that the picture will always be lovely, but he will not. He wishes it were the other way around.
He accuses Basil of preferring his own art over those of his friends. Basil is taken aback by Dorian's transformation. He informs him that their friendship is more important to him than anything else. Dorian is so depressed that he threatens to commit suicide the instant he finds he's becoming old.
Basil turns to Lord Henry and blames him. Then he realizes he's disputing with his two greatest friends and declares that he'll smash the picture to settle the debate. To stop him, Dorian pulls the knife away from him. He tells Basil that he adores the portrait and considers it a part of himself.
The butler gives the men tea, and they sit down to enjoy it. Lord Henry suggests they go to the theatre that evening. Basil declines the invitation, but Dorian accepts. When they are ready to go, Basil urges Lord Henry to recall what he asked him in the studio before they went in to see Dorian. Lord Henry shrugs and says he doesn't trust himself, so Basil shouldn't attempt.
Notes
Beauty exists just for a brief moment. This chapter's theme is also one of the novel's key themes. Dorian Gray is introduced as a self-assured beauty. Throughout this chapter, he becomes self-aware. When he sees himself in Basil Hallward's picture, he recognizes his own attractiveness. Lord Henry prepares him for this recognition in the garden by urging him to spend his time on youthful pursuits rather than philanthropy and warning him that his youth is his best gift and that it will not remain. All of Basil Hallward's suspicions about Lord Henry influencing Dorian Gray appear to have come true.
