The Picture of Dorian Gray: A Summary and Analysis
Chapter 1
Basil Hallward, a talented painter, is visited by his friend Lord Henry Wotton. They discuss Basil’s new portrait of a strikingly beautiful young man, Dorian Gray. Lord Henry urges Basil to exhibit the portrait, but Basil refuses, believing it reveals too much of his own emotions and artistic soul.
Chapter 2
In Basil’s garden, Lord Henry continues to persuade Basil to exhibit the portrait. Basil, however, fears that the painting exposes his hidden feelings for Dorian, feelings he is unwilling to share with the world.
Chapter 3
Dorian Gray arrives at Basil’s studio for his portrait sitting. Lord Henry, intrigued by Dorian’s beauty and innocence, engages him in conversation. Dorian, captivated by Lord Henry’s wit and charm, finds himself drawn to the older man’s philosophy.
Chapter 4
The completed portrait is a masterpiece, capturing Dorian’s youthful beauty in all its glory. Lord Henry insists on buying it, intending to give it to Dorian. As Dorian admires the portrait, he recalls Lord Henry’s words about the fleeting nature of youth and beauty. Overcome with a desire to remain forever young, Dorian wishes that the portrait would age instead of him. Basil, sensing Dorian’s growing vanity, becomes angry and regrets painting the portrait. Lord Henry, amused by the situation, invites Dorian and Basil to the theater, but Basil declines.
Chapter 5
Lord Henry visits his Aunt Agatha, who reveals the tragic story of Dorian’s parentage. Dorian’s mother, a woman of noble birth, eloped with a penniless soldier and died shortly after Dorian’s birth. Intrigued by Dorian’s family history, Lord Henry invites him to dinner at Agatha’s house. During dinner, Lord Henry’s captivating conversation further enthralls Dorian.
Chapter 6
A month later, Dorian confesses to Lord Henry that he has fallen in love with Sibyl Vane, a beautiful and talented young actress. Dorian describes Sibyl with passionate adoration, and it becomes clear that he is completely smitten. He attends all of her performances and spends every day with her. Soon, Lord Henry receives a letter from Dorian announcing his impending marriage to Sibyl.
Chapter 7
Sibyl excitedly tells her mother about her engagement to Dorian, whom she refers to as”Prince Charming” Her mother, however, expresses concern about the hasty marriage. Sibyl’s brother, James, a sailor about to depart for Australia, is equally wary. He demands to know the identity of the man who has captured his sister’s heart and vows to protect her from any harm. James promises that if this man ever hurts Sibyl, he will find him and kill him.
Chapter 8
Basil and Lord Henry discuss Dorian’s marriage plans. Basil is disheartened by the news, but Dorian’s enthusiastic recounting of his love story softens his disappointment. The three men attend a performance of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, starring Sibyl as Juliet. However, Sibyl’s performance is uncharacteristically poor, lacking her usual passion and skill. Disappointed, Lord Henry and Basil leave the theater early. Dorian confronts Sibyl, criticizing her performance and declaring that he no longer loves her. Devastated by Dorian’s rejection, Sibyl is left heartbroken.
Chapter 9
The next morning, Dorian notices a sinister change in the portrait. The painted face now bears a cruel and unkind expression, reflecting the callousness he displayed towards Sibyl. He realizes with horror that his wish has come true: the portrait will bear the burden of his aging and sins, while he remains eternally young. Filled with remorse, Dorian writes a passionate letter to Sibyl, begging for her forgiveness. However, before he can send it, Lord Henry arrives and informs him of Sibyl’s suicide. She took her own life at the theater the previous night.
Chapter 10
Basil visits Dorian to offer his condolences for Sibyl’s death. He is shocked by Dorian’s cold and detached demeanor, sensing a disturbing change in his friend. Basil asks to see the portrait, but Dorian refuses, his behavior becoming increasingly erratic. He hides the portrait in a locked room at the top of his house, determined to keep his secret safe.
Chapter 11
Years pass, and Dorian’s beauty remains untouched by time. However, the portrait continues to age, reflecting the growing corruption of his soul. Rumors spread about Dorian’s scandalous lifestyle and the mysterious disappearances of those who cross him. Fearful of his secret being exposed, Dorian becomes increasingly isolated and paranoid.
Chapter 12
On the eve of his thirty-eighth birthday, Dorian encounters Basil. Basil, about to leave for Paris, confronts Dorian about the rumors surrounding his depravity. He pleads with Dorian to reveal his soul, hoping to find a glimmer of his former friend. Dorian, in a moment of twisted pride, decides to show Basil the portrait. Horrified by the grotesque image, Basil recoils in disgust. In a fit of rage, Dorian stabs Basil to death, silencing the one person who knew the truth about his soul.
Chapter 13
After murdering Basil, Dorian contacts Alan Campbell, a former friend with a knowledge of chemistry. He blackmails Alan into helping him dispose of Basil’s body, using a compromising piece of evidence from Alan’s past. Alan reluctantly agrees, and together they spend hours obliterating all traces of the crime.
Chapter 14
Seeking solace from his guilt and paranoia, Dorian descends into a world of opium dens and debauchery. In one such den, he encounters James Vane, Sibyl’s brother, who has spent years searching for the man responsible for his sister’s death. A woman in the den recognizes Dorian as”Prince Charmin” and reveals his identity to James. James confronts Dorian, but Dorian manages to convince him that he is not the man he seeks, claiming that he is too young to have known Sibyl eighteen years ago. James, momentarily swayed, lets Dorian go. However, the woman who recognized Dorian confirms his true identity to James, who sets off in pursuit.
Chapter 15
Dorian retreats to his country estate, inviting Lord Henry and other friends for a gathering. While in the garden, Dorian is startled by the sight of James Vane lurking in the shadows. Terrified, he stumbles back to the house. A few days later, during a shooting party, a tragic accident occurs. A man is found dead in the woods, shot accidentally by one of the hunters. The dead man is James Vane.
Chapter 16
Lord Henry and Dorian discuss the recent deaths of Alan Campbell, who committed suicide, and Basil, whose disappearance remains a mystery. Dorian, his conscience burdened by his crimes, asks Lord Henry if anyone suspects him of Basil’s murder. Lord Henry dismisses the idea, mentioning that the newspapers have attributed Basil’s death to other causes.
Chapter 17
Dorian was thinking about his exterior beauty. He had kept his youth and beauty, but he had paid a terrible price for it.
He was in the room beside the portrait. He took a knife, and killed the “picture”. He wanted to kill the past for be free, but the horrible dead man was left outside, and the young and beautiful Dorian, was left inside.o aquí!