The Picture of Dorian Greyhound by Eliza Garrett

Dorian is shocked and wracked with guilt, but Henry convinces him to view the event artistically, saying that the superb melodrama of her death is a thing to be admired. Soon, however, Lord Henry arrives, and informs Dorian that Sibyl committed suicide last night.

When he returns home, he discovers that the figure in his portrait now bears a slightly different, more contemptuous facial expression.ĭorian awakens late the next day feeling guilty for his treatment of Sibyl, and writes an impassioned love letter begging her forgiveness. Disgusted and offended, Dorian breaks off their engagement and leaves her sobbing on the floor. Dorian confronts Sibyl backstage, and she tells him that since she is now truly in love, she no longer believes in acting. They are engaged to be married until Dorian brings Henry and Basil to a performance, where her acting is uncharacteristically - and inexplicably - terrible. Dorian falls in love with the beautiful Sibyl Vane, a poor but talented young Shakespearean actress. Henry's influence has a profound effect on the young man, who soon adopts Henry's views as his own, abandoning ethical restraints and seeing life in terms of pleasure and sensuality. He fears that Henry will be a corrupting influence on the young, innocent Dorian, whom he adores.ĭorian and Lord Henry become fast friends, often dining together and attending the same social functions. They become fast friends, to Basil's dismay.

Lord Henry is fascinated with Dorian's innocence as much as Dorian is impressed by Henry's cynically sensual outlook on life. He passionately wishes that it could be the other way around. He becomes jealous that the picture will be beautiful forever while he is destined to wither and age. When Basil shows them the newly completed painting, Dorian is flooded with awe at the sight of his own image, and is overwhelmed by his fear that his youth and beauty will fade. The young and impressionable Dorian is greatly moved by Lord Henry's words. Lord Henry tells Dorian about his epicurean views on life, and convinces him of the value of beauty above all other things. Dorian Gray meets Lord Henry Wotton at the studio of Basil Hallward, who is using Dorian as a model for his latest painting.

The Picture of Dorian Greyhound by Eliza Garrett