The Picture of Dorian Gray

Though Hallward wants Lord Henry to leave, Dorian complains that Hallward is utterly silent while painting so Lord Henry will provide welcome company. Though Hallward upholds that Lord Henry’s a bad influence, Lord Henry replies that “there is no such thing as a good influence […] all influence is immoral—immoral from the scientific point of view” (20). It is his belief that self-realization is the aim of life. If each person sought self-realization above all else, society could move away from medievalism. He believes that the idea of sin, which bears no truth, seeds fear in men’s hearts and prevents them from meeting their full potential. Dorian becomes very moved by Lord Henry’s words, which affect him physically. As Hallward paints, he’s amazed at how Dorian’s face expresses an emotion he has never seen on it before.

Dorian becomes so overwhelmed by emotion that he struggles to understand the paradigm shift occurring within him, while Lord Henry watches craftily. Dorian soon announces that he can no longer sit for Basil, and retires to the garden with Lord Henry in tow. There, Lord Henry tells Dorian that “Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul” (23). Irresistibly charmed by Lord Henry’s looks and his manner of speaking, Dorian feels that Lord Henry has brought life-changing insight to him in a way that Hallward never has, and he also feels ashamed for being afraid of the effect that Lord Henry has on him. Lord Henry tells Dorian that he must treasure and make the most out of his youth and beauty, which was gifted to him by the gods, a gift that will be taken away from him as he ages. He adds that physical beauty is the truest and highest form of Genius because it “needs no explanation” (24).

When Hallward finishes the painting, the trio agrees that it is a beautiful piece of art. But Dorian becomes despondent and filled with resentment because the painting will possess his beauty for all time while his own body ages. Hallward, sensing that Lord Henry has driven Dorian to crisis, tells Lord Henry that he should have left when he asked him to. Hallward says that he cannot bear arguing with his two best friends at once, and approaches the painting with a palette-knife. Dorian intervenes, crying that Hallward’s destruction of the painting would constitute murder. He feels that the painting is a part of himself. Hallward then reiterates his belief that the painting belongs to Dorian, who will become its rightful owner. Lord Henry tries derailing this decision, however, claiming that Dorian is a silly boy who won’t properly appreciate the painting, and that he himself should have it instead. But Hallward resists him. 

The next day, Lord Henry visits his uncouth yet cheery old uncle, Lord Fermor, who details Dorian’s history. Dorian’s mother was an extraordinarily beautiful Lady named Margaret Devereaux. Although she could have had any man she wanted, she eloped with a man of no social standing. Her father, named Kelso, paid off a Belgian ruffian to insult his son-in-law publicly. This ruffian did so, and then killed the man in an ensuing duel. Margaret never spoke to her father again, and died within a year of her groom, though not before giving birth to Dorian. Lord Fermor conjectures that Dorian should have a handsome inheritance from both his grandfather and mother once he comes of age, and Lord Henry thinks that this tragic backstory adds to Dorian’s appeal and beauty.

Lord Henry then travels to have lunch with his aunt, Agatha. While making his way there, he muses about both Dorian and Hallward: thinking Dorian full of potential and tragedy, and Hallward extremely singular and compelling in his new manner of art. He then resolves to dominate and possess Dorian. When he finally arrives at his aunt’s home for lunch, they’re joined by Dorian and a group of other notable figures, including Mr. Erskine of Treadley. The lunch party begins discussing a gentleman named Dartmoor, and whether he will truly go through with his engagement to a young American woman. The lunch party also discusses the trend of Brits marrying American women, who edge out British women with their Parisian fashion and confidence. Lord Henry also floats his theory that “to get back one’s own youth, one has merely to repeat one’s follies” (42). The company finds this sentiment delightful and scandalous. Dorian watches Lord Henry intently, “like one under a spell, smiles chasing each other over his lips, and wonder growing grave in his darkening eyes” (42). Mr. Erskine then invites Lord Henry to Treadley, so that they can further discuss Lord Henry’s views about privilege.

As Lord Henry departs, he says that he is going to the Park. Dorian asks to join him, and Lord Henry obliges. Although Dorian has promised to visit Hallward, he confesses that he’d much rather spend time with Lord Henry.