The picture of Dorian Gray – a summary

The main character of the novel is Dorian Gray, a very handsome young man, who
has his picture painted by an artist called Basil Hallward. Basil introduces Dorian to his
best friend, Lord Henry Wotton and they become very good friends. The meeting
between Dorian and Lord Wotton will change Dorian's life. When Dorian sees his
picture he wishes it could grow old instead of him and that he could remain young for
ever.

Dorian is Lord Kelso's grandson. He inherited his beauty from his mother, Margaret
Devereaux. A month later, Dorian confesses to Henry he has fallen in love with a
young actress named Sibyl Vane. Through a telegram Dorian announces his friends he
is engaged to Sibyl. She has a brother, James, who leaves for Australia and who
swears that if "Prince Char
ming", as Sibyl calls Dorian, betrays her, he will kill him. Basil and Henry decide to
meet Dorian's future wife. Due to the excitement of the future wedding, Sibyl plays
badly, making Dorian give up everything they had shared as a couple, telling her she
has dissapointed him, that she has killed his love with her lousy actting.

When Dorian Gray comes home he notices a change in his picture and remembers
the request made in Basil's studio. The next day he receives a letter from Harry but
he doesn't read it. He thinks of writing Sibyl a letter to reconcile with her, without
knowing she had killed herself. Basil pays him a visit but he doesn't allow him to see
the painting. The latter confesses Dorian he loves him but he doesn't say anything. He
moves the painting in an inhabited room. Harry sends him the novel "A Rebours" by
Huysman, which will influence his life from now on.

He has a double life, through the lowest slums of London, destroying everything in his
way. On the other hand, he collects jewelleries, embroideries. The day he turns 38
years old, he kills Basil after previously he has shown him the picture. He does
everything that stands in his way to hide the traces of his killing, with the help of Alan
Campbell.

James Vane wants to kill him but he realises he can't do that as Dorian is too young to
have killed his sister 18 years ago. A woman tell him Dorian is guilty but he can't grow
old. Sir Geoffrey, one of his friends, kills James by mistake. When Dorian meets Hetty
Merton he decides to become a good man.

He watches the picture again, hoping it has changed, but it had become repellent. He
takes the knife he had killed Basil with and kills himself. They find an old man, lying
on the floor, who they recognize as Dorian Gray only after his rings. Instead the
picture had never been more beautiful.

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Summary written by Herminne Tonita for FamousWhy.com
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