The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapter 1
The story opens in the art studio of Basil Hallward, a renowned artist. He is with Lord Henry Wotton, as Basil puts the finishing touches on a portrait painting. Lord Henry is impressed, calling it Basil’s finest work. He tells Basil that it must be displayed in a gallery. However, Basil refuses, saying, “I have put too much of myself in it.” Basil also refuses to disclose the subject’s identity, but then does so accidentally. Dorian Gray is the man in the painting. Basil explains that he prefers to not share the names of his favorite subjects, fearing he will lose something of them by doing so. He explains further that he has grown to love secrecy, even regarding things like travel: He does not like to reveal his destination.
Lord Henry seems to agree and understand but remains curious about why Basil refuses to exhibit such excellent work. Basil’s response is that such a painting reveals more of the artist than of the subject. He feels that displaying this piece would reveal too much of his own soul.
However, Basil continues, explaining that he met Dorian at the home of Lady Brandon. Basil was at first intimidated and fearful that Dorian’s personality and charisma were too powerful. But, Dorian has instead inspired Basil’s work so much that Basil is now creating the best work of his life. Basil fears, though, that viewers of the portrait will be able to see that Basil worships and adores Dorian. He also mentions that art should be created for the artist, and not for consumption by others. He disagrees with conventional artists who see it otherwise.
Lord Henry states that he’d like to meet Dorian. But Basil again refuses, saying that he wants even Dorian (and the rest of the world) to remain unaware of his obsession with Dorian. Lord Henry says that he thinks the intensity that Basil feels now will eventually fade, but Basil does not believe that it will.
Immediately after this statement is made, Basil’s butler announces the arrival of Dorian, to the great amusement of Lord Henry, whose wish to meet Dorian will now be granted. Before they meet, Basil implores Lord Henry not to change, or even take away, the person who Basil finds the most artistically inspirational.
Analysis
We meet two of the story's major characters here. Basil is a quirky artist, but a man of great skill. He is sometimes reclusive but is also very likable. And while he insists that he is free and independent, it is clear that Dorian wields a force of power over him. Basil has become dependent upon Dorian for inspiration, and Basil’s deep admiration of Dorian indicates an emotional bond, as well. Basil wants to keep Dorian for himself, as a jealous lover might.
Lord Henry is another character. He is manipulative, apparently enjoying the act of controlling people’s behavior through the power of suggestion. He is highly intelligent, dignified, and confident. He is somewhat pompous, with an ego that commands attention, and does not like to be proven wrong. Notable is his picking of a daisy, and subsequently pulling the petals from it. This foreshadows his penchant, which we will see develop, for destroying beautiful things for his own simple pleasure.
Also of interest is the “character” of Dorian’s portrait. This will play a pivotal role in the story and is thus introduced almost as though it were a living being. Note also that we “meet” the painting, before we meet Dorian the man. The reader can also identify the theme of art versus reality in these first few chapters of the book, as even Dorian seems to place a great amount of value in his portrait just as Basil will later do, preferring the company of the portrait over that of the real Dorian.
Themes are also introduced. How beauty does not last forever but has a correlation to power, morality, and the soul. Basil’s belief that those who possess beauty, whether physical or intellectually, has led many astray, as vanity has the power to destroy. In this first interaction of the three characters, it is easy to assign roles that the author discusses at length in the preface. Dorian becomes the subject of art, Basil adopts the role of the artist, and Henry is undoubtedly the art critic.
