The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapter 16
Dorian goes to the opium den, following Lord Henry’s long-ago advice regarding curing the soul through the senses. Dorian sees opium as a way to forget his sins, and numb himself.
When he enters the dark and seedy den, a young man named Adrian Singleton is there. It has been rumored that Dorian had led Adrian away towards the path of corruption. Later, as Dorian is leaving, a woman addresses him as “Prince Charming,” which immediately gets the attention of a sailor. The sailor follows Dorian out to the street. Dorian is unaware of being followed, instead of musing over whether he ought to feel guilty over his corruption of Adrian. Suddenly, the sailor grabs Dorian from behind and cocks a gun.
The sailor is James Vane, Sibyl’s brother, who long ago vowed to kill Dorian in the event that Dorian ever did anything wrong to her. James has been seeking Dorian for many years, but does not know Dorian’s name, only the reference to “Prince Charming.”
Dorian argues that the man who hurt Sibyl must be many years older than he. Dorian points out that this is clearly mistaken identity, successfully arguing that James has accosted a man far too young to be the object of his hunt. James reluctantly agrees to the logic being presented and releases him. James returns to the opium den.
There, a woman tells James that the man, Dorian, had been coming to the den for 18 years, and had never aged a single day. James realizes that he has just made the mistake of letting his target escape. Dorian is already long gone.
Analysis
Dorian is comfortable, at home in the dark and twisted world of opium dens and lost souls. In fact, he needs the release of drugs, as both his mind and body display a need that is addiction. But even in the safety of the opium den, Dorian still “feels” that he is being watched by Basil, as a measure of paranoia sets in. Dorian is miserable. Further, Dorian seems to desire ugliness and filth now, as his depravity grows.
All debts eventually must be paid. Dorian fears that James is going to ensure that Dorian pays his debt, regardless of his deal with the devil.
