The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapter 2
Lord Henry meets Dorian and notes that Dorian is indeed very handsome. He makes note of Dorian’s beauty and youth, in particular.
Basil wishes to continue work on the portrait, but when he asks Lord Henry to leave, Dorian asks otherwise. Dorian has already taken a liking to Lord Henry. Dorian’s interest in Henry is piqued when he comments that Dorian is too charming for philanthropy and then he leads Dorian into a compelling argument about the innate corruption in all forms of influence. Lord Henry even believes that there is no such thing as a good influence. He tells Dorian, “All influence is immoral.” He continues with a speech about the importance of self-development, lamenting further that humanity seems to have lost courage. Dorian feels that strong forces are at work, and he asks Lord Henry to stop speaking. Dorian does not want to think.
Dorian and Lord Henry go for a walk, while Basil remains in the studio. Lord Henry reminds Dorian of the glory of being young, admonishing him to understand that youth is fleeting. He advises Dorian to pursue pleasure and to enjoy life to its fullest by not sticking to conventional forms of entertainment. He suggests that after youth is gone, little else has meaning. Dorian is intrigued but is also frightened. Just then, Basil calls for the men to return to the studio so that the portrait can be completed.
Dorian is deeply moved by the finished portrait. He is immediately reminded of Lord Henry’s comments about his extraordinary beauty as well as youth, and he becomes concerned over the idea of losing it. He knows that the man in this portrait will forever look young, while he will age, prompting him to utter that he would give his own soul to be able to remain forever as young as the portrait’s subject. Fear overwhelms him, and he even says that he will simply kill himself when age overcomes him. He then repeats his wish to trade aging with the figure in the portrait.
Basil tries to comfort Dorian, but Dorian rejects this. Basil then says that he will destroy the portrait, as he will not allow anything to damage their friendship. Basil becomes violent all of a sudden as he grabs a knife and charges toward the portrait, but Dorian prevents Basil from harming the portrait and even separates him from the knife. Dorian protests as he claims that destroying the portrait would be murder. He then asks Basil for the portrait so that he could keep it for himself, and Basil gladly agrees.
Things settle down, and Dorian and Lord Henry agree to go to the theater together that evening. Lord Henry offers Dorian a ride in his carriage. Basil is not pleased, as he fears Lord Henry’s influence on Dorian. He implores Lord Henry not to influence the younger man further, but Lord Henry only responds by saying that he cannot even trust himself.
Analysis
Dorian’s introduction is replete with proof of Dorian’s handsomeness, through the specific description, and by the agreement of both Basil and Lord Henry. He is older than 20, but seems naive and innocent, if not a little immature, based upon pouting, petulance, and behaving like a spoiled child.
Lord Henry’s manipulative nature is seen on display, as it becomes clear that Dorian may be his next “mark.” Lord Henry immediately instills fear into Dorian over the natural process of aging. Basil's complaint that Lord Henry is manipulating Dorian is met with the claim that he is only innocently exposing the real Dorian.
We see that Dorian is easily manipulated, especially by Lord Henry’s ideas of how to live. Dorian’s loyalties are easily changed, as evidenced by starting the chapter as Basil's best friend, but then leaving as Lord Henry’s new pal. Notably, this occurs just after vanity has appeared, when Dorian realizes just how dashingly handsome he really is.
The premise of the story is also introduced here, as it is strongly implied that Dorian has sold his soul in order to get his wish for eternal youth. While the devil never responds here, the reader is left to wonder if Lord Henry might even represent the devil, or perhaps be a henchman. In any case, Dorian’s act of repeating his wish twice leaves little doubt.
