The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapter 3
The following afternoon, Lord Henry asks his uncle, Lord Fermor, about Dorian’s past. The elderly Lord Fermor seems to know everything about everyone. He is happy to oblige Lord Henry’s request, so he explains that Dorian is the grandson of Lord Kelso. Lord Kelso’s beautiful daughter (Dorian’s mother, known as Lady Margaret)) had married a soldier. Lord Kelso did not approve, as the soldier was of low status. Lord Kelso hired somebody to challenge the soldier to a duel, and the soldier lost. A few months later, Dorian was born. A few months later, Lady Margaret died.
Lord Kelso has since died but left a fortune to Dorian, which only added to the substantial amount of money Dorian’s mother had left him.
Lord Henry is intrigued by the sordid history and recognizes an excellent opportunity to wield influence over this wealthy young orphan.
He leaves Lord Fermor’s place to go to his Aunt Agatha’s home for lunch. Dorian is there as well, and Lord Henry takes the opportunity for showmanship, dominating the affair with his witticisms. He extols the virtues of Hedonism while mocking the charitable work that his aunt engages in. His audience is delighted, though. At one point, he mentions to an aging dutchess that the secret to regaining lost youth is to simply repeat one’s mistakes. Dorian is intrigued even further by Lord Henry’s pontification, and the two leave together at the end of the lunch.
Analysis:
In learning Dorian’s background, we gather that his tragic history may leave him vulnerable, particularly to a predatory man such as Lord Henry. We also see that the relationship between Dorian and Lord Henry is growing further entwined, as Dorian becomes more smitten with Lord Henry’s radical ideas, and Lord Henry recognizes the opportunity to influence Dorian. It is clear that Lord Henry has every intention of manipulating and influencing young Dorian, ironic as these behaviors are in direct contradiction to what Lord Henry preaches.
Also of note is that Dorian chooses to go with Lord Henry, rather than maintaining his previous appointment with Basil.
