The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapter 5
At Sibyl’s home, she discusses her new flame with her mother and her brother. Sybil wonders aloud why someone as well placed as ‘Prince Charming’ would consider being in love with her. While Sibyl is excited and enthusiastic about her new love, her mother expresses reservations. Sybil’s mother had fallen for a nobleman in her youth but she had been betrayed by him as he had failed to make appropriate arrangements for Sybil and her brother upon his death. However, she is very willing to accept the relationship with Prince Charming if it turns out to be true that he is wealthy. Sibyl’s mother reminds her that she still owes the theater manager a large sum of money.
Sibyl, who is 17, has a 16-year-old brother, James, who is preparing to sail to Australia. He is a typical angry young man, upset with society, with his community, and with life in general. Sibyl’s mother is uncomfortable around him, feeling that he is suspicious of her. However, Sibyl is delighted when James agrees to go for a walk with her, where they discuss James’ upcoming adventures, and, of course, Sibyl’s new love, Dorian.
James says that he hates Dorian already, for many reasons, including that he is a member of the aristocracy. James further expresses his concern by stating—multiple times— that if Dorian were to ever do anything to harm Sibyl, he would hunt him down and kill him. As the two converse, Dorian passes in a carriage but does not see Sibyl (or notice the brother). Only Sibyl sees Dorian.
When they return home, James’ sullen mood inspires him to inquire about a rumor he’d heard. He asks his mother if she had ever married Sybil’s and James’ father. The mother confesses that no, she had not. The father is dead, but Mrs. Vane tries to defend his honor, saying that he was a gentleman, who had been prevented from making financial arrangements for his children by death. James is indignant and enraged. He demands that Sibyl never be told of this wrongdoing, and mentions to his mother that if Dorian, who he notes is another “gentleman,” were to ever wrong his sister, he will kill him.
Analysis
This chapter is very heavy on foreshadowing. The reader is privy to the contrast between Sibyl’s pure and innocent love vs. the impure and shallow thing that Dorian offers her. We see threats to kill, on more than one occasion, from the protective brother. We see that Mrs. Vane has suffered at the hands of her “gentleman” husband while being reminded that Dorian himself is one of these “gentlemen.”
Aside from strict foreshadowing, however, we also learn that Sibyl is indebted to the theater owner, for a substantial sum. Presuming at least some measure of poverty, one can assume that a wealthy gentleman such as Dorian would have the ability to wield unfortunately strong power over this vulnerable girl.
