The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapter 8
Later that day, a letter arrives, from Lord Henry. Dorian sets it aside, intending to read it later.
Dorian continues to question whether or not the portrait has really changed. With trepidation, he pulls aside the cover and is dismayed to confirm that it has indeed changed. He fears that it has changed because of something terrible he has done. He believes that it must be because of how he treated Sibyl. Remorsefully, he drafts a letter to her. He claims that he was briefly out of his mind, and he begs for her forgiveness.
At this point, Dorian feels that he has righted his wrong. Even though the letter has not been delivered to Sibyl, he feels good about his action. His guilt is gone.
Lord Henry arrives, appearing concerned. Dorian expresses his intent to undo his terrible actions of the previous night, and resume plans to marry Sibyl. Shocked, Lord Henry asks if Dorian has bothered to read the letter he’d sent. Dorian admits that he has not read it. Lord Henry tells him that the letter was to inform Dorian of Sibyl’s death.
Lord Henry explains the events to a shocked, but not sad, Dorian. At the end of the night, as Sibyl’s mother was about to accompany her home, Sibyl committed suicide by consuming poison. Theater employees found her on the floor, dead.
While Dorian tells Lord Henry that he feels as though he is responsible for her death yet he is not saddened by it deeply and asks Henry why he feels as he does. Lord Henry simply urges Dorian not to speak to the police. Lord Henry suggests that the two attend the opera together that evening, to keep Dorian’s mind off of the matter. Lord Henry also speaks disparagingly of marriage, and how this is a better conclusion. He even says that if Dorian’s actions were indeed cruel, women prefer cruelty. He convinces Dorian that the best course of action now is, from this day on, for Dorian to live life to its fullest, selfishly and in the pursuit of, “wild joy and wilder sins.” Since Dorian’s portrait will be the only evidence of Dorian’s actions, Dorian may as well live life without guilt and remorse.
Dorian says that he’d thought these very things. When Lord Henry reminds Dorian that his handsome looks will carry him far in life, Dorian then considers Lord Henry his best friend.
Lord Henry leaves, and Dorian has another look at the portrait. It remains the same as earlier that day, leading Dorian to conclude that it changes as events occur. His thoughts range from wishing to watch the portrait as it changes, to feeling (brief) remorse for Sibyl, to considering for a moment the notion of praying to lift the spell. However, he decides that the spell is not under his control and that the idea of eternal youth is very appealing.
Dorian covers the portrait and goes to the opera with Lord Henry.
Analysis
While Dorian wrestles with his conscience, albeit lightly, his mentor, Lord Henry tips the scales in favor of ignoring his conscience and pursuing a selfish, carefree lifestyle. Dorian’s selfishness is so complete that he no longer even cares about the portrait, feeling very comfortable letting the portrait pay for Dorian’s sins.
Lord Henry continues to lead young Dorian astray. His guidance and his words indicate that he has no compassion for others, but merely wishes to manipulate Dorian, perhaps as an experiment, perhaps as entertainment, but certainly not for any noble reason. Lord Henry sees all as entertainment, regardless of the cost to any other person, providing an excellent example of selfishness to the malleable Dorian. He even revels in his ability to convince Dorian that even Sibyl’s death is a trivial matter, even a good thing. Lord Henry understands that this is proof of his own immense power to control Dorian.
