The Picture of Dorian Gray
A young man named Dorian Gray has his portrait painted by artist Basil Hallward. Under the influence of the cynical Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian wishes that he could stay young forever while his portrait ages instead. His wish comes true. As years pass, Dorian remains beautiful while the portrait shows the ugly marks of his sins and cruel actions. This dark tale explores beauty, youth, corruption, and the price of a soul.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: The Portrait
Artist Basil Hallward paints a portrait of the beautiful Dorian Gray while his friend Lord Henry Wotton watches and makes cynical remarks about beauty and youth.
Chapter 2: Lord Henry's Influence
Lord Henry meets Dorian in the garden and begins to influence him with his philosophy about beauty, youth, and pleasure.
Chapter 3: The Wish
Dorian sees his finished portrait and is struck by his own beauty. Fearing he will grow old, he makes a desperate wish that the portrait would age instead of him.
Chapter 4: Sibyl Vane
Dorian falls madly in love with Sibyl Vane, a young actress who performs Shakespeare at a small theater. He tells Lord Henry about her.
Chapter 5: The Vane Family
Sibyl tells her mother about Dorian, whom she calls Prince Charming. Her brother James is suspicious and swears to kill the man if he ever hurts Sibyl.
Chapter 6: The Engagement
Dorian announces his engagement to Sibyl. Lord Henry warns him that marriage will ruin everything, but Dorian ignores his advice.
Chapter 7: The Failed Performance
Dorian brings Lord Henry and Basil to see Sibyl perform. She acts terribly because real love has made pretend love seem false. Dorian cruelly rejects her.
Chapter 8: The First Change
Dorian returns home and notices that his portrait has changed - there is a cruel twist to the mouth. He learns that Sibyl has killed herself.
Chapter 9: The Hidden Portrait
Basil comes to comfort Dorian but finds him strangely calm about Sibyl's death. Dorian decides to hide the portrait in his old schoolroom upstairs.
Chapter 10: The Yellow Book
Lord Henry gives Dorian a strange yellow book about a young Parisian who pursues beauty and pleasure. The book fascinates and corrupts Dorian.
Chapter 11: Years of Sin
Years pass. Dorian collects beautiful things and experiences all pleasures. Dark rumors spread about him, but he remains young and beautiful while the portrait grows more horrible.
Chapter 12: Basil's Discovery
Basil visits Dorian before leaving for Paris. He confronts Dorian about the terrible rumors and begs him to deny them.
Chapter 13: Murder
Dorian shows Basil the horrible portrait. In a sudden rage, Dorian stabs Basil to death. The portrait now shows a murderer's hands dripping with blood.
Chapter 14: The Body
Dorian blackmails an old friend, Alan Campbell, a scientist, to destroy Basil's body using chemicals. Alan later kills himself from guilt.
Chapter 15: The Opium Den
Dorian goes to an opium den to forget his crime. There, a woman calls him Prince Charming. James Vane, now a sailor, hears this and follows Dorian.
Chapter 16: James Vane's Revenge
James catches Dorian and is about to kill him. But Dorian's young face convinces James that he cannot be the man who wronged Sibyl eighteen years ago. James lets him go.
Chapter 17: Fear
Dorian hosts a party at his country house but is terrified when he sees James Vane's face at the window. He stays inside for days, afraid to leave.
Chapter 18: An Accident
During a hunting party, a man is accidentally shot. It is James Vane. Dorian feels relieved that his pursuer is dead, but his conscience troubles him.
Chapter 19: A New Life?
Dorian tells Lord Henry he wants to be good now. He has spared a village girl he could have corrupted. But when he checks the portrait, it looks even worse.
Chapter 20: The End
Dorian decides to destroy the portrait with the same knife he used to kill Basil. When servants break down the door, they find a horrible old man dead on the floor. The portrait is beautiful again.
About This Novel
This novel is written at the B1 level, suitable for intermediate learners. Each chapter includes vocabulary words, interactive translations, and comprehension questions to help you learn.
Tip: Click on any word while reading to see its translation. Take your time with each chapter and review the vocabulary before moving on.