Chapter 1: The Portrait

The studio was filled with the rich smell of roses. Light summer wind moved through the trees in the garden outside. Lord Henry Wotton lay on a silk couch, smoking a cigarette. He watched his friend Basil Hallward working on a large painting. The painting showed a young man of extraordinary beauty. 'This is your best work, Basil,' said Lord Henry lazily. 'You must send it to the best gallery in London.' Basil shook his head and stepped back from his painting. 'No, Harry. I will never show this painting in public.' Lord Henry raised his eyebrows in surprise. 'Why not? It could make you famous.' 'I have put too much of myself into it,' said Basil quietly. Lord Henry laughed and sat up on the couch. 'Too much of yourself? I don't understand.' 'Every portrait painted with feeling is really a portrait of the artist.' 'The subject is just an accident, an occasion.' Lord Henry looked at the painting again with interest. The young man in the picture had golden hair and blue eyes. His face was perfectly beautiful, like a Greek statue. 'Who is this young man?' asked Lord Henry. 'His name is Dorian Gray,' answered Basil. 'I met him at a party about two months ago.' 'When I first saw him, I felt a strange fear.' 'I knew that this person could change my whole life.' Lord Henry smiled at his friend's dramatic words. 'How interesting. You were afraid of a beautiful young man.' 'Not afraid exactly. I felt that I was on the edge of a crisis.' 'Something in his beauty told me that I must know him.' 'So you went and talked to him,' said Lord Henry. 'No, actually I tried to leave the party quickly.' 'But our hostess introduced us as I was leaving.' 'We both laughed when she called me a famous artist.' 'From that moment, we became close friends.' Lord Henry stood up and walked to the window. He looked out at the garden full of flowers. 'I must meet this Dorian Gray,' he said. Basil looked worried for a moment. 'I don't think that would be a good idea, Harry.' 'Why ever not?' 'Your influence would be bad for him.' 'All influence is bad,' said Lord Henry with a smile. 'To influence someone is to give them your own soul.' 'They no longer think their own thoughts or feel their own feelings.' 'That is exactly what I am worried about,' said Basil. 'Dorian is young and innocent. He must stay that way.' A servant knocked on the studio door. 'Mr. Dorian Gray is here to see you, sir.' Basil's face changed immediately. 'Please, Harry, you must leave now,' he whispered. But Lord Henry just laughed and sat down again. 'I insist on being introduced.' Basil sighed and told the servant to let Dorian in. The door opened, and a young man entered the room. Lord Henry looked at him with great curiosity. Dorian Gray was even more beautiful than his portrait. There was something delicate and pure in his face. He seemed completely untouched by the world. 'I am so sorry I am late, Basil,' said Dorian with a smile. His voice was soft and musical. 'Dorian, this is my friend Lord Henry Wotton,' said Basil. Dorian turned and shook Lord Henry's hand warmly. 'Basil has told me all about you.' 'I hope he has not said anything bad about me,' said Lord Henry. 'Actually, he did say that you were a terrible influence,' Dorian replied. Lord Henry laughed loudly at this. 'He only says that because I tell the truth.' 'And in polite society, the truth is never welcome.' Basil picked up his brush nervously. 'We should get back to work, Dorian.' 'Please take your position by the window.'

Chapter Summary

Comprehension Questions

Where does the first chapter take place?

Why does Basil refuse to show the portrait in public?

Why is Basil worried about Lord Henry meeting Dorian?

What does Lord Henry mean when he says 'to influence someone is to give them your own soul'?

Vocabulary

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