For years, Dorian could not free himself from the yellow book. He read it over and over again. He bought nine copies, in different colors. The hero of the book became like a second self to him. Or perhaps Dorian was the hero, come to life. Like the character in the book, Dorian began to collect. He collected rare perfumes from around the world. He studied the secrets of their making. He collected jewels from every country. Rubies, emeralds, diamonds, and sapphires. He collected rare fabrics and tapestries. Silk from China, velvet from Venice. He spent hours playing music on his grand piano. He studied architecture and ancient history. He traveled to exotic places seeking new sensations. But he also sought darker pleasures. He visited strange places at night. He kept company with criminals and outcasts. Rumors began to spread about Dorian Gray. People whispered about his secret life. Young men who knew him came to ruin. Women who loved him ended in disgrace. But nobody could prove anything against him. His face remained as innocent as ever. Years passed, but Dorian did not age. At thirty-eight, he looked exactly the same as at twenty. His beauty remained perfect, untouched by time. Society welcomed him everywhere. How could someone so beautiful be wicked? The rumors must be lies, they thought. But Dorian knew the truth. Every few weeks, he would climb to the locked room. He would look at the portrait and see the changes. The face in the painting grew older and uglier. Lines of cruelty marked the once-beautiful mouth. The eyes grew harder and more cunning. Sometimes Dorian felt horror at what he saw. Other times, he felt a terrible pride. He had escaped the prison of age and consequences. The portrait was paying the price for his sins. He would stand before the mirror in his bedroom. He would compare his reflection to the portrait. In the mirror, he saw eternal youth. In the portrait, he saw the death of his soul. The contrast fascinated him. He grew more in love with his own beauty. And more fascinated by the corruption in the painting. Was it sin or conscience that made the portrait change? He did not know, and he did not care. He only knew that he was free. One evening, while dressing for dinner, he thought of Basil. He had not seen the artist in many months. Basil had grown worried about the rumors. He had started avoiding Dorian. But Lord Henry remained a constant friend. He encouraged Dorian in everything he did. 'The only way to resist temptation is to yield to it,' Harry would say. And Dorian yielded to every temptation. Eighteen years had passed since Sibyl's death. Dorian Gray was now thirty-eight years old. But he looked not a day over twenty. His eyes were as clear as ever. His hair still shone like gold. His lips were still red and soft. Only the portrait knew what he truly was. Locked away in the dusty room. It showed a face of horror and decay. The face of a monster pretending to be a man. But as long as no one saw it. Dorian Gray could continue his beautiful lie.
B1Chapter 10 / 20537 words70 sentences
Chapter 10: The Yellow Book
Chapter 10 · The Picture of Dorian Gray · B1 English. Tip: Click on any word while reading to see its translation. Take your time with each chapter and review the vocabulary before moving on.
Chapter Summary
Lord Henry gives Dorian a strange yellow book about a young Parisian who pursues beauty and pleasure. The book fascinates and corrupts Dorian.
1 / 70
🇬🇧English→🇬🇧English
Linked wordUnderlined wordOther words
Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What does Dorian start collecting, inspired by the yellow book?
2
Why does society continue to accept Dorian despite the dark rumors about him?
3
What does Dorian see when he visits the portrait in the locked room?
4