On the night before his thirty-ninth birthday, Dorian walked home. It was almost midnight, and the streets were empty. A thick fog had crept in from the river. Suddenly, someone touched his arm. It was Basil Hallward. 'Dorian! What luck to meet you here.' 'I was just on my way to see you.' 'Basil! It has been months since I saw you last.' 'Yes, I am leaving for Paris in the morning.' 'I will be gone for six months.' 'But I had to see you before I left.' 'Then come inside,' said Dorian. They walked together into Dorian's grand house. In the library, Basil looked at his old friend. 'You look exactly as you did eighteen years ago.' 'It is quite remarkable.' 'Thank you, Basil. You look well yourself.' Basil's face became serious. 'Dorian, I need to talk to you about the rumors.' 'What rumors?' asked Dorian carelessly. 'You know what rumors. The terrible stories about you.' 'People say the most dreadful things about your life.' 'They say young men have been ruined by knowing you.' 'They say you have driven people to their deaths.' Dorian laughed coldly. 'People will say anything to amuse themselves.' 'But Dorian, I cannot believe you are innocent.' 'Not with everything I have heard.' 'Tell me it is not true. I need to hear it from you.' Dorian's eyes grew hard. 'Do you want to know what I really am, Basil?' 'Yes. I painted you. I feel responsible for you.' 'Very well. I will show you my soul.' 'You shall see the thing that only God should see.' Basil looked confused but followed Dorian upstairs. They climbed to the top of the house. Dorian unlocked the door to the old schoolroom. The room was dark and cold. Dorian lit a candle and walked to the covered painting. 'You wanted to know my secret, Basil.' 'Look at your masterpiece now.' He tore the cloth away from the portrait. Basil gasped and stepped backward. The face in the painting was hideous. Deep lines of cruelty marked the mouth. The eyes were cunning and evil. The skin was yellowed and wrinkled. It was the face of an old, wicked man. 'My God,' whispered Basil. 'What has happened?' 'This is what you made, Basil.' 'You created the portrait. Now it shows my soul.' 'This is what I have become.' Basil stared at the painting in horror. 'It is impossible. This cannot be my work.' But he saw his signature at the bottom. 'Dorian, you must pray for forgiveness.' 'It is not too late to change.' Something snapped inside Dorian. A terrible rage filled him. Basil had created the portrait that haunted him. Basil had started this nightmare. Dorian grabbed a knife from the table. Before Basil could move, Dorian stabbed him. He stabbed him again and again. Basil fell to the floor without a sound. Blood spread across the dusty floor. Dorian stood over the body, breathing heavily. He looked at the portrait. Blood now dripped from the painted hands. He had become a murderer.
B1Chapter 11 / 20506 words70 sentences
Chapter 11: Years of Sin
Chapter 11 · 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
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.
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
Why did Basil come to see Dorian that night?
2
What does the portrait look like when Basil sees it?
3
What does Basil urge Dorian to do after seeing the portrait?
4