Back in London, Dorian tried to be a better man. He stopped going to the opium dens. He avoided his more dangerous friends. He even tried to do a good deed. There was a young village girl named Hetty. She had fallen in love with Dorian during his country visit. She was innocent and pure. In the past, Dorian would have seduced and ruined her. But this time, he had let her go. He had spared her from his corruption. He told Lord Henry about this at dinner. 'I have decided to be good, Harry.' 'I let the village girl keep her innocence.' Lord Henry laughed. 'How noble of you, Dorian.' 'But tell me, why did you really spare her?' 'Because I wanted to be good.' 'Or because you enjoyed the feeling of being good?' 'That is still just another form of pleasure.' Dorian was silent. Had Harry seen through him again? 'By the way,' said Lord Henry casually. 'Have you heard from Basil lately?' Dorian's heart jumped, but his face showed nothing. 'No. I thought he was in Paris.' 'He never arrived there. No one has seen him.' 'People are beginning to talk.' 'That is strange,' said Dorian calmly. 'I hope nothing has happened to him.' Lord Henry shrugged. 'Artists disappear sometimes. They go mad or find God.' 'I am sure Basil is fine somewhere.' Dorian changed the subject quickly. Later that night, he went home alone. He thought about what Lord Henry had said. Had he really spared Hetty out of goodness? Or was it just vanity, a desire to seem virtuous? There was one way to find out. He went up to the locked room. He had not looked at the portrait in weeks. Perhaps his good deed had made it beautiful again. Perhaps the signs of sin had faded. He lit a lamp and pulled back the cloth. He stared at the painting and cried out. The portrait was worse than ever. The eyes were cunning and cruel. The mouth twisted in a horrible smile. There was something new in the face now. A look of hypocrisy. The portrait knew the truth. He had not spared Hetty out of goodness. He had done it for his own vanity. To feel noble. To pretend he was good. The portrait could not be fooled. Dorian sat down in front of the hideous painting. He hated it now. It was a constant reminder of what he had become. As long as the portrait existed, he could not escape his sins. It held the evidence of his soul. What if someone found it after he died? Everyone would know the truth about him. The thought filled him with terror. There was only one thing to do. He had to destroy the portrait. With it gone, he would finally be free. Free from the past. Free from guilt. He looked around the room for a weapon. On the table, he saw the knife. The same knife he had used to kill Basil. It seemed fitting to use it now.
B1Chapter 15 / 20508 words70 sentences
Chapter 15: The Opium Den
Chapter 15 · 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
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.
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What good deed does Dorian tell Lord Henry about?
2
What does Lord Henry suggest about Dorian's good deed?
3
What does the portrait look like when Dorian examines it?
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