Dorian picked up the knife and looked at it. The blade still had traces of dried blood on it. Basil's blood from that terrible night. He had never cleaned the knife properly. He looked at the portrait again. The painted face seemed to mock him. It showed every sin, every lie, every cruelty. This painting was his confession. It would condemn him if anyone saw it. He had to destroy it tonight. But first, he paused to think. What would happen when the portrait was destroyed? Would the magic end? Would he suddenly become old? Or would the portrait simply stop existing? He did not care anymore. He was tired of living with this secret. He was tired of being afraid. The portrait had to be destroyed. Only then could he start again. He thought about all the people he had hurt. Sibyl, who had loved him so completely. Basil, who had been his truest friend. Alan Campbell, forced to help and then destroyed by guilt. James Vane, killed while seeking justice for his sister. And so many others he could not even remember. Young men led astray. Women ruined and abandoned. Lives destroyed for his pleasure. All of it recorded in the portrait. Every line, every shadow, every mark of decay. It was the diary of his soul. And now he would tear out the pages forever. He stood up, knife in hand. He walked toward the painting. The painted eyes seemed to follow him. They were his own eyes, but twisted and evil. 'You have haunted me long enough,' he whispered. 'Tonight, it ends.' He raised the knife high above his head. For a moment, he hesitated. The face in the portrait seemed to smile. A horrible, knowing smile. It knew what was coming. And it seemed almost pleased. Dorian did not understand that smile. But he did not care. With all his strength, he plunged the knife into the canvas. He stabbed the painted face again and again. The canvas tore with a terrible sound. Then something strange happened. Dorian felt a sudden, terrible pain. It was as if the knife had stabbed his own heart. He cried out in agony. The knife fell from his hand. He fell to the floor. Pain spread through his entire body. He tried to stand, but he could not move. His vision began to blur. The room grew dark around him. He could feel his face changing. His smooth skin was wrinkling. His golden hair was turning gray. Eighteen years of age and sin caught up with him. All in a single moment. His last thought was of Sibyl. Her young face, so full of love. Before he had destroyed her. Then there was only darkness. Dorian Gray was dead.
B1Chapter 16 / 20460 words70 sentences
Chapter 16: James Vane's Revenge
Chapter 16 · 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
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.
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What did Dorian notice on the knife before destroying the portrait?
2
What happened to Dorian when he stabbed the portrait?
3
What was Dorian's last thought before dying?
4