The funeral of Dorian Gray was a strange affair. Many people came, but none had truly known him. They remembered his beautiful face and charming manners. But the body in the coffin was unrecognizable. It was kept closed during the service. Lord Henry sat in the front row, silent and thoughtful. He remembered the young man he had first met in Basil's studio. So innocent, so full of wonder at the world. Had his influence really destroyed that boy? Or had the seeds of corruption always been there? After the funeral, people talked. The rumors grew wilder and more fantastic. Some said Dorian had made a deal with the devil. Others believed the portrait was cursed. A few whispered about black magic and ancient rituals. The portrait itself was sold at auction. A wealthy collector bought it for a large sum. He knew nothing of its terrible history. He only saw a beautiful painting by a famous artist. Basil Hallward's masterpiece, they called it. The collector hung it in his grand house. Visitors admired the handsome young man in the painting. 'Who was he?' they would ask. 'A wealthy young man named Dorian Gray.' 'He died young. Very tragic.' If only they knew the truth. Dorian had not died young at all. He had lived nearly forty years. And in those years, he had done terrible things. The portrait kept his secrets now. Beautiful and silent, it revealed nothing. The corruption had been erased. The blood on the hands had disappeared. Only the innocent face remained. Years passed, and the story faded. Dorian Gray became just another name from the past. Lord Henry died peacefully in his sleep. He never told anyone what he truly knew. About the portrait. About Dorian's secret. About what happens when vanity becomes everything. The portrait still hangs somewhere today. Perhaps in a museum, perhaps in a private collection. People still stop to admire the beautiful young man. They do not know his story. They do not know what lies beneath the paint. They see only beauty. And beauty, as the world knows, is everything. Or so Dorian Gray once believed. Before beauty destroyed him completely. Before he learned that youth fades. That pleasure turns to poison. That a soul cannot be sold without a price. His story is a warning to us all. About the dangers of vanity. About the corruption of influence. About what we sacrifice for beauty. Dorian Gray wanted eternal youth. He got exactly what he wished for. And it cost him everything. His humanity. His conscience. His soul. In the end, he had nothing left. Nothing but a beautiful painting. And a body too horrible to show. Some wishes should never come true. Some bargains should never be made. For beauty without goodness is hollow. And youth without wisdom is dangerous. Dorian Gray learned these lessons too late. And paid for them with his life. May we all learn them sooner.
B1Chapter 18 / 20491 words70 sentences
Chapter 18: An Accident
Chapter 18 · 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
During a hunting party, a man is accidentally shot. It is James Vane. Dorian feels relieved that his pursuer is dead, but his conscience troubles him.
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
Why was the coffin kept closed during Dorian's funeral?
2
What happened to the portrait after Dorian's death?
3
What did Lord Henry think about when reflecting on Dorian's story?
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