Dorian took his position by the window as Basil had asked. The afternoon sun made his golden hair shine like a crown. Lord Henry watched him with fascination. Basil worked silently on the portrait, adding small details. 'How long must I stand here?' asked Dorian with a smile. 'Just a little while longer,' said Basil without looking up. Lord Henry stood up from the couch. 'I think I will go into the garden while you work.' 'It is far too hot in here.' Basil looked worried again. 'Perhaps Dorian would like to come with me,' said Lord Henry. Dorian's eyes lit up at this suggestion. 'Oh please, Basil. May I take a break?' Basil sighed and put down his brush. 'Very well. But don't stay out too long.' Dorian and Lord Henry walked out into the garden together. The garden was full of beautiful flowers in every color. Bees moved lazily from rose to rose. They sat down on a long stone bench under an old tree. Lord Henry lit another cigarette and looked at Dorian. 'You have a wonderfully beautiful face, Mr. Gray.' Dorian blushed at the compliment. 'Don't frown like that. It is true.' 'And beauty is the greatest gift in the world.' 'Surely there are more important things,' said Dorian. 'No, there are not,' said Lord Henry seriously. 'Beauty is higher than genius. It needs no explanation.' 'It is one of the great facts of the world, like sunlight.' Dorian listened carefully to these strange new ideas. 'But beauty does not last,' said Lord Henry. 'That is the tragedy of it.' 'You are young now, Mr. Gray.' 'But one day you will be old and ugly and wrinkled.' 'Your face will become horrible to look at.' A shadow of fear passed over Dorian's face. 'You will suffer terribly when you lose your beauty.' 'Time is jealous of you. It will destroy your roses.' 'You have only a few years to live fully.' 'When your youth goes, your beauty will go with it.' Dorian Gray felt suddenly cold despite the warm sun. He had never thought about these things before. 'Why do you tell me these terrible things?' he asked. 'Because I want you to understand the truth.' 'You must live while you can, Mr. Gray.' 'Experience everything. Feel everything. Miss nothing.' 'A new feeling is worth more than a new idea.' 'Do not waste your golden days listening to boring people.' 'Do not try to help the hopeless or give your life to fools.' 'Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you!' 'Let nothing be lost upon you.' 'Search always for new sensations.' 'Be afraid of nothing.' Dorian's heart beat faster as he listened. He felt as if he was waking from a long sleep. Everything suddenly seemed different, more alive. The colors of the flowers were brighter than before. The smell of the roses was sweeter. 'Dorian! Where are you?' called Basil from the studio. 'You must come back. The light is perfect right now.' Lord Henry smiled and stood up. 'Your artist calls you. You had better go.' 'Will you come with me?' asked Dorian. 'I would like to hear you talk more.' 'I am delighted,' said Lord Henry. They walked back to the studio together. Basil looked unhappy to see them return together. He could see that something had changed in Dorian's eyes. There was a new awareness there, a new hunger. Lord Henry's influence had already begun its work. And Basil knew there was nothing he could do to stop it.
B1Chapter 2 / 20589 words70 sentences
Chapter 2: Lord Henry's Influence
Chapter 2 · 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 meets Dorian in the garden and begins to influence him with his philosophy about beauty, youth, and pleasure.
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What does Lord Henry say is the greatest gift in the world?
2
What warning does Lord Henry give Dorian about his beauty?
3
What advice does Lord Henry give Dorian about how to live his life?
4