Dorian slept badly that night. He dreamed of Sibyl's tear-stained face. When he woke, he felt ashamed of his cruelty. He decided he would go to her and apologize. He would marry her after all, no matter what. He sat down to write her a letter. He filled page after page with words of love. He begged her forgiveness for his terrible words. Just then, his servant announced Lord Henry. Dorian put down his pen with a smile. 'Harry! I was just writing to Sibyl.' 'I am going to ask her to forgive me.' Lord Henry's face was unusually serious. 'Dorian, I have terrible news.' 'What is it? Is something wrong?' 'Sibyl Vane is dead.' Dorian jumped up from his chair. 'Dead? That is impossible!' 'I am afraid it is true.' 'She killed herself last night.' 'She swallowed poison at the theater.' Dorian fell back into his chair. His face had turned completely white. 'It is my fault,' he whispered. 'I said terrible things to her. I killed her.' Lord Henry sat down beside him. 'No, Dorian. You must not think that way.' 'She chose to do this. It was her decision.' 'Besides, think of it as a beautiful tragedy.' 'She died for love, like the heroines she played.' Dorian looked at Lord Henry with horror. 'How can you say that? A woman is dead!' 'Yes, and what a death. What a romantic end.' 'She never lived, really. She just acted.' 'And now she has played her greatest role.' Dorian was silent for a long time. Then something strange happened. He began to see the truth in Lord Henry's words. Sibyl had wanted a romantic life, and she had got one. Her death was like a scene from a play. 'You are right, Harry,' he said slowly. 'It is sad, but it is also beautiful.' 'I must not destroy myself with grief.' Lord Henry smiled with satisfaction. 'Good. Now come to the opera with me tonight.' 'Life must go on, after all.' After Lord Henry left, Dorian went to the portrait. Yes, the cruel twist was still there. The mouth that had once smiled sweetly now looked hard. His wish had come true. The portrait would bear the marks of his sins. And he would remain forever young. He should have been horrified by this thought. But instead, he felt a strange excitement. He could do anything he wanted now. He could experience every pleasure, every sin. His face would never show the consequences. Only the portrait would change. He smiled at the painting. 'Poor Sibyl,' he said softly. 'But you have given me freedom.' 'Now I can live as Lord Henry says I should.' 'I can experience everything, feel everything.' 'And the portrait will pay the price.' He covered the painting with a cloth. No one else must ever see it. That evening, he went to the opera with Lord Henry. He laughed and talked as if nothing had happened. Somewhere, Sibyl lay cold and dead. But Dorian had already forgotten her.
B1Chapter 8 / 20503 words70 sentences
Chapter 8: The First Change
Chapter 8 · 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 returns home and notices that his portrait has changed - there is a cruel twist to the mouth. He learns that Sibyl has killed herself.
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What was Dorian doing when Lord Henry arrived with the news?
2
How did Sibyl Vane die?
3
How does Lord Henry convince Dorian to accept Sibyl's death?
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