The Picture of Dorian Gray

Oscar Wilde shares his ideas about art, beauty, books, and the people who judge them.

Basil tells Lord Henry about Dorian Gray and asks him not to be a bad influence on the young man.

Dorian meets Lord Henry, sees his finished portrait, and wishes that he could stay young forever.

Lord Henry learns about Dorian’s family and takes him to the park after lunch.

Dorian tells Lord Henry about an actress he loves, and later sends him news of their engagement.

Sibyl dreams of love as her brother James leaves for Australia and warns her about her rich friend.

Dorian tells Basil and Lord Henry about Sibyl, and the three men go to see her act.

Sibyl’s poor acting makes Dorian angry, and later he notices a change in his portrait.

Lord Henry brings terrible news about Sibyl, and Dorian must choose how he will live.

Basil visits Dorian, who keeps the portrait hidden and asks the artist about his secret feelings.

Dorian moves his portrait to a locked room and begins to read a strange book from Lord Henry.

Years pass as Dorian enjoys beautiful things and hides his secret, while people tell bad stories about him.

Basil visits before leaving for Paris and asks Dorian about the terrible stories people tell.

Basil sees the terrible portrait, and Dorian’s anger leads to a violent crime.

Dorian forces an old friend, the scientist Alan Campbell, to help him hide his crime.

Dorian tries to act calmly at dinner, then returns home and goes out again to escape his fear.

At a place where people take drugs, someone calls Dorian “Prince Charming,” and a sailor follows him.

Dorian talks with Lord Henry and a duchess, and then a face at the window fills him with fear.

A shooting accident makes Dorian fear for his life, and he visits a farm to see the dead man.

Dorian says he wants to be good, while Lord Henry talks about Basil’s disappearance and Dorian’s youth.

Dorian looks back on his life and goes upstairs to see whether his portrait has changed.