# The Picture of Dorian Gray explained — The Picture of Dorian Gray

> Chapter companion for The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.

## What happens

The novel introduces Dorian Gray, a beautiful young man, whose portrait is painted by Basil Hallward. Under the influence of Lord Henry Wotton's hedonistic philosophy, Dorian wishes that the portrait would age instead of him, setting the stage for his moral decline.

## Themes in this chapter

### Aestheticism and Morality

The opening chapters establish the conflict between the pursuit of beauty and the constraints of moral judgment.

### Influence and Corruption

Lord Henry's persuasive rhetoric begins to corrupt Dorian's innocence, setting the plot in motion.

## Character check-ins

### Dorian Gray

The subject of Basil's portrait, whose beauty captivates all who meet him.

### Basil Hallward

The artist who paints Dorian's portrait and becomes infatuated with his subject.

### Lord Henry Wotton

A charismatic aristocrat who introduces Dorian to a philosophy of pleasure and aestheticism.

## Key lines

> The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.

Resisting temptation is futile; the only escape is to give in.

_Lord Henry's hedonistic advice to Dorian, encapsulating his corrupting influence._

> If it were I, I would give everything to be young forever.

Dorian expresses a desire for eternal youth, foreshadowing his fateful wish.

_Dorian's envy of his own portrait leads to the supernatural bargain._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/the-picture-of-dorian-gray
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters