The Picture of Dorian Gray · Chapter
The Hiding of the Portrait explained
Dorian Gray arranges for the portrait to be moved to the top of the house, a room from his childhood that he had not entered for years.
What happens
Dorian Gray arranges for the portrait to be moved to the top of the house, a room from his childhood that he had not entered for years. He reflects on his past purity and the corruption now represented by the painting. After the frame-maker leaves, Dorian locks the portrait away and later becomes absorbed in a poisonous book sent by Lord Henry, which fascinates him deeply.
Themes in this chapter
The Soul and Conscience
Dorian confronts the corruption of his soul as he hides the portrait, feeling his own soul looking out at him and calling him to judgement.
Vanity and the Double Life
Dorian keeps his youthful appearance while the portrait ages and decays, symbolizing his double life of public beauty and private corruption.
Influence and Corruption
Lord Henry's influence continues through the poisonous book that fascinates Dorian, leading him further into a life of sensory obsession.
Characters to notice
- Dorian Gray
Dorian orchestrates the hiding of the portrait in the old playroom, reflecting on his childhood and the corruption of his soul.
- Lord Henry Wotton
Lord Henry sends Dorian a note and a poisonous book that fascinates him.
- Mr. Hubbard
The frame-maker who helps move the portrait to the top of the house.
- Basil Hallward
Referenced as the painter of the portrait; Dorian recalls Basil's reproaches about Sibyl Vane.
- Victor
Dorian's servant who announces the arrival of the men and is sent with a note to Lord Henry.
Key passages
“He recalled the stainless purity of his boyish life, and it seemed horrible to him that it was here the fatal portrait was to be hidden away.”
Dorian remembered the innocence of his childhood and found it terrible that the portrait would be concealed in that very room.
Highlights the contrast between Dorian's past purity and his current corruption.
“The life of the senses was described in the terms of mystical philosophy. One hardly knew at times whether one was reading the spiritual ecstasies of some medieval saint or the morbid confessions of a modern sinner.”
The book blended sensory experience with mystical language, blurring the line between saintly ecstasy and sinful confession.
Describes the ambiguous moral nature of the book that fascinates Dorian.