The Picture of Dorian Gray · Chapter
Chapter XV explained
Dorian Gray attends a dinner party at Lady Narborough's, maintaining a calm exterior despite inner turmoil.
What happens
Dorian Gray attends a dinner party at Lady Narborough's, maintaining a calm exterior despite inner turmoil. He interacts with Lord Henry and other guests, but his anxiety grows. After leaving early, he returns home to burn Basil Hallward's belongings and retrieves a mysterious Chinese box containing a green paste, hinting at his descent into further corruption.
Themes in this chapter
Vanity and the Double Life
Dorian's calm demeanor at the party contrasts with his inner horror, illustrating his double life and the pleasure he derives from deception.
Sin and Punishment
Dorian's actions—burning evidence and retrieving the box—suggest his ongoing sin and the psychological torment that accompanies it.
Characters to notice
- Dorian Gray
Attends Lady Narborough's party, struggles with inner turmoil, burns Basil's belongings, and retrieves a mysterious box.
- Lord Henry Wotton
Arrives late to the party, engages in witty conversation, and questions Dorian about his activities.
- Lady Narborough
Hosts the dinner party, expresses fondness for Dorian, and comments on her guests.
- Basil Hallward
Referenced indirectly through Dorian's burning of his coat and bag.
Key passages
“Perhaps one never seems so much at one's ease as when one has to play a part.”
People often appear most relaxed when they are pretending to be someone else.
Reflects Dorian's skill at maintaining a facade despite his inner turmoil.
“It is the feet of clay that make the gold of the image precious.”
Flaws are what make perfection valuable and interesting.
Lord Henry's aphorism about the charm of imperfection.