The Picture of Dorian Gray: chapter 14

1. Why is the last sentence of the first paragraph important?

Because it is in stark contrast to the reality of what Dorian has done, that is to say Basil's murder.

2. “Poor Basil! what a horrible way for a man to die!” (p. 189) How does this sentence “feel”?

It is obviously free indirect speech, so we should attribute it to Dorian. It conveys the impression he does not feel responsible for or even involved in Basil’s death.

3. “When they met in socety now, it was only Dorian Gray who smiled; Alan Campbell never did.” (p. 190) What can you imagine that might explain this state of affairs?

Dorian may know compromising information about Campbell, they may have done wrong together.

4. Why can this be important?

We sense that Dorian has a certain power over Campbell, he may use it to get him to do things.

5. “They don’t interest me any more.” “How dare you ask me, of all men in the world (...)?” (p. 193) What do these sentences suggest?

The same thing: that Dorian and Alan have been involved in shady dealings together.

6. “It was suicide.” (p. 193) To what extent can Basil be said to have committed suicide?

Dorian is partly Basil's own creation, so he was killed by what he had made.

Furthermore, he insisted on seeing the picture, but nobody except Dorian can see it and live.

Finally, Basil saw his picture degraded, which means he saw his ideal destroyed, so his life was over in a way.

7. What new crime does Dorian commit p. 195-6?

Blackmail

8. What new crime does Campbell help Dorian commit?

Suppression of evidence

9. When Dorian sends his servant to a florist’s (p. 198), what effect does this have on the reader?

It may give the reader a feeling of horror.

10. What is new on Dorian’s portrait? (p. 199) Why?

There is blood, which represents the murder of Basil.

11. What does Dorian do before he lets Campbell in the schoolroom? (p. 199)

He hides the picture.

12. What does “the thing” (p. 200) refer to?

Basil’s corpse.

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