The picture of Dorian Gray (Yuli Coronado)

 Reading report 3 

New characters

Mr. Ashton: Dorian Gray’s acquaintance. He was a merchant whose work was to create frame-markers in South Audley Street in London. 

Mrs. Leaf: Dorian’s housekeeper. He had worked for his family before he was born.

Summary from Chapters 8 to 13.

Days passed after Sibyl’s death when Dorian was having a conversation with Hallward in his residence. They were talking about his fiancée's tragedy. He highlighted he did not experience immense suffering. As he reacted  the day he received the news of her death, he acted similarly when talking to Hallward.  However he wanted something to remember her besides the experiences he lived with Sibyl. Thus, he suggested to Basil to make a drawing of her. He accepted, but he wanted to see the portrait he had painted. Unfortunately, Dorian did want to. He was ashamed of what had happened to his portrait. Minutes later he finally decided to show the picture. Hallward was astonished. The painting had changed. Dorian’s eyes and skin were unrecognizable. Therefore, Gray opted to hide the picture. Later on Dorian called his housekeeper, Mrs. Leaf, to give him the key of the room at the top of the house. As soon as he found the room he saved the key in his pocket. Then he contacted his frame-maker to carry out the painting to the room with help of two of his employees since it was rather heavy. 

When Dorian returned to his living room he realized that the book Lord Henry mentioned to give to him as a present had arrived. It was a yellow book whose story was about a Parisian that felt part of another century, he could not fit into the 19th century. He noticed it was a diary and felt fascination for it. As time passed, Dorian became another person. He ordered copies of the book, along with this decision he began to corrupt himself; surrounded by jewelry, music and parties. His painting also turned into something different. 

In his 38 years old party, Dorian was advised by Basil to not trust everyone. Many people desired to affect him because of his narcissist behaviour and life. Moreover he asked Dorian why most of his friends began to have health issues and financial crises, as he begged Gray to confess the truth of his actions. He answered Basil he would find his answers looking at his creation, the portrait. Hallward was horrified when he saw it again. Sadly, Gray killed him because he did not want him to tell the truth, so he did it for cruelty and for his own safety. That night Dorian escaped to his country state. However, he knew he could no longer live with the guilt consuming his mind, so he tried to destroy the painting with the same knife that he used to kill Hallward. He succeeded in his attempt, he killed the real evil in his soul by killing himself when he damaged the picture. His body lay on the floor with the psychical condition of an old man and the expression of  a disfigured man.