The Picture of Dorian Gray: Character Analysis and Plot
Dorian Gray is the main character. He is a beautiful young man, full of beauty and youth, who eventually becomes a despicable man.
Basil Hallward is the painter of Dorian Gray’s portrait. He feels great attraction to Dorian and was a great friend until Lord Henry separates them. Basil is a cold being who only cares about his own desires. Dorian eventually kills him, blaming him for his destiny.
Lord Henry Wotton is an ingenious, intelligent, and influential man.
Sybil Vane is a poor and beautiful actress who has the misfortune of falling in love with Dorian.
James Vane is Sybil’s brother.
Mrs. Vane is the mother of Sybil and James. She saw in her daughter’s relationship with Dorian a promise to escape poverty.
Alan Campbell was Dorian’s best friend. He helps burn Basil’s body. Unable to bear the guilt, he commits suicide.
Kelso Gray is Dorian Gray’s grandfather and the intellectual author of the murder of Dorian’s father.
Margaret Gray is Dorian’s mother, who made the mistake of falling in love with a poor soldier.
Lady Agatha is Lord Henry’s aunt. She is very noble and married to Lord Fermor.
Lord Diego P. Vega is Dorian Gray’s servant.
Why doesn’t Dorian want to expose the painting to Basil?
He couldn’t because he had put too much of himself into the painting. Dorian does not want to expose the portrait because it shows his feelings towards Dorian Gray and he does not want to show it to the public.
How did Basil meet Dorian Gray?
Basil met Dorian at a party at Lady Brandon’s house.
Why does Dorian admire Henry?
Dorian admires Henry for his knowledge of life.
Why do Dorian and Basil argue?
Dorian wants the painting to age instead of him, not for him to be beautified.
What does Dorian tell Henry?
He tells him that he is in love with an actress named Sybil Vane. Dorian met her in a performance of Romeo and Juliet; she is 17 years old, with brown hair and a wonderful voice.
What does Dorian realize when he sees his portrait?
He realizes that the portrait has aged, fulfilling the wish he had made.
How did Sybil die?
She committed suicide after Dorian rejected her.
What does Dorian want to do with the painting?
Dorian doesn’t want anyone to see the painting, so he takes it to the highest room in his house and locks it away.
What happens to the painting?
The painting ages more and more.
When is Dorian’s birthday?
November 9 was Dorian’s birthday; he turned 38.
What happens to Basil when he sees the painting?
Basil was scared to see the painting. Dorian tells him that his wish has become a reality. Dorian becomes angry with Basil, takes a knife, and kills him.
What does Dorian tell Alan in the letter?
Dorian tells Alan that he has to destroy a body. Alan accepts and does so.
What happens to Dorian in the bar?
He sits in a bar where he is recognized by Sybil’s brother. Seeking revenge for his sister’s death, he draws a gun and tries to shoot Dorian. Dorian dodges the shot. Dorian escapes and disappears.
What happened to James Vane’s body?
Dorian went with his friends to hunt in the forest, where they found James Vane’s body, killed by a stray shot.
How did Alan die?
Alan killed himself.
What does Dorian realize?
Dorian realizes that he has destroyed many lives.
What does Dorian want to do with the portrait?
Dorian wants to end it all by destroying the painting. With the same knife that killed Basil, he pierces the portrait. There is a loud shout. Dorian kills himself.