Dorian Grey Chapter 8

1) “There is a luxury in self-reproach. When we blame ourselves we feel that no one else has the right to blame us. It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution. When Dorian Grey had finished the letter, he felt that he had been forgiven” (100).

After seeing the portrait as a visible sign of what he had done to Sibyl, Dorian feels guilty about how he has treated her. The portrait helps show him what he has done so that he can know to fix it. Dorian uses the portrait's ability for good. After writing a long love letter he feels that he is forgiven, but he does not know the bad news that he is about to receive. When Dorian hears the news that Sibyl has killed herself he, at first feels terrible, but after talking to Lord Henry his feelings change. Lord Henry is able to make Dorian realize that his is not as tragic as it may seem, and he is able to influence Dorian because Sibyl is no longer present. For some reason Dorian says that he is not feeling as much pain as he would have expected. This may be because the portrait will take the fall instead of himself, or it may be because Lord Henry is changing his mind.

2) “He felt that the time had really come for making his choice. Or had his choice already been made? Yes, life had decided that for him–life, and his own infinite curiosity about life. Eternal youth, infinite passion, pleasures subtle and secret, wild joys and wilder sins–he was to have all these things. The portrait was to bear the burden of his shame; that was all” (109).

This is when Dorian decides what to use the portrait for. At first, he planned to use it as a visible symbol of his conscience, and a reminder not to sin. It was going to be a positive influence on his morality, but now he has made a new realization. After he learns that his love, Sibyl, has killed herself, he decides that he can use the picture as his free pass to sin. The portrait will take the fall that every sin he commits, and he does not need to worry about losing his youth. It is Lord Henry who gave him this idea about the necessity of youth, and he also inspired Dorian to live immorally. Now Dorian will is able to do whatever he wishes, and he will be free of the consequences. He can now follow the teachings of Lord Henry without resisting them. He said that Sibyl made him forget all about what Lord Henry said, but now that she is gone he again has control of Dorian.

Definitions:

1) “Did it merely take cognizance of what passed within the soul?”(109).

cognizance: noun- awareness, realization, or knowledge

2) “Was there some subtle affinity between the chemical atoms, that shaped themselves into form and color on the canvas, and the soul that was within him?” (99).

affinity: noun- a natural liking for or attraction to a person, thing, idea, etc.