Dorian Grey Chapters 5 and 6

1) “When I am with her, I regret all that you have taught me. I become different from what you have known me to be. I am changed, and the mere touch of Sibyl Vane’s hand makes me forget you and all your wrong, fascinating, poisonous, delightful theories” (82).

It is obvious that Lord Henry is a bad influence on Dorian, but Dorian is now able to free himself of this influence. He is able to do this because of Sibyl, who makes him forget all about what Lord Henry has told him. Sibyl may be the opposite influence of Lord Henry, in that she may make Dorian similar to the way he was before he met Lord Henry. After Dorian says this Lord Henry responds by asking what his theories are on. Dorian mentions some of his theories are about pleasure, and then Lord Henry says that pleasure is the only thing worth having. Lord Henry was able to change the subject and instill yet another strange theory into the head of Dorian. Lord Henry is very skillful with his words, and will most likely win this battle of influencing Dorian.

2) “A strange sense of loss came over him. He felt that Dorian Grey would never again be to him all that he had been in the past. Life had come between them” (84).

This is what is running through Basil's mind after Dorian, Basil, and Lord Henry are on their way to meet Sibyl at the theater. When Basil first herd about the marriage he was shocked. He then asks Lord Henry if he approves of the marriage. Lord Henry, being the master of words that he is, says that he never approves or disapproves of anything. Basil then says, as he usually does, that Henry does not mean a word that he says. Basil is searching for disapproval in Lord Henry because that is what he internally feels. He is looking to feel the pain of this with someone else. Basil seemed to be jealous of Henry  when he stole Dorian from him, and now Sibyl will do the same. Lord Henry and Sibyl came between Basil and Dorian and it seems that the friendship between them will end. Dorian has been corrupted by Lord Henry, and entranced by Sibyl Vane.

Definitions: 

1) “You are quite incorrigible, Harry; but I don't mind” (81).

incorrigible: adjective- not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed

2) “As for the lives of one's neighbors, if one wishes to be a prig or a Puritan, one can flaunt one's moral views about them, but they are not one's concern” (82).

prig: noun- a self-righteously moralistic person who behaves as if superior to others