The Picture of Dorian Gray #11: Chapters 15 and 16

"One's days were too brief to take the burden of another's errors on one's shoulders. Each man lived his own life, and paid his own price for living it" (194).

Dorian felt "the terrible pleasure of a double life" (179). In one life, he was the Dorian Gray who does not lose age or beauty. In the other life, he was the portrait, that bears the physical effects of his sin. Dorian seems to not realize that the portrait is a picture of himself. Beyond the colors and paint, the portrait was his soul, his conscience. Dorian Gray was actually leading a single life, but he did have two appearances. Dorian needs to realize that the picture is bearing his corruption and needs to take the burden of  the errors shown upon the painting on his own shoulders. If not, he will fall victim to his sin.

"there was no atonement; but though forgiveness was impossible, forgetfulness was possible still" (189).

Dorian earlier pondered that "The past could always be annihilated; regret, denial, or forgetfulness could do that. But the future was inevitable. There were passions in him that would find their terrible outlet, dreams that would make the shadow of their evil real" (123). Dorian said it himself that even if he tried to forget the sin he committed, his future would be inevitable. Without dealing with his sin, it is obvious that forgiveness is impossible. Dorian was right in saying that his evil would be made real. The painting was a representation of his evil. Dorian should feel himself lucky to have such a symbol that could help better himself and repair his bond with God. Instead of feeling lucky, Dorian felt pride. This excessive self-love has been perverted to contempt for others. Women now fear him, and men do not want to converse with him. Pride will be his downfall if he does not act.

Vocabulary:

"Isn't [Harry] incorrigible?" (183).

incorrigible- adj. (of a person or their tendencies) not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed 

"Lady Alice Chapman, his hostess's daughter, a dowdy dull girl"

dowdy- adj. (of a person, typically a woman, or their clothes) unfashionable and without style in appearance