The Picture of Dorian Gray: Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis

The novel opens in the gorgeous flower-filled rooms of Basil Hallward’s house. Lord Henry Wotton and Basil are together in the studio, considering the portrait that Basil has been working on, of a slim, handsome youth. Henry praises it very highly, but Basil says he will not send it anywhere. Lord Henry is shocked, and scolds that artists always wish for reputation and then never want it when it arrives.

Basil says he has put too much of himself into the painting to exhibit it. Lord Henry, not understanding, thinks that Basil is ridiculous for being vain, he is the plain artist, and it is the boy’s figure that provides the beauty, all vanity should be placed in him. Basil knows all this. They all have different gifts, his artistry, Henry’s wealth, Dorian Gray’s beauty, and all are curses in their own way.

Realizing he has given away Dorian’s name, Basil confesses that he hadn’t wanted to reveal him to Henry, but had wanted to keep him a secret. He thinks secrecy provides a kind of romance in his life. Henry comically likens it to marriage. Deception is necessary, he says. Basil tells him off. He doesn’t believe that Henry really means the cynical things he says. The pair walks out into the garden, and Henry brings up the sensitive subject of Basil’s reluctance to exhibit. He demands a proper answer. But Basil defends that his reason was true. The painting is one of the artist, not of the sitter. He is afraid that Henry will not understand his meaning. But he begins the story.

Basil met Dorian Gray at a party. He says that an artist must go into society occasionally to show he is not a savage. It is here that he meets the eye of Dorian Gray. The moment their eyes meet, Basil is filled with a strange sensation. He is immediately fascinated by the boy. He inexplicably felt that he was heading for some terrible fate and tried to escape the scene, but is called back by the host Lady Brandon. Basil suggests that it was cowardice rather than conscience that made him want to escape, but Henry quips that the two are one and the same.

Lady Brandon, a shrill, social butterfly, brings Basil around to meet some of the guests. Spotting Dorian again, Basil asks to be introduced, though seems to think that he and Dorian were always fated to know each other. They admitted this together later. Henry, knowing that it is a habit of Lady Brandon’s to give a colorful preface to each introduction, wants to know how she described Dorian Gray. The introduction is a mess. Lady Brandon mentions Dorian’s “poor dear mother” and then realizes she knows almost nothing about the boy. Basil and Dorian share a laugh.

Henry mentions that laughter is a good basis for friendship, but Basil teases that Henry knows nothing about friendship. Henry disagrees, he chooses his friends carefully for their good looks. He insists though that Basil is like a brother to him, although he seems to hate his relatives. He mocks his relatives for having all the typical vices of the upper class. Basil accuses him of always saying things he doesn’t even believe himself.

The subject turns back to Dorian Gray. Basil confesses that he has been spending more and more time with the boy and that Dorian has become “absolutely necessary” to him. He compares the arrival of Dorian in his life to the important era in the world of art, the appearance of a new muse or a new medium. Dorian seems to have taken Basil’s artistry to a new level. He tries to explain to Henry what the visual presence of the boy does to him but finds no expression superlative enough. Dorian has simply become the reason for Basil’s work.

Henry desperately wants to meet Dorian now. Basil explains that Dorian will probably not have the same effect for Henry, that it is a curiously personal thing. This is the reason why Basil won’t exhibit. He cannot bear the audience to know his secret passions. He believes that art should be beautiful and autobiography should be left out.

When asked if Dorian Gray has any fondness for him in return, Basil says he sees a certain affection in Dorian, but he may just be enjoying the flattery. Lord Henry comforts that it might be surprising how Dorian’s affection outlasts Basil’s. Dorian’s beauty is likely to change, and with those altered tones and shapes, Basil’s feelings might in turn alter. Basil denies that this is possible. Henry is too changeable to understand. But Henry thinks that it is this changeability that has made him susceptible to love.

Henry muses with great pleasure on the debate of the human heart. Life’s romances and tragedies are to him the greatest amusement, and he is very glad to have passed up a tedious lunch for an afternoon at Basil’s instead. He remembers then that he has heard about Dorian’s charms from his Aunt. Basil is glad he had not known at the time of Dorian’s importance; he does not want Henry to meet him. But just at that second, Basil’s butler announces the arrival of Mr. Dorian Gray. Henry is gleeful at the turn of events, but Basil becomes very grave. He wants Henry to swear not to take Dorian away or expose him to bad influences.