Chapter 12 analysis of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Summary

In this video lesson, viewers delve into Chapter 12 of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' where Dorian encounters Basil, who is troubled by rumors of Dorian's tarnished reputation. Despite Dorian's reluctance to engage, Basil confronts him about his questionable actions and their impact on others. As the tension escalates, Dorian, driven by a mix of anger and a twisted sense of joy, decides to reveal his secret to Basil, leading to a suspenseful cliffhanger that leaves viewers eager to discover the consequences of this fateful decision.

Takeaways

• 📚 The lesson focuses on Chapter 12 of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', where Dorian encounters Basil before his departure to Paris.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Basil confronts Dorian about the rumors of his questionable reputation, which he has heard and is deeply concerned about.
• 🏚 Dorian feels a strange sense of fear upon seeing Basil, indicating a possible guilty conscience or foreknowledge of Basil's intentions.
• 🧳 Basil's plan to leave for Paris is revealed, which later helps Dorian create an alibi for the events following Basil's murder.
• 🛋️ Dorian feigns indifference when Basil wants to discuss serious matters, suggesting a desire to avoid confronting his actions.
• 🗣️ Basil emphasizes the importance of one's good name, challenging Dorian's disregard for the rumors circulating about him.
• 😈 Dorian's denial of the rumors is met with skepticism from Basil, who believes sin is visible on a person's face and actions.
• 👥 The discussion touches on Dorian's negative influence on others, including the Duke of Berwick and various young men who have met unfortunate ends.
• 🤔 Dorian deflects blame, arguing that he cannot control the actions of others and that rumors are the product of hypocrisy.
• 😠 Basil's judgment of Dorian by the company he keeps and the outcomes of those relationships angers Dorian, escalating the tension.
• 🔮 The chapter ends on a cliffhanger with Dorian deciding to show Basil his 'diary of life', a decision fraught with potential consequences.

Q & A

What is the main event that occurs in Chapter 12 of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'?

In Chapter 12, Dorian Gray encounters Basil, who confronts him about his questionable reputation and the rumors surrounding his name.

Why does Basil feel the need to confront Dorian before leaving for Paris?

Basil confronts Dorian because he is concerned about the rumors he has heard regarding Dorian's behavior and wants to address them before leaving for Paris.

What is Dorian's initial reaction when he spots Basil?

Dorian experiences a strange sense of fear and does not acknowledge Basil, quickly continuing on to his own house.

Why does Dorian not want to have a conversation with Basil?

Dorian likely avoids Basil because he knows Basil will call him out on his actions and possibly discuss his reaction to Sybil's death, which Basil had previously found horrifying.

What information does Basil reveal about his departure to Paris that helps Dorian create an alibi?

Basil reveals that he has already sent his heavy luggage ahead and only has a small bag with him, allowing him to reach Victoria Station in 20 minutes, which later helps Dorian create an alibi.

What does Dorian express when Basil wants to discuss his reputation?

Dorian expresses indifference, stating that he loves scandals about other people but not about himself, and tries to avoid the discussion.

Why does Basil believe Dorian's good name should be of interest to him?

Basil believes that every gentleman is interested in his good name and that Dorian should not want to be spoken of as vile and degraded.

What is the significance of Basil's statement that 'sin is a thing that writes itself across a man's face'?

This statement suggests that Basil believes one's actions and sins are visible in their physical appearance, and he uses this to argue that Dorian's innocence is evident in his untroubled youth and pure face.

What examples does Basil provide to illustrate the negative impact Dorian has had on others?

Basil cites several examples, including the Duke of Berwick leaving a room when Dorian enters, the ruined reputation of a young man in the Guards who committed suicide, and the tarnished reputation of Sir Henry's brother, who had to leave England.

How does Dorian defend himself against the accusations of causing harm to others?

Dorian defends himself by arguing that people's actions are their own responsibility and that he cannot force them to do anything. He also accuses others of hypocrisy, suggesting that they are quick to judge but do not hold themselves to the same standards.

What is the turning point for Dorian in his interaction with Basil?

The turning point occurs when Dorian, in anger and resentment, decides to show Basil his portrait, which he believes is the origin of his shame and the evidence of his sins.

What does Dorian mean when he says he will show Basil his 'diary of life'?

Dorian refers to his portrait as his 'diary of life,' implying that it records all his sins and changes over time, which he is willing to reveal to Basil.

How does Basil respond to Dorian's offer to show him his 'diary of life'?

Basil is reluctant and insists that he does not want to read anything, only seeking a plain answer from Dorian about the rumors.

Outlines

00:00

😶 Dorian Gray's Encounter with Basil

In this segment, the video script discusses Chapter 12 of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' focusing on Dorian's chance encounter with Basil before the latter's departure for Paris. Basil, concerned about Dorian's tainted reputation, confronts him despite Dorian's initial reluctance to engage. The chapter reveals Dorian's fear and guilt, as well as his attempt to avoid an uncomfortable conversation about his past actions and the rumors surrounding him. Basil's concern is deepened by Dorian's reaction to Sybil's death, and he is determined to address the issue, setting the stage for a tense and pivotal moment in their relationship.

05:01

😨 Basil's Accusations and Dorian's Defense

This paragraph delves into the accusations Basil levels against Dorian, detailing the rumors of his ruinous influence on others, including the Duke of Berwick and various young men whose lives have taken a turn for the worse in Dorian's company. Basil's concerns are underscored by specific incidents and the societal repercussions Dorian faces as a result. Dorian counters by dismissing the blame and attributing the actions of others to their own volition, highlighting the hypocrisy of those who judge him. The discussion reveals the complex dynamics of their friendship and Dorian's growing resentment towards Basil's persistent moral judgment.

10:02

😤 The Climactic Showdown: Basil's Ultimatum and Dorian's Reckless Retort

The final paragraph of the script builds to a dramatic climax where Basil makes a heartfelt plea for Dorian to change his ways, expressing his desire for Dorian to live a life of integrity and to disassociate from the corrupting influences around him. Basil's confrontation reaches its peak when he questions whether he truly knows Dorian at all. In response, Dorian, fueled by anger and a perverse sense of satisfaction, decides to reveal his secret to Basil, the portrait that bears the burden of his soul's corruption. The chapter concludes with a cliffhanger, leaving the audience in suspense about the consequences of this fateful decision and the impact it will have on both characters.

Keywords

💡Dorian Gray

Dorian Gray is the protagonist of Oscar Wilde's novel 'The Picture of Dorian Gray.' In the video, Dorian is depicted as a man with a questionable reputation, whose actions and associations have led to rumors and scandals. His character embodies the exploration of moral decay and the effects of hedonism, as he remains youthful and beautiful while his portrait ages and becomes corrupted, reflecting his soul's degradation.

💡Basil

Basil is a character in the novel and a close friend of Dorian Gray. He is the artist who painted Dorian's portrait, which becomes a symbol of Dorian's hidden sins and moral decay. In the script, Basil confronts Dorian about the rumors surrounding him, showing his concern for Dorian's soul and the impact of his actions on others, thus representing the moral compass within the story.

💡Reputation

Reputation in the context of the video refers to the public perception and standing of an individual, particularly Dorian Gray. The script discusses how Dorian's reputation has been tarnished by rumors of his immoral behavior, which is a central theme in the novel as it reflects the societal judgments and the consequences of one's actions on their social standing.

💡Guilt

Guilt is a significant theme in the video, as it is suggested that Dorian Gray feels a sense of guilt or unease, which is why he avoids Basil. This internal conflict is a driving force in the narrative, as Dorian's inability to reconcile his outward appearance with his inner corruption leads to his tragic downfall.

💡Rumors

Rumors play a crucial role in the video's narrative, as they are the whispers and tales of Dorian's immoral actions that have circulated through society. These rumors are what Basil seeks to address with Dorian, highlighting the theme of how one's reputation can be shaped by the stories others tell about them.

💡Lord Henry

Although not directly mentioned in the provided script, Lord Henry is a character who influences Dorian Gray's moral decline in the novel. His presence is implied through the mention of his sister and his role in Dorian's life, representing the voice of temptation and the promotion of a hedonistic lifestyle.

💡Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy is a concept discussed in the video, where Dorian accuses others of being quick to judge while not holding themselves to the same standards. This term is central to the novel's critique of Victorian society, where outward appearances and moral judgments often conceal one's true nature or actions.

💡Corruption

Corruption in the video refers to the moral and ethical decay that Dorian Gray embodies. It is tied to his influence over others and the negative impact he has on those around him, as well as the physical manifestation of his sins in his portrait.

💡Sin

Sin is a recurring theme in the video, as it is the underlying cause of Dorian's inner turmoil and the source of his desire to hide his true self. The script discusses how sin is believed to be visibly inscribed on a person's face, contrasting with Dorian's youthful and innocent appearance, which belies his corrupt soul.

💡Alibi

An alibi is a proof or an excuse that shows someone was not present at the scene of a crime. In the context of the video, Dorian's alibi is mentioned in relation to Basil's murder, which is a pivotal plot point in the novel. It illustrates the lengths Dorian goes to protect his secret and maintain his facade.

💡Confrontation

Confrontation is a key event in the video, as Basil confronts Dorian about the rumors and the impact of his actions. This confrontation is a turning point in their relationship and the narrative, leading to a climax in the story where Dorian's true nature is revealed, or threatened to be revealed.

Highlights

Dorian Gray encounters Basil before Basil's departure to Paris, with Basil feeling compelled to address rumors about Dorian's questionable reputation.

Dorian experiences an unexplained fear upon seeing Basil, suggesting a subconscious awareness of Basil's knowledge of his deeds.

Basil confronts Dorian about the rumors, indicating a concern for Dorian's deteriorating reputation and actions.

Dorian's defensive reaction to the rumors, including his indifference to his own scandal, reflects his detachment from societal norms.

Basil's belief in Dorian's better nature is challenged by the mounting evidence of Dorian's moral decline.

Dorian's alibi is inadvertently established through Basil's information about his travel plans to Paris.

Basil's observation of Dorian's unchanged appearance despite his alleged misdeeds raises questions about the relationship between sin and physical appearance.

The list of Dorian's negative influences on others, including the Duke of Berwick and various young men, underscores the extent of his corrupting presence.

Dorian's denial of responsibility for the actions of others and his accusations of hypocrisy highlight his self-deception and refusal to acknowledge his impact.

Basil's argument that one can judge a person by the company they keep and the effects they have on others presents a moral dilemma for Dorian.

Dorian's anger towards Basil's accusations reveals his defensiveness and unwillingness to accept blame for his actions.

Basil's plea for Dorian to live a life of purity and to rid himself of negative influences shows his deep concern for Dorian's soul.

Dorian's decision to show Basil his portrait, a symbol of his hidden sins, marks a turning point in the narrative and a moment of high tension.

The cliffhanger ending of the chapter leaves readers in suspense about the consequences of Dorian revealing his secret to Basil.

Dorian's anticipation of Basil's suffering upon seeing the portrait and his own perverse pleasure in causing it reveal the depths of his moral decay.

The chapter's exploration of themes such as reputation, hypocrisy, and the visible signs of sin provides a critical commentary on Victorian society.

Transcripts

hi and welcome to mrs long's video

lesson on chapter 12 of the picture of

dorian gray

so today the chapter we're looking at is

the evening

where dorian comes across basil

and basil is about to leave for paris

but feels that he needs to speak to

dorian

um he's very concerned about the rumors

that he's heard about dorian's

questionable reputation that has

developed

and so as dorian is walking home

he spots lord henry sorry he spots basil

and a strange sense of fear for which he

could not account came over him he made

no sign of recognition

and went on quickly in the direction of

his own house

but basil had seen him and then goes

back and

confronts him now

i think the reason that dorian didn't

want to speak to basil is probably he

had an inkling

that he knew what basil once talked

about but also perhaps

because of his guilty conscience he

knows that basil is the person

up to this point has been the person

who's the only one to kind of call him

out

on his actions on his reactions

specifically we've even though it was

many years

before this incident in the book at

least we see

basil being the one who's horrified of

dorian's reaction to sybil's death

and so perhaps he just doesn't want to

have an awkward conversation about

something else

uh luckily for basil he he'd been

waiting for dorian and he was just about

to leave when daryn came home

now we get information about basil's to

plan departure

which helps uh us understand how dorian

is able to create an alibi for himself

at the end of the for the next chapter

coming

after basil's murder so he says i'm off

on the

paris train but i wanted to see you

before i left

and of course dorian tries to say well

don't you need to go and he says no i've

got heaps of time i shan't have any

delay because i've already sent my heavy

things on all i have with me is this bag

and i can easily get to victoria in 20

minutes so convenient later as well for

for dorian that basil's luggage is going

to arrive in paris anyway and then all

that

kind of his leftist evidence is his coat

and his carry-on luggage

right so basil sits dorian down and says

i need to speak to you seriously and

dorian

flings himself patiently on the sofa as

he's want to do

kind of a bit like a disney princess

when he's upset

and um he says i hope it's not about

myself i'm tired of myself tonight and

should like to be somebody else

this speaks to a little bit of wariness

on dorian's part

perhaps he's having one of his moments

where he's feeling

a bit haunted by the painting as was

described in chapter 11.

basil says there's not much to ask if

you diary and it's entirely for your own

sake that i'm

speaking i think it's right that you

should know that the most dreadful

things are being said against you in

london

now we've had hints of that in the

previous chapter as well that there are

stories circulating

about dorian but mostly stories that

people don't believe

because they can't think he could

possibly be responsible for those sorts

of things

however basil's explanations in this

chapter give

more credence to the

probable truthfulness of these so-called

rumors

the dorian says i love scandals about

other people but scandals about myself

don't interest me

another aphorism lord henry like but

obviously

he's trying to avoid having that awkward

discussion with basil

but basil says why doesn't your good

name

interest you every gentleman is

interested in his good name you don't

want people to talk of you as something

vile and degraded

um of course you have your position and

wealth but those are not everything

mind you i don't believe these rumors at

all

at least i can't believe them when i see

you sin is a thing that writes itself

across a man's face

it cannot be concealed if a wretched man

has a vast it shows itself in the lines

of his mouth

the droop of his eyelids and the molding

of his hands even

and so even basil has fallen into this

trap of superficiality and looking at

dorian

and thinking how can somebody who still

looks so perfect and unstained be

capable of such horrors he says you

dorian with your pure bright innocent

face and your marvelous untroubled youth

i can't believe anything against you

also i think basil is

more inclined to believe in dorian's

better nature because of his

initial obsession than he met dorian

when he was pure and unstained

even though he's admitted that dorian is

quite changed

when he talks about darwin's reaction to

sybil's death perhaps he still has a

little

hope that the dorian he once knew was in

there somewhere

right now we get some information via

basil and the khans of things that

dorian seems to have been up to

he says why is it that a man like the

duke of berwick leaves a room when you

enter it

that reminds us of chapter three

when henry fans asked that lord

sulby dorian's grandfather after he

arranged for the murder of his

of his um

his daughter's husband the the soldier

um for a while when the rumors were

taking place people didn't want to sit

with him at the club

people sort of voting with their feet if

they disapprove of something

why is it that so many gentlemen in

london will neither go to your house or

invite you to theirs

lord stavely curved his lip when asked

when you came up in conversation

and he said you were a man who no

pure-minded girl would be allowed to

know and whom no chaste woman would sit

in the same room with

he told me right before everybody it was

horrible

so here are rumors that dorian perhaps

ruins a woman's reputation

why is your friendship so fatal to young

men there was a wretched boy in the gods

who committed suicide

there was sir henry here to leave ashton

here to leave england with the tarnish

name

what about adrian singleton and his

dreadful end what about dawd kent's only

son

in his career what about the young duke

of perth

well this list is getting rather long

dorian's exploits

stop basil says dorian you're talking

about things which of which you know

nothing

now dorian's defense uh and it comes up

again

when he commits um different atrocities

is always that it's not his fault

so what he says now he says you ask me

why berwick leaves a room it's because i

know everything about his life not

because he knows everything about mind

with such blood as he has in his veins

how could he his record be clean

did i teach the one his vases and he's

talking about the other young men

and the other is debauchery if ken's

silly son takes his wife from the

streets what is that to me

if adrian singleton writes his friend's

name across a bull am i his keeper in

other words he's

um buying things and racking up debt for

his friends

what sort of lies do these people who

poses be moral

leave themselves my dear fellow you

forget we are on the native land of the

hypocrite

so his defense is that he can't force

people to do the things they do

if they're embarrassed to be around him

it's because he knows

what their sins are and also all these

people who chatter are hypocrites now

there's some truth in that especially

well in any society really people tend

to

have are very quick to establish the

moral high ground and

don't necessarily judge themselves at

the same

level of judgement they look on others

and of hypocrites

but it certainly speaks to the

elements of victorian society which

we've already seen

in our observation of the other

characters

basil's argument is that one has a right

to judge a man by the effect he has over

his friends

you all seem to lose all sense of honor

of goodness of purity you fooled them

with a madness for pleasure and they

have gone

into the depths where you led them i

know you and harry are inseparable

surely for that reason if one other you

should not

have made his sister's name a bar word

okay and at this point dorian it becomes

angry he says you've gone too far basil

take care

so basil's argument is that you can

judge a person by the effect that they

have so if everybody around you everyone

you

associate yourself with comes to rack

and ruin

there is an argument to be said for you

being the common denominator

and then when he talks about harry's

sister this has obviously hit a

a little bit of a sore spot with dorian

when you met lady gwendolyn not a breath

of scandal that ever touched her says

basil is there a single decent woman in

london now who would drive with her in

the park even if children are not to

live with her

and there are other stories that you've

seen creeping at dawn out of dreadful

houses

slinking into scars into the fowler

stems in london are they true can they

be true what about your country house

and the life that is led there

so there is this huge laundry list of

things that basil has had on his mind

that's been concerning him about dorian

and it's not just a one story

one isolated incident there seems to be

this

pattern of dorian's destruction and

his the different goings on in the

places

with the people he associates with and

so he says to dorian

i want you to leave a life as i'll make

the world respect you and have a clean

name

i want you to get rid of the dreadful

people you associate with don't shrug

your shoulders don't be indifferent

you have a wonderful influence let it be

for good not for evil

they say that you corrupt everyone with

whom you become intimate and that is

quite sufficient

for you to enter a house for shame of

some kind to follow

and then he references about a letter

that a woman wrote on her deathbed that

implicated him in the most terrible

confession

i wonder and then he says i told him

that was absurd but now i wonder if i

know you

so the reason basil is confronting

dorian

in this chapter is his concern for his

friend so he says i don't want you

to have all of these associations with

your name i want you to live a good and

stainless life

i wonder if i even know you at all he

asked them

before i could answer that i should have

to see your soul

now this is the sort of fatal thing that

basil says because it

sparks dorian to think well actually i

can show you my soul now dorian's anger

and resentment um for basil has been

balding

through arts this chapter of obviously

nobody likes to have their sins

put out in front of them nobody likes to

be challenged

in this way excuse that that's what's

all about

and so it's perhaps natural that dorian

is feeling defensive

but you almost then develop i'm sure you

know this if somebody accuses you of

something that

you're not proud of but it's true you

then also get a sense of righteous anger

so you can imagine that dorian is

becoming more and more incensed

so he says see my soul

and um he turns white from fear because

he knows that he actually has a visible

manifestation of his soul and basil says

yes but only god can do that

you shall see it yourself tonight is

dorian as he

laughs a bitter laugh of mockery come it

is your own handiwork why shouldn't you

look at it

you could tell the world about the

afterwards if you choose but nobody

would believe you

you've chatted enough about corruption

he says no you should look it in the

face

and so this is definitely a turning

point for dorian he's been saying

that there's no ways he's going to show

anybody's picture

but something in basil has sort of hit a

nerve with him and

you can see here he says it's your own

handiwork and he does

he's blamed basil before he says you

know you poor

you painted the portrait that made me

vain he seems to be transferring

blame again as is his want

on to somebody else and

it says that he felt a terrible joy at

the thought that someone else was to

share his secret and the man who painted

the portrait

that was the origin of all his shame was

to be burdened

for the rest of the life with the

hideous memory it's almost like he

thinks if he shows basil the portrait

then basil will bear the burden

and he can kind of maybe shoulder some

of it off onto somebody else

and interesting there that he refers to

the portrait as the origin of his shame

um basil

sorry again the bell it's break time

basil again says if you tell me that

they are true

just please like deny it i'll believe

you deny them

but the conversation has gone too far

now dorian gray says come upstairs basil

i keep a diary of my life

and it never leaves the room and which

is was written

and basil says no dorian i'm tired i

don't want to read anything all i want

is a plain answer

and lauren says well you don't need to

read anything

it won't take you long and so this

chapter ends

on a very uh tense note kind of

cliffhanger

we as if when you read the story for the

first time you shocked that dorian has

now decided to show somebody

his portrait is the source of all his

shame and the evidence of his sin

but of course we very soon find out that

he realizes he cannot do this without

very severe consequences and

so we left with this terrible fear of

what's going to happen this interest of

what is going to be basil's reaction

and dorian at this point almost taking a

sick pleasure

in what he's about to show his friend he

knows it's going to cause him suffering

but he's going to do it anyway