The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapter 9-10

The dramatic change which Dorian's personality has undergone is much clearer in chapter nine. He even goes as far as to start quoting Lord Henry.  He states that "If one doesn't talk about a thing, it has never happened. It is simply expression, as Harry says, that gives reality to things." page 118. The fact that this is the response of which Dorian gives when Basil is simply trying to comfort him speaks volumes. It shows that he has a sort of detachment from the whole situation. Dorian comes across as being cold and somewhat callous. He tries to justify his behavior but his reasoning is severely flawed. The fact that he was able to go to the Opera and have a good time shows that his innocent nature has completely seeped away.

Chapter nine also shows that Dorian is not disillusioned about Lord Henry, that in fact he sees him quite clearly. Basil is berating him, saying that something has changed within him and that it is because of Lord Henry's influence. Dorian goes on to tell him that "Of course I am very fond of Harry. But I know that you are better than he is. You are not stronger - you are too much afraid of life - but you are better." In this scene Dorian acknowledges that Basil is the better person and that Lord Henry can not be trusted. However, it is also clear that Dorian has no intention to stop associating with Lord Henry.

Another instance of Dorian's cruelty is when Basil confesses his true feelings to him and Dorian's only response is "It was a very disappointing confession." That was an extremely rude statement for Dorian to say. Then once Basil leaves Dorian revels in the fact that he was able to manipulate him into revealing his secret while managing to keep his own. This shows that Dorian is turning into a manipulator just like Lord Henry. Chapter ten basically just describes Dorian struggle to move the portrait of himself to a location where no one may happen upon it. Then toward the end of the chapter Lord Henry sends Dorian two things, a newspaper story about Sybil's suicide and a book. Dorian is enraptured by this novel and the chapter ends with him meeting up with Lord Henry to discuss the book. It seems as if this book may have a deeper meaning throughout the development of the rest of the novel.