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Chapter 1

Text of Book

Chapter 1, page 1

Chapter 1, page 2

Chapter 1, page 3

Chapter 1, page 4

Chapter 1, page 5

Chapter 1, page 6

Chapter 1, page 7

Chapter 1, page 8

Chapter 1, page 9

Chapter 1, page 10

Chapter 1, page 11

Chapter 1, page 12

Chapter 1, page 13

Chapter 1, page 14

Chapter 1, page 15

Questions

1) What is this chapter mainly about?

2) The first two paragraphs set the scene, describing the garden surrounding Basil Hallwood's home in London. It is a summer day, with no breeze. Through the open door of the studio, Wotton sees and smells the flowers; he hears "the sullen murmur of the bees shouldering their way through the long unmown grass."

What does the word "murmur" mean?

3) Wotton encourages Basil Hallwood to exhibit the portrait of Dorian Gray, but Basil says he will not, explaining, "I have put too much of myself into it."

Wotton takes Basil's words too literally and says, "Why, my dear Basil, he is a Narcissus, and you well, of course you have an intellectual expression, and all that. But beauty, real beauty, ends where an intellectual expression begins."

What does the word "intellectual" mean?

4) What is the reason that Basil gives for not wanting to tell Lord Wotton the name of the young man in the portrait?

5) Describing his first meeting with Dorian Gray, Basil tells Wotton, "I had a strange feeling that Fate had in store for me exquisite joys and exquisite sorrows. I knew that if I spoke to Dorian I would become absolutely devoted to him, and that I ought not to speak to him. I grew afraid, and turned to quit the room."

What does the word "exquisite" mean?

6) Basil met Dorian at a party given by Lady Brandon, a woman whom Wotton also knows. When Basil comments on her "shrill horrid voice", Wotton uses a witty metaphor to describe her: "Yes; she is a peacock in everything but beauty,"

Based on Wotton's description, which of these characteristics does Lady Brandon possess?

7) Explaining his attachment to Dorian, Basil tells Harry Wotton: "Dorian Gray is merely to me a motive in art. He is never more present in my work than when no image of him is there. He is simply a suggestion, as I have said, of a new manner. I see him in the curves of certain lines, in the loveliness and the subtleties of certain colors. That is all."

What does the word "motive" mean?

8) At the end of the chapter, Basil's butler announces that Dorian Gray has arrived. Wotton is happy because this means Basil cannot avoid introducing him to Dorian, but Basil is not as pleased. Why not?

9) Were there any events that weren't clear to you?