Chapter 8

Text of Book

Chapter 8, page 1

Chapter 8, page 2

Chapter 8, page 3

Chapter 8, page 4

Chapter 8, page 5

Chapter 8, page 6

Chapter 8, page 7

Chapter 8, page 8

Chapter 8, page 9

Chapter 8, page 10

Chapter 8, page 11

Questions

1)	What is the main idea of this chapter?

2)	Dorian wonders what his manservant knows about the portrait: "It seemed to him that as the man left the room he peered in the direction of the screen. Or was that only his fancy?" What does "peered" mean?

3)	Dorian asks that the housekeeper, Mrs. Leaf, be sent for. How long has Dorian known Mrs. Leaf?

4)

Dorian begins to regret not having been more honest with Basil. He recognizes the difference between Basil's friendship and Harry Wotton's: "Basil would have helped him to resist Lord Henry's influence, and the still more poisonous influences that came from his own temperament. The love that he bore him––for it was really love––had something noble and intellectual in it." What does "bore" mean?

5)

One of the men who has helped to carry the portrait to the upstairs room asks to see it. Dorian refuses, becoming upset: "It would not interest you, Mr. Ashton," he said, keeping his eye on the man. He felt ready to leap upon him and fling him to the ground if he dared to lift the gorgeous hanging that concealed the secret of his life." What does "fling" mean?

6)	After the portrait has been locked away, how does Dorian feel?

7)

Dorian begins to read the book that Harry Wotton sent to him and finds it so fascinating that he loses all track of time. The book is strange: "One hardly knew at times whether one was reading the spiritual ecstasies of some mediaeval saint or the morbid confessions of a modern sinner. It was a poisonous book." What does "morbid" mean?

8)

Later that evening, talking with Wotton about the book, Dorian says, "I didn't say I liked it, Harry. I said it fascinated me. There is a great difference." Lord Henry responds: 'Ah, if you have discovered that, you have discovered a great deal,' murmured Lord Henry, with his curious smile." What does "murmured" mean?

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