Chapter 12

Text of Book

Chapter 12, page 1

Chapter 12, page 2

Chapter 12, page 3

Chapter 12, page 4

Chapter 12, page 5

Chapter 12, page 6

Chapter 12, page 7

Chapter 12, page 8

Chapter 12, page 9

Chapter 12, page 10

Chapter 12, page 11

Chapter 12, page 12

Chapter 12, page 13

Chapter 12, page 14

Questions

1)	What is the main idea of this chapter?

2)

The morning after killing Basil, Dorian determines to behave as normally as possible: "He spent a long time over breakfast, tasting the various dishes, talking to his valet about some new liveries that he was thinking of getting made for the servants at Selby, and going through his correspondence." What does "correspondence" mean?

3)

Alan Campbell comes to see Dorian, though it is clear that they are no longer friends: "I had intended never to enter your house again, Gray. But you said it was a matter of life and death." His voice was hard and cold. He spoke with slow deliberation. There was a look of contempt in the steady searching gaze that he turned on Dorian. What does "deliberation" mean?

4)	Dorian is unsuccessful in persuading Alan Campbell to dispose of Basil's body, so he resorts to blackmail: "I am so sorry, Alan," he murmured, "but you leave me no alternative." What does "alternative" mean?

5)

Campbell agrees to help Dorian cover up his crime, but not because he cares for Dorian: "Your life? Good heavens! what a life that is! You have gone from corruption to corruption, and now you have culminated in crime. In doing what I am going to do, what you force me to do, it is not of your life that I am thinking." What does "culminated" mean?

6)	Once Campbell has agreed to dispose of Basil's body, Dorian moves quickly to put his plan into place, directing Campbell forcefully: "He spoke rapidly, and in an authoritative manner. Campbell felt dominated by him. They left the room together." What does "authoritative" mean?

7)

Dorian cannot face up to what he has done. He wants to avoid even going into the room with Basil's body, but remembers that the portrait is uncovered: "He opened the door a little wider, and walked quickly in, with half–closed eyes and averted head, determined that he would not look even once upon the dead man. Then, stooping down, and taking up the gold–and–purple hanging, he flung it over the picture." What does "determined" mean?

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