DORIAN GRAY #6

              The deterioration of Dorian Gray's soul becomes ever apparent as the story progresses. Years pass, and Dorian's corruption and evil become regularly talked about throughout England. His reputation crumbles. When he sees Basil, he is reminded of the one person left that is unaware of his soul's impurities. After Dorian reveals to the painter the truth of the transformation as seen through the portrait, "suddenly an uncontrollable feeling of hatred for Basil Hallward came over him, as though it has been suggested to him by the image on the canvas, whispering into his ear by those grinning lips" (115). The surge of uncontainable hatred that possesses Dorian shows how powerful the evil within him has become. Furthermore, the evil convinces him to passionately murder the old man with ruthless revenge. Even after the deed has been done, it takes some time before Dorian even realizes the severity of it. He justifies his horrid actions: "The friend who has painted fatal portrait to which all his misery had been due, had gone out of his life" (116). Dorian blames his wretchedness on the painting and its creator, even though it was truly Lord Henry's influence that is the cause of Dorian's dilapidation.
               The uncontrollable evil of that night turn to panic by the morning. The shift is very evident. Whereas the night before, Dorian feels "strangely calm" (116), as he awakes the following morning, he reflects, "How horrible that was! Such hideous things were for the darkness, not for the day" (118). Later, Dorian plays back memories he has with Dorian, and concludes, "Poor Basil! what a horrible way for a man to die!" (120). Feelings Dorian has about the whole situation are strange. Some degree of regret seems to be hidden in his thoughts, but more than anything, he seems to think of Basil's body as being an inconvenience. This then changes to terror when he realizes the portrait has changed again, this time with a "loathsome red dew that gleamed, wet and glistening, on one of his hands, as though the canvas had sweated blood" (127). The evidence is clearly portrayed in the portrait. Even if Allan Campbell disposes entirely of Basil's lifeless body, there is proof dripping on the canvas. Dorian's response is to quickly cover the painting, as he covers his sins while they decompose the good of his soul. It is only a matter of time before he will be unable to continue to escape and to cover his evil.