Contents
CHAPTER IV
Overview
Lord Henry informs Basil that Dorian is engaged to actress Sibyl Vane, provoking Basil’s alarm and Henry’s amused detachment. Dorian arrives exultant, recounts his romantic proposal, and idealizes Sibyl’s influence. The trio depart to watch her perform, while Basil privately senses he is losing Dorian’s devotion.
Summary
At a private dining room in the Bristol, Lord Henry tells Basil Hallward that Dorian Gray is engaged to a young actress. Basil turns pale and objects that marriage beneath Dorian’s station would be absurd. Lord Henry counters with detached aphorisms, valuing experience over propriety and claiming no life is spoiled unless growth is arrested.
Dorian arrives radiant, asking for congratulations. Over dinner he describes seeing Sibyl Vane as Rosalind, being enchanted, kissing her, and agreeing to a secret engagement despite likely disapproval from his guardians. He idealizes Sibyl’s beauty and artistry, declaring her love makes him faithful and good.
Lord Henry needles Dorian about whether marriage was explicitly discussed, then shrugs off morality, saying Dorian will always like him because he represents unrealized sins. Dorian rejects Henry’s “poisonous” theories, asserting Sibyl will give Henry a new ideal when they see her act.
They decide to go to the theater. Henry takes Dorian in his brougham, sending Basil in a hansom. As Basil follows, he broods that Dorian’s engagement may be better than other fates yet feels a profound loss, believing Dorian will never again be wholly his.
Who Appears
- Dorian GrayEcstatic about his secret engagement to Sibyl Vane; idealizes her artistry and moral influence; leads friends to see her perform.
- Lord Henry WottonReveals Dorian’s engagement; offers cynical, experiential philosophy; teases Dorian yet remains intrigued and goes to the theater.
- Basil HallwardShocked and anxious about Dorian marrying an actress; protective and moral; follows to the theater feeling he is losing Dorian.
- Sibyl VaneYoung actress discussed and adored; played Rosalind; secretly engaged to Dorian but does not appear onstage in the scene.