Contents
CHAPTER XI
Overview
Dorian unveils the corrupted portrait to Basil, who is horrified and urges him to repent. Overwhelmed by hatred, Dorian murders Basil and methodically covers his tracks, staging an alibi. He decides to call Alan Campbell, signaling a turn toward calculated concealment and deeper moral descent.
Summary
Dorian leads Basil to the locked upstairs room and, after a tense exchange, rips back the curtain to reveal the portrait’s hideous corruption. Basil recognizes his own work and is appalled that Dorian’s soul has marked the canvas from within. He implores Dorian to pray and repent.
Dorian, first despairing, suddenly feels a violent hatred for Basil. Noticing a knife on a chest, Dorian seizes it and brutally stabs Basil behind the ear, killing him. He forces himself to remain calm, opens a window to the night air, and avoids acknowledging the reality of the act.
Dorian secures the room, retrieves the lamp, and creeps downstairs. He hides Basil’s bag and coat in a secret press, then considers the lack of evidence and the cover of Basil’s supposed midnight departure for Paris.
To establish an alibi, Dorian slips outside, rings his own bell, and wakes his valet, Francis, claiming he forgot his latch-key. He confirms that Francis saw Basil leave at eleven. Returning to the library, Dorian searches a directory and identifies Alan Campbell as the person he intends to summon for help.
Who Appears
- Dorian GrayReveals the corrupted portrait, murders Basil in a sudden frenzy, hides evidence, and plans a calculated cover-up.
- Basil HallwardArtist of the portrait; horrified by its corruption, urges Dorian to repent, and is murdered by him.
- FrancisDorian’s valet; unwittingly provides an alibi by confirming Basil left at eleven.
- Alan CampbellFormer acquaintance; Dorian resolves to contact him to help dispose of the body.
- PolicemanSeen patrolling outside as Dorian steadies himself after the murder.