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The novel begins in the elegantly appointed London home of Basil Hallward, a well-known artist. Basil discusses his latest portrait with his friend, Lord Henry Wotton. Lord Henry admires the painting, the subject of which is a gorgeous, young mannamed Dorian .Lord Henry insists that Basil should exhibit the paint. Basil, however, refuses, claiming that he cannot show the work in public because he has put too much of himself into it. -
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Dorian has become, however, an object of fascination and obsession for Basil, who sees the young man every day and declares him to be his inspiration. Basil admits that he cannot bring himself to exhibit the portrait because the paint betrays what Dorian really inspires to him. -
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Lord Henry remembers that he heard the name Dorian Gray before: his aunt, mentioned that the young man promised to help her with charity work in the slums of London .Lord Henry insists on meeting him. Basil agrees but begs his friend not to try to influence the young man. -
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Basil warns Dorian that Lord Henry is a bad influence, and Dorian seems intrigued by this idea. While Basil finish the portrait, Lord Henry discusses his personal philosophy, which holds that “the highest of all duties [is] the duty that one owes to one’s self.”. Lord Henry escorts Dorian into the garden, where he praises Dorian’s youth and beauty and warns him of how fast those eill disappear. He suggest to Dorian to live life to its fullest, “always searching for new sensations” -
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Basil calls the men inside, and Dorian sits until the portrait is complete. It is beautiful,but looking at it makes Dorian unhappy while he remember Lord Henry’s warning about the advance of age. He reflects that his portrait will remain young even if he grows old .He pledges his soul .Basil tries to comfort the young man, but Dorian pushes him away Dorian and Lord Henry depart after Dorian promises, despite Basil’s objections, to go to the theater with Lord Henry later that evening. -
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After his first meeting with Dorian , Lord Henry visits his uncle, Lord Fermor, a old nobleman. When Lord Henry asks his uncle about Dorian Gray’s past, the old man tells him that Dorian comes from an unhappy family with a dark history. -
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Then,Lord Henry goes to dine at the home of his aunt, Lady Agatha,that was with a very fancy group of friends. Henry begins talking about the life that should be spent appreciating beauty and seeking out pleasure rather than searching for ways to alleviate pain and tragedy. Many of the guests are appalled by his selfishness, but he is so witty that they are charmed in spite of themselves. Dorian Gray is particularly fascinated -
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One month later,Dorian discusses music with Lord Henry’s wife, Victoria. When Lord Henry arrives, Dorian tellshim that he has fallen in love with Sibyl Vane, an actress who plays Shakespeare’s plays in a cheap London theater.Dorian wants his friends to know her so Lord Henry goes with him to see Sibyl Vane play the lead in Romeo and Juliet. Basil also join them, and Dorian remarks that Basil sent him his portrait, framed, a few days earlier. -
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After Dorian leaves, Lord Henry muses on his influence over the young man, reflecting on how fascinating the psychology of another human being can be. He then dresses and goes out to dinner. He comes home late that night and finds a telegram from Dorian waiting for him. It states that he is engaged to be married to Sibyl Vane.