Angles

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY.

Can a painting of a person tell you more about him than the person's own face? If it is painted with love, perhaps the painting will show more than just the outside of that person -perhaps it will show the inside .
We often say that a face is like an open book : the face tells its own story, we say. When Dorian Gray sees the painting of his own face, he falls inlove with his own beauty. Nothing must touch his beauty, nothing must hurt or change it- not love, no even time . And so he cuts the link between his face and his heart , between his outside and his inside. His face does not change; it stays young and beautiful . But the picture -painted with love – Tells the true story. It shows the real Dorian Gray, who is growing old and ugly and full of hate.The Artist .
I have put too much of myself into this painting.

Through the open windows of the room came the rich scent of summer flowers . Lord Henry Wotton lay back in his chair and smoked his cigarette. Beyond the soft sounds of the garden he could just hear the noise of London.
In the centre of the room there was a portrait of a very beautiful young man , and in front of it stood theartist himself , Basil Hallward .
It's your best work, Basil, the best portrait that you have ever painted , said Lord Henry lasily. You must send it to the best art gallery in London.
No , Basil said slowly . No, I won't send it anywhere .
Lord Henry was surprised . But my dear Basil , why not?
He asked. What strange people you artist are! You want to be famous , but then you're not happy whenyou are famous.
It's bad when people talk about you -but it's much worse when they don't talk about you.
I know you'll laugh at me , replied Basil , but I can't exhibit the picture in an art gallery . I have put too much of myself into it.
Lord Henry laughed . Too much of yourself into it! You don't look like him at all. He has a fair and beautiful face. And you -well , you look intelligent ,of course , but with your strong face and black hair, you are not beautiful . You don't understand me , Harry , replied Basil. ( Lord Henry's friend always called him Harry.) Of course I'm not like him, Basil continued. In fact , I prefer not to be beautiful . Dorian Gray's beautiful face will perhaps bring him danger and trouble.
Dorian Gray? Is that his name ? Asked Lord Henry.
Yes . But Ididn't want to tell you.
Why not?
Oh , I can't explain , said Basil. When I like people a lot, I never tell their names to my other friends. I love secrets , that's all.
Of course, agreed his friend. Life is much more exciting when you have secrets . For example , I never know where my wife is , and my wife never knows what I'm doing . When we meet – and we do meet sometimes - we tell each othercrazy stories , and we pretend that they're true.
You pretend all the time , Harry , said Basil . I think that you're probably a very good husband , but you like to hide your true feelings.
Oh , don't be so serious , Basil , smiled Lord Henry. Let's go into the garden.

2.
In the garden the leaves shone in the sunlight, and the flowers moved gently in the summer wind . The two young men saton a long seat under the shadow of a tall tree.
Before I go , said Lord Henry , you must answer my question, Basil. Why won't you exhibit Dorian Gray's portrait in a art gallery ? He looked at his friend and smiled .
Please give me the real reason, now. Not the answer that you gave me before.
Harry , when an artist fells strongly about a portrait , it becomes a portrait of himself , not of thesitter . The artist paints the face and body of the sitter , but in fact he shows his owns feelings. The reason why I won't exhibit this portrait is because I'm afraid it shows the secret of my heart.
Lord Henry laughed . And what is this secret of your heart?
His friend was silent . Lord Henry picked a flower and looked at it with interest.
Two months ago, Basil said at last, I was at a party...