The Picture of Dorian Gray — Page 251

The Picture of Dorian Gray·Chapter 21 — CHAPTER XX251/254 · 99%Page 251 of 254 · 99%

He took the lamp from the table and crept upstairs. As he unbarred the door, a smile of joy flitted across his strangely young-looking face and lingered for a moment about his lips. Yes, he would be good, and the hideous thing that he had hidden away would no longer be a terror to him. He felt as if the load had been lifted from him already.

Companion notes

In this passage, Dorian Gray is taking a quiet moment as he heads upstairs, which is significant because it suggests a shift in his mindset. The "lamp" symbolizes enlightenment or a search for clarity, and the act of "creeping upstairs" hints at a sense of secrecy or perhaps guilt about what he’s done. The mention of his "strangely young-looking face" is a reminder of Dorian's unusual situation—his physical beauty remains intact, while his soul is burdened by the moral consequences of his actions.

When Dorian thinks about being "good," it reflects a desire for redemption or perhaps a longing to escape the darker aspects of his life. The "hideous thing" he refers to likely alludes to the portrait that bears the truth of his corrupted soul, which he has kept hidden. This moment of joy suggests he feels lighter, as if he’s resolved to change his ways, which is quite poignant given the weight of his past actions. It’s a critical moment that highlights his internal conflict.

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