hown the secret of his soul, but the painting eventually comes to show the secret of Dorian's soul also. In the preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde explains that "to reveal art and conceal the artist is art's aim" (Wilde 17). Basil realizes that he has not concealed himself in the painting and therefore feels the painting is not worth anything. After Lord Henry sees the painting, he asks to meet Dorian. Basil says that would not be good because his "influence would be bad" (Wilde 31). Basil is correct in saying this because Lord Henry is the main person who helps Dorian to destroy himself. Lord Henry disregards Basil's request and meets Dorian anyway. This is the beginning of the end for both Dorian and Basil because Lord Henry's influence pollutes Dorian. Lord Henry taunts Dorian and continues to remind him of all the sin that is building up and that even though his body is not aging, his soul is deteriorating fast.When Basil notices that Dorian has not changed physically in many years, he is curious to know how Dorian stayed beautiful, but also wants to know why Dorian has changed so much emotionally. Basil does not have the painting on display, but rather keeps it in the attic. When Dorian comes over one day, he and Basil are talking when Basil asks, "I wonder do I know you? Before I could answer that, I should have to see your soul." (Wilde 216) Dorian goes into a rage and takes Basil upstairs to see his soul which is concealed in the painting. When Basil sees the painting which is bloody and atrocious looking, he cannot believe that he painted it. Dorian reassures him that it is indeed Basil's painting. In that painting is all of Dorian's hate, fear, and sadness reduced onto a canvass. When Dorian sees the picture, he blames Basil for it and picks up a knife laying on a nearby table and stabs Basil. He then takes the knife and stabs the painting in the heart, killing his soul, and returning the painting to its original for...
