how the secret ofDorian's soul also. Inthe preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde explains that "toreveal art and concealthe artist is art's aim" (Wilde 17). Basil realizes that he has notconcealed himself in thepainting and therefore feels the painting is not worth anything. AfterLord Henry sees thepainting, he asks to meet Dorian. Basil says that would not be goodbecause his"influence would be bad" (Wilde 31). Basil is correct in saying thisbecause Lord Henryis the main person who helps Dorian to destroy himself. Lord Henrydisregards Basil'srequest and meets Dorian anyway. This is the beginning of the end forboth Dorian andBasil because Lord Henry's influence pollutes Dorian. Lord Henry tauntsDorian andcontinues to remind him of all the sin that is building up and that eventhough his body isnot aging, his soul is deteriorating fast. When Basil notices that Dorian has not changed physically in manyyears, he iscurious to know how Dorian stayed beautiful, but also wants to know whyDorian haschanged so much emotionally. Basil does not have the painting ondisplay, but ratherkeeps it in the attic. When Dorian comes over one day, he and Basil aretalking whenBasil asks, "I wonder do I know you? Before I could answer that, Ishould have to seeyour soul." (Wilde 216) Dorian goes into a rage and takes Basilupstairs to see his soulwhich is concealed in the painting. When Basil sees the painting whichis bloody andatrocious looking, he cannot believe that he painted it. Dorianreassures him that it isindeed Basil's painting. In that painting is all of Dorian's hate,fear, and sadness reducedonto a canvass. When Dorian sees the picture, he blames Basil for itand picks up a knifelaying on a nearby table and stabs Basil. He then takes the knife andstabs the painting inthe heart, killing his soul, and returning the painting to its originalform. Wildeconstructs this in an interesting way because after Dorian stabs thepicture...
