In Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray," Sibyl Vane's death has a profound impact on Dorian Gray. Initially, he is struck by a mix of emotions, including shock, despair, and self-absorption. Dorian's reaction is marked by a significant turning point in his character. Instead of feeling a deep sense of responsibility for her death, which might be expected given that he had rejected her, his primary concern is more about how her death affects him personally and his own sense of loss regarding her beauty and talent.
Dorian initially feels a sense of guilt and sorrow, but this soon gives way to a more self-centered reflection on the loss of the idealized love he had for her. He struggles with the idea that her death has turned him into an even more corrupted individual, which reflects the moral decay he is undergoing. His guilt is fleeting, as he quickly falls back into self-indulgence and a deeper obsession with his own desires and appearance.
Ultimately, while Dorian might have felt a pang of responsibility at first, he quickly rationalizes and distances himself from the consequences of her death—a reflection of his increasingly egotistical and hedonistic nature. Sibyl's death serves as a catalyst that sets Dorian on a darker path, rather than leading him to a deep sense of responsibility or remorse.
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