Certainly! Here are five major events that occur between chapters 7 and 11 of Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray":
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Dorian's First Encounter with Hedonism: In Chapter 7, Dorian Gray meets the actress Sibyl Vane, who performs in a play that captivates him. He becomes infatuated with her beauty and talent, which marks the beginning of his deep dive into a lifestyle of hedonism and the pursuit of pleasure, as influenced by Lord Henry Wotton.
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Dorian’s Transformation and Proposal: As Dorian and Sibyl's romance blossoms, Dorian becomes increasingly enamored with her, believing that her talent enhances his own life. In a moment of passion, he proposes to Sibyl, demonstrating how quickly he has fallen for her and how his previous emptiness is filled by her presence.
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Sibyl's Decline: Dorian introduces Sibyl to Lord Henry, who influences her perception of love and art. Unfortunately, when Dorian sees her perform poorly in a play—claiming that she is too in love to act well—it devastates him. This performance highlights how Dorian is affected by the people around him and foreshadows his later disenchantment with her.
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The Portrait's Change: After Dorian's first real heartbreak following Sibyl's poor performance, he notices a change in his portrait. The painting shows a subtle, mocking smile that is not present in his physical appearance. This event marks the beginning of the portrait's role as a representation of Dorian's moral degradation and the consequences of his hedonistic lifestyle.
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The Turning Point: Following the revelation of Sibyl’s tragic decline in skill and her later death by suicide, Dorian experiences a pivotal shift. Instead of mourning her loss, he feels an overwhelming sense of freedom and is excited about his own life. This response illustrates Dorian's deepening moral corruption and the impact of Lord Henry's philosophies on his character.
These events collectively illustrate Dorian Gray's evolution into a character increasingly influenced by beauty, art, and the superficial values promoted by those around him, setting the stage for the tragic consequences that follow.
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