DG Ch. 12-13

"'Sin is a thing that writes itself across a man's face. It cannot be concealed" (153).

This quote is somewhat ironic because Dorian has been able to conceal his sins in the portrait. He has been able to avoid the toll of his sins and lived a care-free lifestyle that has been beneficial to himself, but horrendous to those closest to him. However, I do not think that Dorian feels completely free from the things he does. Yes, the portrait does bear the punishment for his sins, but if Dorian felt no guilt for his actions, why would he ever bother to check on how it has changed. Maybe it is because he is proud of what he has accomplished, but I think he still feels a sense of remorse. Dorian continues to conduct himself so poorly because he realizes that he has lost his soul and there is nothing he can do to make it come back.

"'You told me you had destroyed it.' 'I was wrong. It has destroyed me'" (161)

Dorian's change started because of the influence Henry had on him, but it is the portrait which perpetuates his misery. Dorian is constantly reminded of his sins through the portrait, and it gives him the desire to commit more terrible acts. Even though Dorian does not feel the punishment for his sins, he has the portrait to show him who he once was and who he now is. The image Dorian sees is so unbearable to him but it does not stop him from sinking even lower. The young and naive Dorian from the beginning of the novel has been destroyed alongside the beautiful image in the portrait. In place of it is a very disturbed and broken man who cannot and will not find his way back to his old self once more.