The Picture of Dorian Gray. B1 / Портрет Дориана Грея. Оскар Уайльд
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appearance with the beauty of the young man in the portrait.
“I do not wish to be like him. People who are better than others – physically or intellectually – always suffer more,” Basil said. He feared for the fate of himself, Lord Henry, and the subject of his painting, Dorian Gray.
Lord Henry was intrigued by the name. Basil did not want to speak about it. He liked secrecy, because it added mystery and romance to life. Lord Henry, who also enjoyed secrecy – in his own marriage – found this amusing. Despite Basil's serious tone, Lord Henry's cynical comments lightened the mood, and the two men moved to the garden.
Before leaving, Lord Henry once again asked Basil for the real reason he wouldn't exhibit the portrait. Basil confessed that every portrait painted with feeling reveals more about the artist than the subject. He feared that the world would see his soul in the portrait. Lord Henry laughed.
Basil shared the story of his first meeting with Dorian Gray. “It was a party, where I felt an immediate and intense connection, as if Dorian's presence would control my life and art. This sensation was both exciting and terrifying. I realised that Dorian's personality influenced my work profoundly. It gave me a new artistic vision.”
Lord Henry was fascinated by Basil's obsession. “I must meet Dorian Gray,” he insisted. Basil warned that while Dorian Gray was a mere inspiration for him, he feared the world would not understand. However, Lord Henry remained sceptical. “Artists often put their emotions into their work. The public's reaction shouldn't discourage you from displaying your best piece.”
“Dorian Gray has become essential to my happiness and artistry,” Basil admitted, “though his thoughtless actions sometimes hurt me”. Lord Henry spoke about the fading nature of beauty, suggesting that Basil might eventually grow tired of Dorian.
Basil did not agree. He was adamant that Dorian's influence would always be significant to him. Cynically, Lord Henry remarked that true understanding of love's tragedies comes from being faithless, not faithful. The men continued their conversation.
“Mr. Dorian Gray is in the studio, sir,” the butler announced. “You must introduce me now,” Lord Henry insisted.
adamant ['ædəmənt] – adj непреклонный
add to [æd tə] – v усиливать
amusing [ə'mju:zɪŋ] – adj забавный
announce [ə'naʊns] – v объявлять
artistry ['ɑ:tɪstri] – n мастерство
blossom ['blɒs(ə)m] – n цветок
butler ['bʌtlə(r)] – n дворецкий
buzzing ['bʌzɪŋ] – n жужжание
capture ['kæptʃə(r)] – v поймать
confess [kən'fes] – v признаваться
cynical ['sɪnɪk(ə)l] – adj циничный
discourage [dɪ'skʌrɪdʒ] – v отбивать охоту
display [dɪ'spleɪ] – v выставлять (для показа)
distant ['dɪst(ə)nt] – adj далекий
exhibit [ɪɡ'zɪbɪt] – v выставлять
extraordinary [ɪk'strɔ:d(ə)n(ə)ri] – adj необыкновенный, невероятный
fading ['feɪdɪŋ] – adj угасающий
fascinated ['fæsɪneɪtɪd] – adj увлеченный
fate [feɪt] – n судьба, участь
fragrance ['freɪɡrəns] – n аромат
insist [ɪn'sɪst] – v настаивать
intense [ɪn'tens] – adj интенсивный
intrigued ['ɪntrɪɡd] – adj заинтересованный
introduce [,ɪntrə'dju:s] – v знакомить
mere [mɪə(r)] – adj всего лишь
obsession [əb'seʃ(ə)n] – n одержимость
pleasure ['pleʒə(r)] – n удовольствие
praise [preɪz] – v хвалить
presence ['prez(ə)ns] – n присутствие
pride [praɪd] – n гордость
profoundly [prə'faʊndlɪ] – adv глубоко, серьезно
remark [rɪ'mɑ:k] – v замечать, отмечать
reveal [rɪ'vi:l] – v раскрывать
roar [rɔ:(r)] – n рев, рычание
scent [sent] – n запах
sceptical ['skeptɪk(ə)l] – adj скептический
sensation [sen'seɪʃ(ə)n] – n ощущение
significant [sɪɡ'nɪfɪk(ə)nt] – adj важный
soul [səʊl] – n душа
tease [ti:z] – v дразнить
terrifying ['tɛrɪfʌɪɪŋ] – adj ужасающий
thoughtless ['θɔ:tləs] – adj эгоистичный
vanity ['vænəti] – n тщеславие
vision ['vɪʒ(ə)n] – n мечта, образ
Chapter II
Lord Henry and Basil found Dorian Gray at the piano, flipping through Schumann's “Forest Scenes”. Dorian asked Basil to lend him those, so that he could learn to play this charming music.
“It depends on how well you will sit for the portrait today,” Basil joked. Dorian started complaining about sitting for the portrait, but when he saw Lord Henry, he blushed and apologised for not realising Basil had company.
Basil introduced Lord Henry as an old friend from Oxford. Lord Henry observed Dorian's remarkable beauty and youthfulness. For Lord Henry, these characteristics inspired trust and admiration. Dorian was friends with many famous philanthropists. Lord Henry joked that Dorian was too charming for charity. Basil was busy with his painting preparations, and politely asked Lord Henry to leave so he could finish the portrait in peace. However, Dorian insisted Lord Henry stay, as he found Basil's silence while painting tiresome.
Lord Henry stayed, lounging on the sofa. He continued his speech as Dorian was posing. “There is no such thing as a good influence, Mr. Gray. All influence is immoral from the scientific point of view, because it leads the person away from their