The Picture of Dorian Gray, Chapter 16 summary

What happens

1. Dorian travels through rainy streets toward an opium den, hoping to escape his memories of bloodshed.
2. At the den, Adrian Singleton’s presence troubles Dorian, who decides to seek another place where nobody knows him.
3. A woman calls Dorian Prince Charming, prompting a sailor to follow him outside.
4. The sailor identifies himself as James Vane and threatens to kill Dorian for his sister Sibyl’s death.
5. Dorian persuades James to examine his young face, which seems incompatible with events eighteen years before.
6. A woman tells James that Dorian has scarcely changed in eighteen years, but Dorian disappears before James can find him.

In this chapter

What to notice

Dorian seeks more than concealment from other people. His memories make his own identity unbearable, driving his search for oblivion.

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