"'What is it all about?' cried Dorian, in his petulant way, flinging himself down on the sofa" (Wilde 153).
2.) debauchery - (n.) excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; intemperance (dictionary.com)
"Did I teach the one his vices and the other his debauchery?" (155).
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1.) "'Know you? I wonder do I know you? Before I could answer that I should have to see your soul'" (156).
This quote is said before Basil is shown the picture of Dorian. Before then, Basil was at Dorian's house, telling him of terrible rumors in circulation about Dorian and his lifestyle. Dorian seems indifferent the entire time, as if hearing such things was perfectly natural. Often times, these rumors were of well-to-do individuals who were friends with Dorian but whose careers or lives were ended in terrible ways. Basil blames Dorian's pride and youth as having corrupted these individuals. Dorian gets tense while these things are said, but Basil says that it is for Dorian's own good that he gets help from the one who knows him best. Then Basil takes back how he said that he knew Dorian best by saying the above quote. It seems as if Basil may not know him at all. Yet, he felt obligated to help him because of their friendship in the past. However, Basil's wish to make Dorian use his convincing powers for good rather than evil backfires in the end when Dorian's cynicism gets to him.
2.) "'I worshiped you too much. I am punished for it. You worshiped yourself too much. We are both punished'" (162).
This quote is said by Basil after he sees the portrait of Dorian that he painted years ago. Basil asked to see Dorian's soul, and he got it through the painting. Basil was horrified at how the picture had warped in such a way that Dorian's life and influence had. Looking at the painting fills Basil with guilt. He then seeks penance by saying the above quote, but if anything, his quote was an indicator of what Dorian had in store for him. It was Dorian's youth that attracted Basil to him. Basil wished merely to capture that beauty on canvas to rever it. Basil feels as if his worship fostered Dorian's cockiness along with Lord Henry's prophesies. This is indeed true. Dorian's beauty won him many admirerers. While he was trying to lead an extravagant life, Dorian was quick to turn on his admirerers and exploit them for his own pleasure's sake, which won him his rivals. Basil also makes the point that he and Dorian are punished for their worship of youth. That is true again. Basil was punished sooner, though. While praying for forgiveness, Dorian stabbed him to death. In time, Dorian will face his punishment, because he cannot conceal Basil's murder forever.
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