Dorian Gray CH. 7 and 8

Quote
"He had dreamed of her as a great artist, had given his love to her because he had thought her great. Then she disappointed him. She had been shallow and unworthy. [...] But he had suffered also" (95).

Response
Dorian is calling Sibyl shallow but he has failed to accurately judge himself. Dorian fell in love with Sibyl's acting rather than her beauty and personality, sounds a bit shallow. This situation is much like when a man saves a woman's life, she is destined to fall in love with him; but once this luster wears off there is nothing to build a relationship on. When Dorian saw that SIbyl was a bad actress, the luster of the love he thought he felt has worn off.

Quote
"Eternal youth, infinite passion, pleasures subtle and secret, wild joys and wilder sins--he was to have all these things. The portrait was to bear the burden of his shame, that was all" (109).

Response
Dorian has achieved what he always wanted, eternal youth and a life without consequence. The picture will now bear the brunt of Dorian's age and sins. A life without consequence is a life with anarchy, Dorian will now do anything he wants because he knows it will have no effect on him. It is true Dorian will be happier because he will keep his youth, but what happens when Lord Henry grows old and Dorian stays young. Dorian will not feel his sins personally, but he will see them whenever he looks at the painting. Dorian's achievment is both a blessing and a curse