TPoDG ch. 8

"Besides, nothing makes one so vain as being told that one is a sinner. Conscience makes egoists of us all" (106).

If conscience makes one an egoist, then Dorian Gray has no chance left for himself. Now that he has realized the picture will reflect his own sins, he will have a visual conscience staring him back in the eyes every day. He even believes that "the picture, changed or unchanged, would be to him the emblem of conscience"(96). He has this reminder of all of his sins, which will also remind him of his vices. Each day the picture does not change, he will realize he was good that day, which will add to his pride. Dorian's ego will balloon because of this.

"'Mourn for Ophelia, if you like. Put ashes on your head because Cordelia was strangled. Cry out against Heaven because the daughter of Brabantio died. But don't waste your tears over Sibyl Vane. She was less real then they are" (107).

Harsh, Harry, and also wrong. Maybe Sibyl was less real then the characters him, but not to Sibyl's mother or Jim, who both loved her very much. (Speaking of Jim, if he finds out, Dorian is in trouble). Sibyl had a personality and a character, and Henry, in an attempt to calm Dorian, and following his disconnected nature, tells the younger man that Sibyl wasn't real. That's wrong, and it disconnects Dorian from the world like Harry is. The apathy he feels is not healthy, and he is bringing Dorian down with him.