The Picture of Dorian Gray. B1 / Портрет Дориана Грея. Оскар Уайльд

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СКАЧАТЬ 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 own soul,” he spoke, confusing Dorian, “and true fulfilment comes from embracing one's desires. That is the only way to overcome them.”

      “Stop!” Dorian screamed, “you bewilder me. I don't know what to say. There is some answer to you, but I cannot find it. Don't speak. Let me think. Or, rather, let me try not to think.”

      Lord Henry knew when to stop talking. He let Dorian stand there, fascinated and confused. The idea that he could miss out on life's pleasures by following conventionalmoralsdisturbed Dorian. He felt as if a new, thrilling yet terrifying point of view had been opened to him.

      Basil was engrossed in painting. Eventually, he noticed Dorian's discomfort caused by standing for so long, and invited everyone to take a break in the garden. There, Dorian continued to reflect on Lord Henry's ideas, and confessed that he didn't feel young.

      “Some day, when you are old and ugly, when there are wrinkles on your forehead, you will understand. Your beauty will leave you together with your youth, and your life will grow bitter and dreadful. You will regret not being brave enough to enjoy your temptations.”

      Dorian remained silent with his eyes wide open. Basil appeared, and invited everyone back in. Returning to the studio, Dorian viewed his finished portrait and was astonished by its beauty. Suddenly, a sharp pain struck him. He was astounded by the contrast the portrait would have with his future, aging self. “If only it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! I would give my soul!” Dorian cried desperately.

      Lord Henry and Basil were taken aback by Dorian's intensity. Basil tried to comfort him, but Dorian felt a deep envy towards the unchanging beauty of the portrait. He kept moaning about inevitable aging, and declared that he would give anything to stay as young and beautiful as he was in the picture.

      Lord Henry blamed Basil for this. Although this portrait was his finest work, Basil decided to resolve the problem by destroying the painting. “Don't!” Dorian shouted, “it would be murder!”

      Dorian begged Basil to let him have the portrait, but Basil had already agreed to that a long time ago. He invited Dorian to stay for dinner, but Dorian chose to go to the theatre with Lord Henry instead, making Basil feel displeased.

Glossary

      admiration [,ædmə'reɪʃ(ə)n] – n восхищение

      apologise [ə'pɒlədʒaɪz] – v извиняться

      astonished [ə'stɒnɪʃt] – adj удивленный

      astounded [ə'staʊndɪd] – adj удивленный

      beg [beɡ] – v умолять

      bewilder [bɪ'wɪldə(r)] – v сбивать с толку,

      приводить в замешательство

      blame [bleɪm] – v винить

      characteristic [,kærəktə'rɪstɪk] – n черта, особенность

      charity ['tʃærɪti] – n благотворительность

      charming ['tʃɑ:mɪŋ] – adj обаятельный, очаровательный

      comfort ['kʌmfət] – v утешать

      confess [kən'fes] – v признаваться

      conventional [kən'venʃ(ə)n(ə)l] – adj традиционный

      declare [dɪ'kleə(r)] – v объявлять, заявлять

      desire [dɪ'zaɪə(r)] – n желание

      desperately ['dɛsp(ə)rətlɪ] – adv отчаянно

      displeased [dɪs'pli:zd] – adj недовольный

      disturb [dɪ'stɜ:b] – v беспокоить

      dreadful ['dredf(ə)l] – adj ужасный, страшный

      embrace [ɪm'breɪs] – v принимать

      engrossed [ɪn'ɡrəʊst] – adj поглощенный, занятый чем-либо

      flip through [flɪp θru:] – v листать

      inevitable [ɪ'nevɪtəb(ə)l] – adj неизбежный

      influence ['ɪnfluəns] – n влияние

      intensity [ɪn'tɛnsɪti] – n сила, интенсивность

      lounge [laʊndʒ] – v сидеть вразвалку

      miss out on [mɪs aʊt ɒn] – v упускать

      moan [məʊn] – v жаловаться

      moral ['mɒrəl] – n мораль

      murder ['mɜ:də(r)] – n убийство

      observe [əb'zɜ:v] – v наблюдать

      overcome (overcame, overcome) [,əʊvə'kʌm] – v преодолевать

      philanthropist [fɪ'lænθrəpɪst] – n филантроп

      pose [pəʊz] – v позировать

      rather ['rɑ:ðə(r)] – adv точнее

      reflect СКАЧАТЬ