Epigrams from a Dying Century

Dorian insists he has changed after sparing Hetty Merton, hoping one good act signals redemption. Lord Henry dismisses morality as performance, mocks the idea of the soul, and debates art’s influence. They discuss Basil’s disappearance, youth, corruption, and whether life can truly change. Though Dorian longs to reform, Henry’s cynicism exposes the fragility of his resolve and the weight of his hidden guilt.