The novel tell of a young man named Dorian Grey, the subject of a painting by artist Basil Hallward. Basil is impressed by Dorian,s beauty and becomes infatuated with him, believing his beauty is responsible for a new mode in his art. Dorian meets Lord Henry's world view. Espousing a new hedonism Lord Henry suggests the only things worth pursuing in life are beauty and fulfillment of the senses. Realizing that one day his beauty will fade, Dorian Whimsically expresses a desire to tell his thoughts & beliefs to ensure the portrait Basil has painted would age rather than he. Dorian's wish is fulfilled, and when he subsequently pursues a life of debauchery, the portrait serves as a reminder of the effect each act has of this misdeed, displayed as a disfigurement of his form, or through a sign of aging.