Lord Henry's Marriage Farce

The cold, cynical marriage between Lord Henry and Lady Victoria Wotton, used as a backdrop for his views on marriage and women.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Introduction of Lady Henry

Introduction of Lady Henry The Untidy Woman Dorian meets Lady Victoria Wotton for the first time. She is nervous, dresses in a disordered way, and talks about music. Lord Henry treats her with amused contempt. The Marriage of Deception Lord Henry reveals that marriage is a 'life of deception.' He and his wife tell each other absurd stories. The marriage is a sham, but both parties play their roles.

Lady Henry's Affair

Lady Henry's Affair The Elopement Lord Henry casually mentions that his wife ran away with a man who played Chopin exquisitely. He is not upset; he says he was fond of her but the house is lonely. The affair is treated as a minor inconvenience. The Cynical View Lord Henry's reaction epitomizes his philosophy: emotions are to be observed, not felt. The marriage is a social arrangement that has dissolved predictably.

The Divorce

The Divorce The Public Scandal Lord Henry's divorce becomes a topic of gossip. He speaks of it lightly, noting that the public has had a busy season with scandals. The divorce is another piece of social theater. The Emotional Void Lord Henry's inability to feel genuine grief or anger is confirmed. He is a spectator of his own life. The marriage story reinforces the theme of emotional detachment.

Chapter III, afternoon at Curzon Street

Some time later, mentioned in Chapter XIII

Around the time of Basil's disappearance