It all happen when Dorian went to the party was with Sir Geoffrey. Geoffrey found a perfect hare (poor hare) to shoot at.But Dorian, showing his soft side, said not to shoot the hare. But he did anyways. When he shoot the hare, he shot someone else. He shot a man. At that point, it was a rude waking. Why? He thought he was close to death. Example: (pg 214-215, paragraphs 7-11)
"What is?" asked Lord Henry. "Oh! this accident, I suppose. My dear fellow, it can't be helped. It was the man's own fault. Why did he get in front of the guns? Besides, it is nothing to us. It is rather awkward for Geoffrey, of course. It does not do to pepper beaters. It makes people think that one is a wild shot. And Geoffrey is not; he shoots very straight. But there is no use talking about the matter."
Dorian shook his head. "It is a bad omen, Harry. I feel as if something horrible were going to happen to some of us. To myself, perhaps," he added, passing his hand over his eyes, with a gesture of pain.
The elder man laughed. "The only horrible thing in the world is ennui, Dorian. That is the one sin for which there is no forgiveness. But we are not likely to suffer from it unless these fellows keep chattering about this thing at dinner. I must tell them that the subject is to be tabooed. As for omens, there is no such thing as an omen. Destiny does not send us heralds. She is too wise or too cruel for that. Besides, what on earth could happen to you, Dorian? You have everything in the world that a man can want. There is no one who would not be delighted to change places with you."
"There is no one with whom I would not change places, Harry. Don't laugh like that. I am telling you the truth. The wretched peasant who has just died is better off than I am. I have no terror of death. It is the coming of death that terrifies me. Its monstrous wings seem to wheel in the leaden air around me. Good heavens! don't you see a man moving behind the trees there, watching me, waiting for me?"
I would be a wreck too if I was close to death. Later on, he went to his house and the gamekeeper came over to talk about the man who was killed. As the gamekeeper started to describe the man (tattooed on both arms,rough, sailor type), Dorian thought he knew the man. I did too and it was James' corpse. I wish I had luck like that, but then I don't.
