Oscar Wilde Universe

Oscar Wilde Universe (c) photo by Manel Aljama

Univers Wilde

The Enduring Wit of Oscar Wilde 🎭

Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish poet, playwright, and novelist. His life was as dramatic as his plays, marked by both great success and tragic downfall. Born in Dublin, he studied at Trinity College and later at Oxford, where he became a prominent figure in the Aesthetic movement, which championed the idea of "art for art's sake." His wit, flamboyant style, and sharp intellect made him a celebrity in London society. However, his life ended in disgrace after a public trial and imprisonment for "gross indecency" due to his homosexuality, a crime at the time. He died in poverty in Paris, a broken man, but his literary legacy has outlived his personal tragedy.

Wilde's Contribution to Literature

Oscar Wilde's influence on English and European literature is significant. He challenged the Victorian era's rigid moralism and social conventions. Through his work, he introduced a sophisticated style of comedy that used wit and satire to critique society. This style, known as the comedy of manners, was not just for entertainment; it was a way to expose hypocrisy and societal flaws. His contributions also include:

Pioneering Aestheticism: He was a leading voice for the Aesthetic movement, arguing that art should be appreciated for its beauty alone, rather than for its moral or social message.
Master of the Epigram: He was a master of the epigram, a short, clever, and often paradoxical statement. Many of his lines, such as "I can resist everything except temptation," are still famous today.
Social Commentary: Despite his focus on beauty, his works are full of biting social commentary, particularly on marriage, class, and morality.

A Look at Four Key Works

1. The Importance of Being Earnest

This play is Wilde's masterpiece and is widely considered one of the greatest comedies in the English language. The central theme is the satire of Victorian social conventions. It mocks the triviality of marriage, the hypocrisy of the upper class, and the absurdity of social rules. The characters use false identities to escape social obligations, highlighting the superficiality of a society where one's name and reputation are more important than who they truly are. The play's title itself is a clever pun, as the word "earnest" sounds like the name "Ernest," which the characters frequently use.

2. The Picture of Dorian Gray

This is Wilde's only novel and his most famous work. The main theme is the conflict between beauty, morality, and vice. The protagonist, Dorian Gray, makes a Faustian deal to remain forever young while his portrait ages and reflects his sins. The novel explores the idea that pursuing pleasure without regard for morality leads to corruption and a loss of the soul. It's a dark and thought-provoking study of aestheticism taken to its extreme.

3. The Canterville Ghost

This short story blends comedy with Gothic horror. The central theme is the clash of cultures and the parody of traditional ghost stories. It tells the story of an American family that buys an English castle haunted by a ghost, Sir Simon de Canterville. The pragmatic Americans are not at all frightened by the ghost's antics, which frustrates and eventually saddens him. The story humorously contrasts the superstitious traditions of old Europe with the modern, practical attitudes of America.

4. Lord Arthur Savile's Crime

This short story is a satirical look at fate and free will. The main theme is the darkly humorous exploration of destiny. Lord Arthur Savile is told by a fortune-teller that he is fated to commit a murder. Rather than try to avoid his fate, he decides it's his "duty" to get the murder over with before he gets married. The story is a witty and ironic take on the Victorian obsession with fortune-telling and the absurd lengths people will go to in order to control their own destiny.

Fonts i bibliografia consultada: Enciclopèdia Britannica, Base de coneixement EBSCO, British Library , Biography

One time Donation
Bizum +34 644 476 163
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/manel863

Subscription to L'Aixeta des de 2 € / mes amb regals (veure condicions): https://el-viatger-de-les-lletres.aixeta.cat/ca/subscriptions

Oscar Wilde Universe

The Enduring Wit of Oscar Wilde 🎭

Wilde's Contribution to Literature