Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Victorian Era Amanda Kotwitz Student, University of Wisconsin-Rock County
Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde was born October 16th, 1854 in Dublin, Ireland. His father, William Wilde, was a well respected and renowned doctor who funded and built a hospital in 1844 entirely out of his own pocket. His mother, Jane Franceasca Elgee, wrote poems for a weekly Irish newspaper until it closed in 1848. Oscar went to the Portora Royal School at Enniskillen where he performed very well as a student in his classic [[Kotwitz#|courses]]. He was awarded the Royal School [[Kotwitz#|[[Kotwitz#|Scholarship]]]] to Trinity College in Dublin as well as many other scholarly awards. Oscar went to Trinity where he continued to excel in classic courses. There, he earned the highest award that could be given to an [[Kotwitz#|undergraduate]], a Foundation Scholarship. Oscar went on to Magdalen College in Oxford where he won the Newdigate prize for his poem, “Ravenna.” Oscar moved to London with a friend after his [[Kotwitz#|graduation]] and published his first collection of poetry. He then came to the United States in 1881 to give a series of lectures on aesthetics which was supposed to last four months, but ended up lasting almost a year. In the spring of 1884, Oscar married Constance Lloyd and they had two sons. Cyril was born in 1885, and Vyvyan was born in 1886. Soon after Vyvyan was born, Oscar took a job editing the Woman’s World magazine and held the position for three years. He published the first of two collections of children’s stories in 1888 titled “The Happy Prince and Other Tales.” In 1891, Wilde’s only novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray” was published. Then in 1892, “Lady Windermere’s Fan,” Wilde’s first play, opened. Due to its success, he wrote several more plays which were all well-received. One theme present in the works of Wilde is moral hypocrisy and the snobbish attitude of the upper classes during the Victorian age, which Wilde made much fun of. This theme is especially prevalent in his play The Importance of Being Earnest where the two leading men both lead double lives and the leading women only desire one trait in a potential husband; that he be named Earnest. This comedy makes fun of the attitudes of the rich, upper class citizens in the Victorian age but because Wilde did not try to make the plot realistic, it was easy for the audience to laugh at it and not take offense. Another theme prevalent in Wilde’s works is the desire for tolerance. In both A Woman of No Importance and An Ideal Husband, Wilde presents characters who have sorted pasts and these characters are the “good” ones in the plays. He shows a desire for the Victorian society to be less judgmental and harsh. It made sense to see a plea for tolerance in Wilde’s works because he was a practicing homosexual, but could not openly admit it due to the intolerance of society during the Victorian Age. One literary technique that Wilde is famous for is his use of epigrams. He often took already existing epigrams and changed their meaning to challenge the value of Victorian society. An example of this would be from The Importance of Being Earnest. A famous epigram from this play is “The truth is rarely pure and never simple” which contradicts the popular phrase “The pure and simple truth.” In 1891 Wilde met Lord Alfred ‘Bosie’ Douglas and the two soon became lovers. He later sued Bosie’s father, the Marquis of Queensberry, because he was accusing Wilde of homosexuality. When he realized he could not win against the Marquis, Wilde withdrew his case but was convicted of gross indecency and thus sentenced to two years of hard labor. He contracted a recurring ear infection while in prison and the injury cost him his life when meningitis set in years later. Wilde died November 30th, 1900.
Monographs
Oscar Wilde In Greece: Topography and the Hellenistic Imaginiation
By: Ross, Iain. International Journal of the Classic Tradition, June 2009, Vol. 16 Issue 2, p176-196, 21p
This article attempts to reconstruct a visit to Greece that Wilde took as an undergrad and look at the effect the trip had on Wilde's Hellenistic views. Since his account of the trip did not
survive, the article's sources are from his traveling companions. This article could be useful because it goes over a time in Wilde's life that had an impact on his view of the world which undoubtedly had an impact on his writing.
The Form of Oscar: Wilde's Art of Substitution
By: Beatty Bernard. Irish Studies Review, April 2003, Vol. 11 Issue, 1 p33, 17p
This article focuses on Wilde's Irish roots and how his voice and wit were influenced by his Irish background. This article could be helpful because it is always easier to understand a writer's viewpoint when you have an understanding of where they came from. These two monographs work well together because you can see how two different locations influenced Wilde and his writing.
Major Works 1881 Poems 1888 The Happy Prince and other Tales 1889 The Decay of Lying 1891 The Picture of Dorian Gray 1891 Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and other Stories 1891 Intentions 1891 Salome 1892 The House of Pomegranates 1892 Lady Windermere's Fan 1893 A Woman of No Importance 1893 The Duches of Padua 1894 The Sphinx 1895 An Ideal Husband 1895 The Importance of Being Earnest 1898 The Ballad of Reading Gaol
Family Father: Sir William Wilde Mother: Lady Jane Francesca Elgee Siblings: Henry, Emily, Mary, William, Isola Wife: Constance Lloyd Children: Cyril, Vyvyan
Chronology October 16, 1854 born in Dublin Ireland 1867 Younger sister dies at age 10, Oscar takes it hard Excels in school studying classics 1871 Awarded Royal School Scholarship to Trinity College in Dublin 1872 Earns highest honor college can bestow to undergrad--Foundation Scholarship 1876 father dies leaving lots of debt; eldest brother Henry supports family 1877 Henry dies Wilde moves to London with friend after graduation 1881 publishes first collection of poetry travels to US to do series of lectures 1884 marries Constance Lloyd 1885 son Cyril born 1886 son Vyvyan born 1892 First play, "Lady Windermere's Fan" opens and is a success Three more plays in the next three years open, all highly acclaimed 1891 meets Lord Alfred Douglas; they become lovers 1895 Wilde sues Douglas' father for libel because he accuses Wilde of being gay Wilde arrested and convicted of gross indecency; sentenced to two years hard labor Constance takes kids to Switzerland and reverts to old family name (Holland) 1898 Constance dies Wilde spends the last 3 years of his life wandering around Europe. 1900 Reccurant ear infection becomes serious; meningitis sets in, Wilde dies
Peer-reviewed Scholarly Journals Musteries of Oscar Wilde By: Fishers, Trevor. History Today, December 2000, Vol. 50 Issue 12 p18, 3p This article questions Wilde’s behavior during his trial. It seeks to determine why Wilde did not escape the country rather than go to trial, as he many advised to. The article goes through the events that took place leading up to and all the way through the end of his trial and sentencing. It attempts to uncover the real reasoning behind Wilde’s downfall at the end of his life. The Soul of a Man Under Imperialism: Oscar Wilde, Race and Empire By: Fletcher, Ian Christopher. Journal of Victorian Culture, autumn 2000 Vol. 5 Issue 2, p334, 8p This article puts Wilde’s life in the context of the Victorian imperial culture. It looks at Wilde’s nationality and his affiliations with England versus with Ireland. This article also looks at how Wilde viewed things such as slavery and race. Oscar Wilde’s Terminal Illness: Reappraisal After a Century By: Robins, Ashley H; Sellars, Sean L. Lancet, 11/25/2000 Vol. 356 Issue 9244, p1841, 3p This article goes through the medical history of Oscar Wilde. It gives evidence to dispel rumors that Wilde was infected with an STD and describes the nature of the injury that eventually led to his death. Study questions 1. What is the double meaning behind the title? 2. What do you think Wilde is trying to say about the attitude of the upper class in the Victorian Era? 3. Based on the play, how do you think Wilde views the institution of marriage? 4. Why do you think the audience was able to embrace this play even though it made fun of their own societal practices? 5. Do you think Wilde would take issue with the social structure and practices of the modern day?
Amanda Kotwitz Student, University of Wisconsin-Rock County
Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde was born October 16th, 1854 in Dublin, Ireland. His father, William Wilde, was a well respected and renowned doctor who funded and built a hospital in 1844 entirely out of his own pocket. His mother, Jane Franceasca Elgee, wrote poems for a weekly Irish newspaper until it closed in 1848. Oscar went to the Portora Royal School at Enniskillen where he performed very well as a student in his classic [[Kotwitz#|courses]]. He was awarded the Royal School [[Kotwitz#|[[Kotwitz#|Scholarship]]]] to Trinity College in Dublin as well as many other scholarly awards. Oscar went to Trinity where he continued to excel in classic courses. There, he earned the highest award that could be given to an [[Kotwitz#|undergraduate]], a Foundation Scholarship. Oscar went on to Magdalen College in Oxford where he won the Newdigate prize for his poem, “Ravenna.” Oscar moved to London with a friend after his [[Kotwitz#|graduation]] and published his first collection of poetry. He then came to the United States in 1881 to give a series of lectures on aesthetics which was supposed to last four months, but ended up lasting almost a year.
In the spring of 1884, Oscar married Constance Lloyd and they had two sons. Cyril was born in 1885, and Vyvyan was born in 1886. Soon after Vyvyan was born, Oscar took a job editing the Woman’s World magazine and held the position for three years. He published the first of two collections of children’s stories in 1888 titled “The Happy Prince and Other Tales.” In 1891, Wilde’s only novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray” was published. Then in 1892, “Lady Windermere’s Fan,” Wilde’s first play, opened. Due to its success, he wrote several more plays which were all well-received.
One theme present in the works of Wilde is moral hypocrisy and the snobbish attitude of the upper classes during the Victorian age, which Wilde made much fun of. This theme is especially prevalent in his play The Importance of Being Earnest where the two leading men both lead double lives and the leading women only desire one trait in a potential husband; that he be named Earnest. This comedy makes fun of the attitudes of the rich, upper class citizens in the Victorian age but because Wilde did not try to make the plot realistic, it was easy for the audience to laugh at it and not take offense. Another theme prevalent in Wilde’s works is the desire for tolerance. In both A Woman of No Importance and An Ideal Husband, Wilde presents characters who have sorted pasts and these characters are the “good” ones in the plays. He shows a desire for the Victorian society to be less judgmental and harsh. It made sense to see a plea for tolerance in Wilde’s works because he was a practicing homosexual, but could not openly admit it due to the intolerance of society during the Victorian Age.
One literary technique that Wilde is famous for is his use of epigrams. He often took already existing epigrams and changed their meaning to challenge the value of Victorian society. An example of this would be from The Importance of Being Earnest. A famous epigram from this play is “The truth is rarely pure and never simple” which contradicts the popular phrase “The pure and simple truth.”
In 1891 Wilde met Lord Alfred ‘Bosie’ Douglas and the two soon became lovers. He later sued Bosie’s father, the Marquis of Queensberry, because he was accusing Wilde of homosexuality. When he realized he could not win against the Marquis, Wilde withdrew his case but was convicted of gross indecency and thus sentenced to two years of hard labor. He contracted a recurring ear infection while in prison and the injury cost him his life when meningitis set in years later. Wilde died November 30th, 1900.
Monographs
Oscar Wilde In Greece: Topography and the Hellenistic ImaginiationBy: Ross, Iain. International Journal of the Classic Tradition, June 2009, Vol. 16 Issue 2, p176-196, 21p
This article attempts to reconstruct a visit to Greece that Wilde took as an undergrad and look at the effect the trip had on Wilde's Hellenistic views. Since his account of the trip did not
survive, the article's sources are from his traveling companions. This article could be useful because it goes over a time in Wilde's life that had an impact on his view of the world which undoubtedly had an impact on his writing.
The Form of Oscar: Wilde's Art of Substitution
By: Beatty Bernard. Irish Studies Review, April 2003, Vol. 11 Issue, 1 p33, 17p
This article focuses on Wilde's Irish roots and how his voice and wit were influenced by his Irish background. This article could be helpful because it is always easier to understand a writer's viewpoint when you have an understanding of where they came from. These two monographs work well together because you can see how two different locations influenced Wilde and his writing.
Websites
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/oscar-wilde
http://www.cmgww.com/historic/wilde/index.php
Major Works
1881 Poems
1888 The Happy Prince and other Tales
1889 The Decay of Lying
1891 The Picture of Dorian Gray
1891 Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and other Stories
1891 Intentions
1891 Salome
1892 The House of Pomegranates
1892 Lady Windermere's Fan
1893 A Woman of No Importance
1893 The Duches of Padua
1894 The Sphinx
1895 An Ideal Husband
1895 The Importance of Being Earnest
1898 The Ballad of Reading Gaol
Family
Father: Sir William Wilde
Mother: Lady Jane Francesca Elgee
Siblings: Henry, Emily, Mary, William, Isola
Wife: Constance Lloyd
Children: Cyril, Vyvyan
Chronology
October 16,
1854 born in Dublin Ireland
1867 Younger sister dies at age 10, Oscar takes it hard
Excels in school studying classics
1871 Awarded Royal School Scholarship to Trinity College in Dublin
1872 Earns highest honor college can bestow to undergrad--Foundation Scholarship
1876 father dies leaving lots of debt; eldest brother Henry supports family
1877 Henry dies
Wilde moves to London with friend after graduation
1881 publishes first collection of poetry
travels to US to do series of lectures
1884 marries Constance Lloyd
1885 son Cyril born
1886 son Vyvyan born
1892 First play, "Lady Windermere's Fan" opens and is a success
Three more plays in the next three years open, all highly acclaimed
1891 meets Lord Alfred Douglas; they become lovers
1895 Wilde sues Douglas' father for libel because he accuses Wilde of being gay
Wilde arrested and convicted of gross indecency; sentenced to two years hard labor
Constance takes kids to Switzerland and reverts to old family name (Holland)
1898 Constance dies
Wilde spends the last 3 years of his life wandering around Europe.
1900 Reccurant ear infection becomes serious; meningitis sets in, Wilde dies
Peer-reviewed Scholarly Journals
Musteries of Oscar Wilde
By: Fishers, Trevor. History Today, December 2000, Vol. 50 Issue 12 p18, 3p
This article questions Wilde’s behavior during his trial. It seeks to determine why Wilde did not escape the country rather than go to trial, as he many advised to. The article goes through the events that took place leading up to and all the way through the end of his trial and sentencing. It attempts to uncover the real reasoning behind Wilde’s downfall at the end of his life.
The Soul of a Man Under Imperialism: Oscar Wilde, Race and Empire
By: Fletcher, Ian Christopher. Journal of Victorian Culture, autumn 2000 Vol. 5 Issue 2, p334, 8p
This article puts Wilde’s life in the context of the Victorian imperial culture. It looks at Wilde’s nationality and his affiliations with England versus with Ireland. This article also looks at how Wilde viewed things such as slavery and race.
Oscar Wilde’s Terminal Illness: Reappraisal After a Century
By: Robins, Ashley H; Sellars, Sean L. Lancet, 11/25/2000 Vol. 356 Issue 9244, p1841, 3p
This article goes through the medical history of Oscar Wilde. It gives evidence to dispel rumors that Wilde was infected with an STD and describes the nature of the injury that eventually led to his death.
Study questions
1. What is the double meaning behind the title?
2. What do you think Wilde is trying to say about the attitude of the upper class in the Victorian Era?
3. Based on the play, how do you think Wilde views the institution of marriage?
4. Why do you think the audience was able to embrace this play even though it made fun of their own societal practices?
5. Do you think Wilde would take issue with the social structure and practices of the modern day?