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The enormousness of Being Oscar Wilde EssayAmong the writers of the late nineteenth century in Britain, none perhaps has surpassed the genius and press accorded to the inimitable Oscar Wilde. With controversies plaguing most aspects of his lifefrom his writing to his personal lifeWilde has eventually become an icon of his generation, resonating with readers far and wide, m any(prenominal) celebrating his unique vowelize and alternative thinking. The man as a poet, playwright, and fiction writer used his wit and intelligence as well as a sharp substance with words to create masterpieces that ready ultimately become part of the literary canon. Two of these, The Importance of Being Earnest and The Picture of Dorian senile, are approximately of the most studied in literary scholarship worldwide, and are practically responsible for catapulting Wilde into iconic status. However, much of the persona of the famed writer included his bohemian sexuality, as well as the infamous per iod of his incarceration but, as it normally happens to exceptional talent, the work was able to fight through the dirt and excise on its own merits, earning the admiration of readers throughout the centuries. II. A Wilde HistoryOscar Wilde was born in October 16, 1854 in Dublin, Ireland, to wealthy parents, a writer and a surgeon. Aside from disbursement most of his childhood in the company of the equally rich, including summers in fashionable homes, Wilde eventually began his education in Greek literature classics. During his conviction as a college student, he found his affinity for Aestheticism, which centered on the concept of using life to create art. This manifested in Wildes countenance and choice of clothing and lifestyle, eer deferring to art-related symbols and feminine representations rather than masculine endeavors like sports.Wilde also did a substantial amount of writing during this time and completed his course with honors however, his controversial image appeare d to have started as many of his fellow students professed a great dislike for his unconventional attitude and manner of expression. Because masculinitypart and parcel of Victorian patriarchyexcluded any association with flamboyance in feminine terms, many critics openly attacked Wildes lifestyle and writing. The writers apparent crotchet was largely focused upon, and more or less even referred to him as a negative influence on the youth.Though Oscar Wilde married a woman, Constance Lloyd, with whom he had two sons, his sexual preference and activities were always called into question. Because of his sight relationships with several men, including Lord Alfred Douglas, Wilde became the subject of ridicule and offense his affair with Douglas, due to the mans political family, was eventually the reason behind his much-publicized trial and imprisonment. Oscar Wilde passed in 1900, and was buried in Paris where he retreated after be freed from jail.He chose to never return to his nat ive Ireland or to Britain (Merriman, pars 1-10). III. The Picture of Dorian Gray This 1891 novel, which started as a short story published in a magazine, is the only realized work of its genre by Wilde. Largely considered fashionable for its time owing to its gothic horror theme, The Picture of Dorian Gray embodies much of the qualities associated with Wilde himselfart as the center of life, beauty, and homosexualityand gum olibanum was received during its launch with the gentle of controversy identified with Wilde all his life.The mind-gripping story revolves around a young, extremely handsome man produced Dorian Gray, and the painting of his likeness created by an artist named basil Hallward. Apparently, the artist was greatly enamored by Dorians beauty, which urged him to paint the portrait. However, due to Dorians acquaintance with the concept of hedonism and the sole pursuit of beauty, he makes a wish for the painting to take on his physical aging while Dorians actual body remained young and beautiful. But for distributively of Dorians sins, changes would take place in the paintingwhich ultimately mirrored his souland make it more grotesque at every turn.His emergence fear of seeing his own portrait age led him to affirm his love for beauty even more, and his rejection of everything he deemed unqualified made its mark in every occurrence. In the end, Dorian accuses and kills Basil for bringing this all upon him and attempts to correct all his perceived ills in the hopes of having the portrait return to its normal state. This did not happen, as Dorian was unable to feel guilt or remorse thus he tried to destroy the painting, which only caused his own aging and death.The portrait, however, returned to its unblemished condition. The forked themes of aestheticism, or the celebration of art and beauty, and homosexuality are present in the novel, both being embodied by Dorian Gray himself. His narcissistic linear perspective of beauty and self rendered him at an unending state of discontent, though, and subjects all those who come near him to his exacting ways. These were all part of Oscar Wildes personal ideologythe finale to make life an art, constantly seeking for beauty and perfectionwhich he carried out consistently.However, the novel was considered immoral and dirty by the critics of the time, due to the themes projected in the text. IV. The Importance of Being Earnest Oscar Wildes hugely popular work is undoubtedly a satire about Victorian societys rules and regulations, of expectations and etiquette, of dissimulation and fakeness. It was originally staged in 1895 in London. The famous three-act play is a comedy that revolved around the deception and resulting confusion regarding the use of the name Ernest, which was appropriated by a young man at varying occasions alternating with his real name.Consequently, he meets people who know him through different names, and even falls for a lady who would only marry someone name d Ernest. In the maddening turn of events, wherein accusations regarding truthfulness and honesty are made, it is discovered that his name is indeed Ernest, and thus the play ends with all romantic couples satisfied and in love. Clearly, through the mode of comedy, Wilde intended to poke fun at the straitlaced community that frowned upon any aside from the kind of convention they themselves set.What makes it even more humorous and tongue-in-cheek is the fact that this same society, behind closed doors, defies its own rules while maintaining a consistent and stabilize front, because of the complications arising from the numerous social obligations necessary to be observed. The trivial and petty arguments coming from the simple use of a name is representative of the superficiality of societal obligation, exemplified by the character Gwendolens refusal to marry anyone not named Ernest. While received positively by critics, the exploration of homosexuality in the text was unavoidable, considering Wildes reputation.Some claimed that the name Ernest subtly referred to being homosexual, and this was somehow confirmed by references to earlier metrical compositions by other writers that used this kind of logic, as in John Nicholsons poem Of Boys Names. Nevertheless, other critics and even the actors who had worked on the play denied the claim, and explicitly stated how there was no reference or implication of homosexuality in the piece. V. Other Works and Controversies Oscar Wilde was a prolific writer, churning out exceptional works in the form of poetry, short stories, as well as numerous other plays.He also professed his brand of politics, as evidenced by the impressive collection of articles he published under the titles of The Decay of guile, The Soul of Man Under Socialism, and De Profundis all three contained concepts that heralded Wildes affinity for aestheticism and socialism. Sadly, Wildes public persona was better known for the controversial trial that m arred his career, and largely implicated him as an example of immorality arising from homosexual behavior and influence.Gross indecency was the actual crime for which he was being accused, and the event, which was drawn out for a several years, caused Wilde to permanently leave Britain (FireBlade Coffeehouse Oscar Wilde). VI. Conclusion The intelligence and uniqueness of Oscar Wilde are the qualities that made him the great writer he was, and his conscious deviation from tradition and convention assured the public of works that were always fresh and insightful. However, as with lives tainted by controversy, Wilde could only push his efforts to a degree he could only leave his literary legacies to a future society.And that he did, with his literature accorded the respect and recognition they deservealbeit after his death. Wilde was clearly forward of his time, and his principles on art and beauty would be embraced by many other writers and artists of later generations. Works Cited F ireBlade Coffeehouse Oscar Wilde. Negative Space. 28 June 2009 http//www. hoboes. com/html/FireBlade/Wilde/. Merriman, C. D. Oscar Wilde. 2008. Jalic Inc. 28 June 2009 http//www. online-literature. com/wilde/. Wilde, Oscar. The Importance of Being Earnest. Courier Dover Publications, 1990. Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Macmillan, 1999.