Copy of Copy of Oscar Wilde

Wilde also had to pay for his and Queensberry's costs for the trial. Wilde declared bankruptcy and sold his belongings. This included real estate, valuble paintings, and first edition books.

His wife and children fled Europe and changed their last names to Holland to hide their family's infamy. As a result of legal action taken by Constance's family, Wilde was never allowed to see his children again.

Hmmmmm...

To me, beauty is the wonder of wonders. It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearancesTo me, beauty is the wonder of wonders. It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearances

To me, beauty is the wonder of wonders. It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearances

• Oscar Wilde was born in 1854 in Dublin, Ireland. His father, William Wilde, was a prestigious doctor who was knighted for his work. His mother, Jane Francesca Elgee was a poet who wrote for the newspaper.
• Wilde had one older brother, Wiliam.
• Wilde also had a younger sister who died at the age of 10. As remembrance, Wilde kept a lock of her hair with him in an envelope.

Family Life & Childhood

EARLY ADULTHOOD

• From an early age, Wilde was a talented student who had a gift for languages.
• In 1971 at the age of 17, Oscar Wilde was awarded a scholarship for Trinity College in Dublin to study classics.
• Wilde was first in his class. He also won the Berkely Gold Medal which was his university's highest academic award. Wilde received another scholarship, and went on to study in Magdalen College at the University of Oxford in 1874.
• In 1878, he received the Newdigate prize for his poem "Ravenna." The same year, he graduated with a double degree firsts (meaning high academic achievement) with a B.A. in Classical Moderations and Literary Humanities.
• The same year, Wilde moved to London.

Trinity College in Dublin

Oxford University

ADULT LIFE

Reaction of John Douglas

The Albermarle Club went out of business when John Douglas stormed in to give Oscar Wilde his message. The club was also metioned in Wilde's trial and its reputation was ruined.

• Bosie's father, John Douglas, was increasingly suspicious of his son's relationship with Oscar Wilde.
• When he saw his son and Wilde eating dinner together in a cafe. Dougals accused Wilde of being gay.
• In retaliation, but also in anger, Wilde sued Queensberry for libel. Many of Wilde's close friends advised against this because Dougals was a wealthy and prominent man.
• A series of trials, and unfortunate events began for Oscar Wilde.

• 1881, Oscar Wilde's writing career begun when he published his first book of poetry titled "Poems."
• 1882 - Wilde went to North America for a year-long lecture tour. During this time, he advocated Aesthetics.
• Wilde himself was profoundly affected by the idea of beauty and lived and dressed flamboyantly compared to the typical Victorian styles and males of the time.
• 1884 (age 30) - Oscar Wilde married Constance Lloyd, her mother was part of the Queen's Counsel. They had two boys: Cyril (1885) and Vyvyan (1886).

The Oscar Wilde Controversy

• In 1891 Wilde met Lord Alfred "Bosie" Douglas, son of nobleman John Douglas 9th Marquias of Queensberry at a party.
• This was shortly after his well known novel "Picture of Dorian Gray" had risen to popularity.
• WIlde and Bosie soon begun an intimate relationship, exchanging love letters in secret.

Wilde led an extravagant lifestyle that allowed him to mingle with many wealthy individuals of society. He loved clothes and art. This was a significant factor which would impact his life....

During this time it was against the law to be gay.

Oscar and Lord Douglas

Trials

The Famous Oscar Wilde Trials

Wilde was convicted of indecency

May 25th, 1895

• In the end, the judge served Wilde the harshest punishment that the law would allow, which was 2 years in prison with hard labor.
• At this time in England, hard labor meant a 6 mile walk each day, and visitors were allowed once every 3 monthes - with absolutely no physical contact. Wilde slept in his cell alone, on a wooden plank without a matress.

AFTERMATH

Unfortunately for Wilde, he was at the peak of his popularity at this time. His play, "The Importance of Being Earnest" was banned from all theatres, and his name was no longer mentioned. His remaining friends fled the country for fear that they would be charged themselves.

Oscar Wilde's Last Years

• While in prison, Wilde's body weakened from the harsh conditions. He never truly recovered.
• He wrote two works during his time: " The Ballad of Reading Gaol" and" De Profoundis."
• He was released in 1897, and changed his name to Sebastian Melmoth to avoid his past. Wilde had no money, no friends, and went to France to be with Bosie.
• Wilde passed away on May 19th, 1900 at age 46, in a cheap hotel in France, still broke. He died from meningitis, most likely caused by the poor health conditions of his imprisonment.

Oscar Wilde's Life

"To live is the rarest thing in the word, most people exist, that is all."

Oscar Wilde's Works

"There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it."

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891)

SYNOPSIS:

• About a wife and young mother, Lady Windermere whose moral code leads her to the brink of social suicide.
• The only person who can save her is the mysterious, Mrs. Erlynne- who is involved in a scandalous relationship with Lord Windermere.

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Classic Novel

A handsome, young man named Dorian Gray who is obsessed with his physical attributes.

2 Film Adaptations

An aspiring artist decides to paint a beautiful portrait of Dorian.

Dorian wishes that he could always have his youthful appearance in the portrait.

Lady Windermere's Fan (1892)

The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898)

SYNOPSIS

• Poem written while Wilde was in France, after his 2 year jail sentence
• Narrates the executions that he witnessed
• Highlights the punishments of different convicts

The Importance of Being Earnest (1895)

SYNOPSIS:

Main Characters: 2 wealthy gentleman named Jack and Algernon

Lord Alfred Douglas' father ruined the opening night by yelling obscene names at Wilde

Algernon:

• lives in luxury in London and has invented an imaginary friend named Bunburry
• marries Jack's young ward, Cecily

Jack:

• known to Algernon as Earnest and lives a respectable like in the country side
• invents a younger brother named Earnest
• wishes to marry Algernon's cousin, Gwendolen, but must first convince her mother, Lady Bracknell

2 movie adaptations

• Jack arrives home announcing that Earnest has died
• Jack realizes that his parents were Lady Bracknell's sister- and brother-in-law and that he is Algernon's older brother

Salome (1905)

SYNOPSIS

Tragic play that tells the Biblical story of Salome, who requests the head of Jokanaan on a silver platter. Salome is portrayed as a spoiled princess with little regard for human life and far too much awareness of her own beauty.

Importance As An Author

He was Witty

Wilde was a Fearless Writer

• funny dialogue
• entertaining

• Openly gay, in Victorian era
• Bold enough to portray unusual topics
• Inspired other writers and people
• "The books people call immoral are books that show the world its own shame."

He had the Ability to Make People Think

He was a Talented Romantic Poet, Playwright and Author

• Wilde brought a new perspective to old ideas

• Romantic era, 18th century
• His work appealed to a large audience

Cheap Thrills?

• Writer for the Aesthetic movement
• He wrote about the nature of art, beauty and taste,

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Thank you to Katarina Li

https://prezi.com/zjft9n2tj14c/oscar-wilde/

Important Author:

"Oscar Wilde." Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/oscar-wilde-63.php

"World Socialist Web Site." Oscar Wilde's Lasting Significance -. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/1997/07/wild-j28.html

"Oscar Wilde." - Biography and Works. Search Texts, Read Online. Discuss. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. http://www.online-literature.com/wilde/

Important Works:

"'The Importance of Being Earnest': Characters & Plot." Victoria and Albert Museum, Online Museum, Web Team, Webmaster@vam.ac.uk. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/t/importance-of-being-earnest-characters-and-plot/

"Reading Wilde, Reading Gaol: A Synopsis." - Infoshop News. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=2009oscar-wilde

"Dangers Untold and Hardships Unnumbered." : Review: Salomé by Oscar Wilde. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. http://rhiannon-hart.blogspot.ca/2010/04/review-salome-by-oscar-wilde.html

Important Events:

"Oscar Wilde." Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/oscar-wilde-63.php

BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/wilde_oscar.shtml

"Oscar Wilde Biography." Biography of Oscar Wilde. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.http://www.wilde-online.info/oscar-wilde-biography.htm

Quotes:

BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/o/oscar_wilde.html#ooq8xktuHtFiajTI.99

"Quotations by Author." Oscar Wilde Quotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Oscar_Wilde

"Oscar Wilde Quotes." Oscar Wilde Quotes (Author of The Picture of Dorian Gray). N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3565.Oscar_Wilde

"Be yourself, everyone else is already taken" Oscar Wilde