Quintessential Wilde : his worldly place, his penetrating philosophy and his influential aestheticism

This volume presents interpretive essays utilizing a variety of approaches to honor the 160th anniversary of Oscar Wilde's birth, celebrating the writer's genius. This unique collection of scholarship explores a broad spectrum of subjects, including his travels, sexuality, children's literature, jail writings, novel, poetry, individualism, masks, homosexuality, influence on others, and morality. It offers historical, biographical, psychological and sociological perspectives written by international experts and features a broad spectrum of subjects which will appeal to a range of scholars seeking original and alternative approaches to understanding Oscar Wilde, his aesthetics and his influence in a variety of genres in the twenty-first century. The multiplicity of interest in the writer expands across genres, disciplines, cultures and time. Quintessential Wilde examines his intellectual strength in “His Worldly Place,” analyzes his ingenious thoughts in “His Penetrating Philosophy,” and recounts his enduring place in “His Influential Aestheticism.” Contents 8 Preface 10 Acknowledgements 19 PART I: HISWORLDLY PLACE 22 Chapter One 23 Chapter Two 37 Chapter Three 62 Chapter Four 85 PART II: HIS PENETRATING PHILOSOPHY 100 Chapter Five 101 Chapter Six 137 Chapter Seven 155 Chapter Eight 176 Part III: HIS INFLUENTIAL AESTHETICISM 208 Chapter Nine 209 Chapter Ten 225 Chapter Eleven 249 Chapter Twelve 277 Contributors 304 Index 307