The Role Of The Reader In Oscar Wilde S Works

Doctoral Thesis / Dissertation from the year 2002 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: summa cum laude (Grade 1), , language: English, abstract: This book is an updated version of my doctoral dissertation, “The Role of the Reader in Oscar Wilde’s Narrative and Dramatic Works”, for which I was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English Philology and was granted the distinction "summa cum laude" (University of La Rioja, 2002). In celebration of the 160th anniversary of Oscar Wilde’s birth, I have extended my PhD dissertation in order to include an analysis of the main critical works on Wilde written in the first years of the twenty-first century with a double purpose, namely, to complement the lines of investigation explored on my previous study with the latest contributions on the subject and to set it on an up-to-date framework so as to strengthen the conclusions reached in it in the light of the most recent Wildean research. The present study explores Oscar Wilde's creative writings from the hypothesis that they called upon the active participation of the reader in the construction of their meaning. It has a twofold objective: first, to show that Wilde's emphasis on the creative role of the reader in his critical writings makes him conceive him as a co-creator in the production of meaning; second, to explore the literary strategies which Wilde employs to impel the reader to participate dynamically in the production of the meaning of his works as well as to cast light upon the social criticism which is derived from them. The examination of Oscar Wilde's works is divided up into chapters devoted to specific literary genres in order to show how he gradually developed a remarkable ability to combine more sophisticated techniques that encourage the reader's active role with the progressive incorporation of elements that allow the “commercial” Oscar to make his works successful among the public without betraying the “literary” Wilde’s artistic principles. The analysis of the role of the reader in Oscar Wilde's works permits to revaluate Wilde as a critic and as a writer. Furthermore, it demonstrates that, apart from the fact that Wilde the “myth” went ahead of his age in a wide range of aspects, there exists Wilde the “ARTIST”, who anticipated various themes in his aesthetic theory which concern contemporary literary theoreticians. This opens the possibility to a vast number of research writings about Oscar Wilde that may contribute to understand the origins of current literary interests and give him the status he rightly deserves in the history of literature.

This book explores Wilde's works from the hypothesis that they call upon the active participation of the reader in the production of meaning. It has a twofold objective: first, it shows that Wilde's emphasis on the creative role of the audience in his critical writings makes him conceive the reader as a co-creator in the construction of meaning. Second, it analyses the strategies which Wilde employs to impel the reader to collaborate in the creation of meaning of his literary works and casts light upon the social criticism derived from these. The examination of Wilde’s writings reveals how he gradually combined more sophisticated techniques that encouraged the reader's dynamic role with the progressive exploitation of self-advertising strategies for professional purposes. These allowed the ‘commercial’ Oscar to make his works successful among the Victorian public without betraying the ‘literary’ Wilde’s aesthetic principles. The present study re-evaluates Wilde as a critic and as a writer. It demonstrates that, while Wilde the ‘myth’ was ahead of his time in many ways, Wilde the ‘ARTIST’ anticipated in his aesthetic theory various themes which occupy contemporary literary theoreticians. Thus, it may contribute to give him the status he rightly deserves in the history of literature.

Wilde's works are suffused with his aestheticism, brilliant craftsmanship, legendary wit and, ultimately, his tragic muse. He wrote tender fairy stories for children employing all his grace, artistry and wit, of which the best-known is The Happy Prince. Counterpoints to this were his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, which shocked and outraged many readers of his day, and his stories for adults which exhibited his fascination with the relations between serene art and decadent life. Wilde took London by storm with his plays, particularly his masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest. His essays - in particular De Profundis- and his Ballad of Reading Gaol, both written after his release from prison, strikingly break the bounds of his usual expressive range. His other essays and poems are all included in this comprehensive collection of the works of one of the most exciting writers of the late nineteenth century.

"A Woman of No Importance" is a play by Oscar Wilde, which became a phenomenon of its time. Like Wilde's other society plays, "A Woman of No Importance" satirizes the English upper-class society. The plot centers around the revelation of Mrs. Arbuthnot's long-concealed secret. As the events develop, the author casts light on the perversions in Victorian upper-class society's morals, hypocritical conventions, and general views and conduct.

A Preface to Oscar Wilde provides a detailed study of the cultural, personal and political influences that shaped Wilde's writing. The study concentrates primarily on his fiction, critical dialogues and plays that were published between 1890 and 1895, and detailed accounts of Wilde's lesser known works such as his poetry, journalism and letters are also presented. The first section places his work in a variety of cultural contexts: Wilde's family life and his Irish inheritance are examined, the impact of his sexuality on his writing and reputation is considered, and a description is provided of how Wilde became a legendary figure in the arts. Major innovations and successes, such as The Picture of Dorian Gray, Salome and The Importance of Being Earnest are related to avant garde movements of their day such as aestheticism, decadence, and symbolism. Reference sections provide supporting material such as a Wilde chronology, a glossary of terms and a bibliography for further study. Anne Varty sets out in this study to bring to life the work of Wilde, and to make his writing accessible to readers who are unfamiliar with his achievements. In so doing, she confronts the ethical drive of his work, and demonstrates the coherent evolution of his work from the aestheticism of the early poetry, through the sophisticated handling of theatre, to the dark self-scrutiny of autobiography. The comprehensive and accessible approach makes this a useful reference work to all who are studying Oscar Wilde, both at A Level and undergraduate level. The content will also appeal to the general reader who is seeking to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of Wilde's work.

Research Paper (postgraduate) from the year 1999 in the subject Didactics for the subject English - Literature, Works, , course: Third-Cycle Education / Tercer Ciclo, language: English, abstract: This study analyses the act of reading The Picture of Dorian Gray from the perspective of Reception Theory. In his critical writings, Oscar Wilde asserts that the receiver of a work of art must play a dynamic role in the construction of its meaning, and the analysis of his only novel shows that Wilde encourages the reader to participate actively in its production in order to be able to find out the lesson which is inherent in it. As a result, the research shows that The Picture of Dorian Gray is representative of Wilde’s aesthetic principles not only because it promotes the individuality of the reader but also because the moral in it is subordinated to its artistic effects.

"An excellent collection of some of Oscar Wilde's key works. A useful and representative selection of his writings, ideal for those not already familiar with his trademark wit or his more serious work, but equally valuable for the Wilde devotee." — newbooks magazine Poet and playwright Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) wrote sparkling comedies that were the toast of London's West End in the 1890s. The master of the witty epigram who could resist anything except temptation, Wilde was imprisoned by an unjust society and died in obscurity, but his enduring works continue to enchant readers and audiences. The Irish author's only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, appears in this splendid showcase of his philosophy and wit. Additional selections include Wilde's ever-popular comedies The Importance of Being Earnest and An Ideal Husband; his essay on aestheticism, "The Decay of Lying: An Observation"; his deeply moving prison letter, "De Profundis"; and fairy tales from A House of Pomegranates and The Happy Prince.

This Prestwick House Literary Touchstone Edition includes a glossary and reader!=s notes to help the modern reader appreciate Wilde's wry wit and elaborate plot twists.Oscar Wilde's madcap farce about mistaken identities, secret engagements, and lovers? entanglements still delights readers more than a century after its 1895 publication and premiere performance. The rapid-fire wit and eccentric characters of The Importance of Being Earnest have made it a mainstay of the high school curriculum for decades.Cecily Cardew and Gwendolen Fairfax are both in love with the same mythical suitor. Jack Worthing has wooed Gewndolen as Ernest while Algernon has also posed as Ernest to win the heart of Jack's ward, Cecily. When all four arrive at Jack's country home on the same weekend'the "rivals" to fight for Ernest's undivided attention and the "Ernests" to claim their beloveds'pandemonium breaks loose.Only a senile nursemaid and an old, discarded hand-bag can save the day