Oscar Wilde: an Idler's Impression
Oscar Wilde: An Idler's Impression is a biography of the famous Irish playwright and poet, Oscar Wilde. Written by Edgar Saltus, the book is a collection of anecdotes, observations, and reflections on Wilde's life and works. It covers his early life, his rise to fame, his relationships, his trials and imprisonment, and his death. Saltus also examines Wilde's writing, his wit, and his influence on the literary world. The book is an intimate portrait of Wilde, and a tribute to his genius.
By Edgar Saltus · First published 1917 · Genre: Biography, Literary Criticism, History · 2,742 words
First lines
Years ago, in a Paris club, one man said to another: "Well, what's up?" The other shook a paper: "There is only one genius in England and they have put him in jail."
One may wonder though whether it were their doing, or even Wilde's, that put him there. One may wonder whether it were not the high fates who so gratified him in order that, from his purgatory, he might rise to a life more evolved. But that view is perhaps obvious. Wilde himself, who was the least mystic of men, accepted it. In the "De Profundis," after weighing his disasters, he said: "Of these things I am not yet worthy."
What this Textopian page supports
Oscar Wilde: an Idler's Impression is listed on Textopian as an essay by Edgar Saltus, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Edgar Saltus
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Biography, Literary Criticism, History, Essay
- Length: 2,742 words
- Structure: 1 section, 36 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Oscar Wilde: an Idler's Impression by Edgar Saltus
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Oscar Wilde: an Idler's Impression?
- How does this essay by Edgar Saltus fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Biography first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- From A College Window by A. C. Benson
- Memoirs Of Arthur Hamilton by A. C. Benson
- Thomas Gray by A. C. Benson
- Henry More The Platonist by A. C. Benson
- Andrew Marvell by A. C. Benson
- Escape And Other Essays by A. C. Benson
Genres
- Biography — The book is a biography of Oscar Wilde, written by Edgar Saltus.
- Literary Criticism — The book is an impression of Oscar Wilde's life and works, written by Edgar Saltus.
- History — The book provides an historical account of Oscar Wilde's life and works, written by Edgar Saltus.
- Essay — The book is an essay on Oscar Wilde's life and works, written by Edgar Saltus.
Tags
1854-1900 · 1900 · Criticism and interpretation · Oscar · Wilde · always · came · could · die · dinner · even · genius