An Eton Kit-Cat by Oscar Wilde

Name: An Eton Kit-Cat
Author: Oscar Wilde

The narrative centers on the friendship between Erskine and Cyril Graham, two boys from Eton. Erskine, older and more awkward, admires Cyril, who is charming, handsome, and somewhat effeminate. Cyril's parents died in a tragic accident, leaving him under the guardianship of Lord Crediton, who disapproves of Cyril's character and interests. Despite their differences, Erskine and Cyril bond over their shared experiences, particularly in the arts. Cyril's passion for poetry and acting is highlighted, especially his remarkable performance as Rosalind in a school production of "As You Like It." This role showcases his talent and captivates audiences, establishing him as a standout performer. However, Cyril's inclination towards the stage conflicts with societal expectations and his guardian's wishes, leading to tension in his life choices. As Cyril transitions to university, he neglects his studies in favor of theater and literature, revealing a struggle between ambition and the constraints imposed by his upbringing. Erskine reflects on Cyril's character, noting his charm and the superficiality that sometimes accompanies it. The narrative explores themes of beauty, talent, societal expectations, and the complexities of friendship, ultimately questioning the cost of pursuing one's passions in a world that often demands conformity.

By Oscar Wilde · First published 1879 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Drama · 1,184 words

First lines

"Well," said Erskine, lighting a cigarette, "I must begin by telling you / about Cyril Graham himself. He and I were at the same house at Eton. I / was a year or two older than he was, but we were immense friends, and did / all our work and all our play together. There was, of course, a good / deal more play than work, but I cannot say that I am sorry for that. It / is always an advantage not to have received a sound commercial education, / and what I learned in the playing fields at Eton has been quite as useful / to me as anything I was taught at Cambridge. I should tell you that / Cyril's father and mother were both dead. They had been drowned in a / horrible yachting accident off the Isle of Wight. His father had been in / the diplomatic service, and had married a daughter, the only daughter, in / fact, of old Lord Crediton, who became Cyril's guardian after the death / of his parents. I don't think that Lord Crediton cared very much for / Cyril. He had never really forgiven his daughter for marrying a man who / had not a title. He was an extraordinary old aristocrat, who swore like / a costermonger, and had the manners of a farmer. I remember seeing him / once on Speech-day.

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An Eton Kit-Cat is listed on Textopian as a short story by Oscar Wilde, dated 1879 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Oscar Wilde
Date: 1879 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Drama, Romance, Satire
Length: 1,184 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Literary Fiction — The narrative focuses on character development, relationships, and introspective themes, typical of literary fiction.
Coming-of-Age — The story explores the growth and experiences of the protagonist during formative years at Eton.
Drama — The emphasis on acting, performance, and emotional conflicts aligns with dramatic themes.
Romance — The exploration of beauty, attraction, and personal relationships suggests romantic elements.