The Doer of Good by Oscar Wilde
A solitary figure approaches a vibrant city filled with joy and music. Upon entering, he encounters a marble house where a young man, adorned and indulging in luxury, reveals that he lives this way because he was once healed from leprosy. The figure, moving on, finds a young man captivated by a beautiful woman, who admits to being blind before receiving sight. The woman, adorned and alluring, acknowledges her past sins, claiming the sinful path is enjoyable due to the forgiveness she received. Continuing his journey, the figure meets a young man weeping by the roadside. This man, once dead and resurrected, expresses sorrow instead of joy, questioning the purpose of his life after such a miraculous return. The figure's encounters reveal a cycle of healing and indulgence, where those who have received grace often choose paths of excess or sorrow rather than gratitude or virtue. The narrative explores themes of redemption, the consequences of grace, and the human tendency to revert to familiar comforts, even when they lead to moral decay. Each character's response to their past reflects a deeper commentary on the nature of good and evil, the complexity of human desires, and the often unrecognized burdens of past salvation. The figure's journey serves as a poignant reminder of the choices individuals make in the face of their own histories and the societal pressures that shape their lives.
By Oscar Wilde · First published 1881 · Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Allegory, Religious Fiction · 528 words
First lines
It was night-time and He was alone.
And He saw afar-off the walls of a round city and went towards the city.
What this Textopian page supports
The Doer of Good is listed on Textopian as an essay by Oscar Wilde, dated 1881 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Oscar Wilde
- Date: 1881 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical Fiction, Allegory, Religious Fiction, Literary Fiction, Drama
- Length: 528 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Doer of Good by Oscar Wilde
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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- Life The Fallacious Model by Oscar Wilde
Genres
- Philosophical Fiction — The narrative explores deep moral and ethical questions about good and evil, redemption, and the nature of existence.
- Allegory — The characters and events symbolize broader concepts of sin, salvation, and the human condition.
- Religious Fiction — The text contains themes of healing and forgiveness, reminiscent of religious narratives.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is rich and poetic, focusing on character development and thematic depth.
Tags
Philosophical Fiction · Social Commentary · Moral Dilemma · Existential Crisis · Human Nature · Morality Play · Satire · Comedy of Manners · Literary Satire · Absurdism · Dark Humor · Critique of Society