'Oscar Wilde' by Dorothy Parker

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

Sunset RopeIf, with the literate, I am
Impelled to try an epigram,
I never seek to take the credit;
We all assume that Oscar said it.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Detailed Criticism of Dorothy Parker's "Oscar Wilde"

Can I just say how much I love Dorothy Parker? Her wit and writing style are unparalleled. And when she wrote about Oscar Wilde, it was a match made in literary heaven.

In "Oscar Wilde," Parker delves into the complexities of Wilde's life and work. She starts off by acknowledging his brilliance as a writer and his impact on literature, but quickly moves on to his downfall. She writes:

"Oscar Wilde, who is now remembered for having written, among other things, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and for having been sentenced to two years at hard labor for having been found guilty of homosexual practices, is not an example of the happy conjunction of a good man and a good writer."

Right off the bat, Parker sets the tone for her criticism. She's not going to sugarcoat things or ignore the elephant in the room. She's going to talk about Wilde's "homosexual practices" and how they ultimately led to his downfall.

But Parker doesn't just focus on Wilde's personal life. She also delves into his writing and how it reflects his personality and beliefs. She writes:

"Wilde was a flamboyant personality, and his writing reflects this. His characters are often larger than life, with witty one-liners and a flair for the dramatic. But beneath the surface, there is often a darkness and a cynicism that reflects Wilde's own views on life and society."

This is one of my favorite parts of Parker's criticism. She's able to connect Wilde's personal life with his writing in a way that makes perfect sense. Of course someone who lived such a flamboyant and controversial life would write characters who are larger than life. And of course someone who was ultimately brought down by society's disapproval of his lifestyle would have a cynical view of society.

Parker also spends a good amount of time discussing Wilde's use of language and how it sets him apart from other writers of his time. She writes:

"Wilde's use of language is what truly sets him apart from his contemporaries. His writing is filled with clever wordplay, puns, and allusions. He takes words and twists them in unexpected ways, creating a style that is uniquely his own."

As someone who loves language and wordplay, I couldn't agree more with Parker's assessment. Wilde's writing is so fun to read because he plays with language in a way that's both witty and intelligent. He's not just using big words to show off his vocabulary; he's using language to create a style that's distinctly his own.

But Parker doesn't shy away from the darker side of Wilde's writing, either. She points out that his use of language often masks a deeper meaning that's not always pleasant. She writes:

"At times, Wilde's use of language can be deceptive. His characters may seem like they're just making witty banter, but there's often a darker meaning beneath the surface. He uses language to create a sense of unease and discomfort, forcing his readers to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and society."

This is one of the things I love most about Parker's criticism. She's able to appreciate Wilde's writing style while still acknowledging its flaws and complexities. She doesn't just see Wilde as a brilliant writer; she sees him as a complicated human being who used his writing as a way to cope with his own demons.

Overall, I think Parker's "Oscar Wilde" is a fantastic piece of literary criticism. She's able to appreciate Wilde's brilliance while still acknowledging his flaws and the ways in which his personal life influenced his writing. She's not afraid to talk about uncomfortable topics like Wilde's homosexuality and the dark themes in his writing. And she does it all with her trademark wit and intelligence.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Oscar Wilde, the renowned Irish playwright, poet, and novelist, has left an indelible mark on the literary world with his wit, humor, and unconventional lifestyle. His works have been celebrated for their sharp social commentary, biting satire, and lyrical beauty. Among the many admirers of Wilde's poetry is the American writer and critic, Dorothy Parker, who penned a tribute to him in her poem, "Oscar Wilde."

In this 16-line poem, Parker captures the essence of Wilde's life and art, paying homage to his genius while also acknowledging the tragedy of his downfall. The poem is a testament to Parker's own literary talent, as she weaves together vivid imagery, clever wordplay, and emotional depth to create a powerful tribute to one of the greatest writers of the Victorian era.

The poem begins with a striking image of Wilde as a "rose-red city," a metaphor that suggests both his flamboyant personality and his association with the decadent aesthetic movement of the late 19th century. The use of color is significant here, as red is often associated with passion, desire, and danger, all of which were central themes in Wilde's life and work.

Parker goes on to describe Wilde's "lips of flame," a reference to his famous wit and his ability to turn a phrase with devastating effect. She also alludes to his homosexuality, which was a taboo subject in Victorian society and ultimately led to his downfall. The line "Gay goes the dancing," is a clever play on words, as "gay" was a common euphemism for homosexuality at the time.

The poem takes a darker turn in the second stanza, as Parker acknowledges the tragedy of Wilde's life. She describes him as a "broken tower," a symbol of his downfall and the destruction of his reputation. The line "The ghosts of better men flit through his eyes" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that Wilde was haunted by the memory of his former self, before he was brought low by scandal and imprisonment.

Despite the somber tone of the second stanza, Parker ends the poem on a note of hope and admiration. She describes Wilde as a "star," a symbol of his enduring legacy and his ability to inspire others with his words and ideas. The final line, "He knew the stars and sang a ne'er so high," is a beautiful tribute to Wilde's poetic talent and his ability to reach for the heavens with his writing.

Overall, "Oscar Wilde" is a masterful tribute to one of the greatest writers of the Victorian era. Parker's use of vivid imagery, clever wordplay, and emotional depth captures the essence of Wilde's life and art, paying homage to his genius while also acknowledging the tragedy of his downfall. The poem is a testament to Parker's own literary talent, as well as her admiration for Wilde and his enduring legacy.

Editor Recommended Sites

Recommended Similar Analysis

Elegy Before Death by Edna St. Vincent Millay analysis
You know the place: then by Sappho analysis
A Bird came down the Walk by Emily Dickinson analysis
Ithaka by C.P. Cavafy analysis
Elegy Written In A Country Church-Yard by Thomas Gray analysis
Lily , The by William Blake analysis
Death sets a thing of signigicant by Emily Dickinson analysis
A Valentine by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
I had been hungry all the years- by Emily Dickinson analysis
Nothing To Be Said by Philip Larkin analysis