Complete Works of Oscar Wilde by Oscar Wilde Summary

Complete Works of Oscar Wilde is a comprehensive anthology of Wilde’s literary masterpieces, including his only novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, iconic plays like The Importance of Being Earnest, poetry, essays, and personal letters. The collection highlights Wilde’s wit, exploration of aesthetics, and critiques of Victorian society, enriched with illustrations and expert commentary from figures like his grandson Merlin Holland.

This book is ideal for lovers of classic literature, drama enthusiasts, and readers interested in Wilde’s sharp social commentary. Scholars will appreciate critical essays and letters like De Profundis, while casual readers enjoy timeless plays and stories such as The Happy Prince. The volume’s breadth makes it a staple for anyone exploring late 19th-century literature.

Yes—Wilde’s works remain culturally significant for their humor, moral complexity, and lyrical beauty. The anthology offers unparalleled access to his genius, from the decadent philosophy of Dorian Gray to the biting satire of An Ideal Husband. Critical introductions and rare letters add depth, making it essential for understanding Wilde’s legacy.

Wilde’s writing explores beauty vs. morality, societal hypocrisy, and individualism. Dorian Gray critiques vanity and corruption, while plays like Lady Windermere’s Fan satirize upper-class conventions. His fairy tales, such as The Selfish Giant, blend whimsy with moral lessons, and essays like The Decay of Lying champion art’s superiority over reality.

The collection features Wilde’s four major society comedies: The Importance of Being Earnest, An Ideal Husband, Lady Windermere’s Fan, and A Woman of No Importance. These plays mix witty dialogue with critiques of Victorian norms, cementing Wilde’s reputation as a master of satire and theatrical innovation.

The Picture of Dorian Gray embodies Wilde’s belief in “art for art’s sake,” questioning the cost of eternal youth and beauty. The novel’s hedonistic protagonist and symbolic portrait explore themes of morality, narcissism, and the duality of public vs. private selves, reflecting Wilde’s fascination with aestheticism and societal judgment.

Iconic lines include:

• “All art is quite useless” (The Picture of Dorian Gray).
• “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance” (An Ideal Husband).
• “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars” (Lady Windermere’s Fan).
  These quotes underscore Wilde’s wit and philosophical depth.

Wilde’s trial for homosexuality and imprisonment shaped later works like De Profundis, a poignant letter on suffering and redemption. Themes of secrecy and societal rejection recur in The Ballad of Reading Gaol and his plays, reflecting his own struggles with identity and public scandal.

Some readers find Wilde’s essays overly verbose or repetitive, and his poetry less accessible than his prose. Critics argue his comedies prioritize style over substance, though others praise their timeless satire. The anthology’s sheer size (1,200+ pages) may overwhelm casual readers.

Wilde mocks Victorian social norms through absurd scenarios and paradoxical dialogue. In The Importance of Being Earnest, characters prioritize trivialities like cucumber sandwiches, lampooning upper-class frivolity. His plays use humor to expose hypocrisy around marriage, gender roles, and morality.

Wilde’s themes—individualism, artistic freedom, and societal critique—resonate in modern debates about identity and censorship. His advocacy for self-expression aligns with contemporary movements, while his plays remain staples in theater, reflecting enduring human follies.

Unlike single-genre collections, Wilde’s anthology spans novels, poetry, drama, and essays, showcasing versatility. It offers a more curated experience than broader Victorian anthologies, with cohesive themes of aestheticism and rebellion. Fans of Dickens’ social realism or Poe’s gothic tales may find Wilde’s wit and irony uniquely refreshing.