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The Importance of Being Oscar Wilde EssayAmong the authors of the modern nineteenth century in Britain, none perhaps has surpassed the reputation and press accorded to the inimitable Oscar Wilde. With controversies plaguing most aspects of his flavorfrom his writing to his personal lifeWilde has unconstipatedtually become an icon of his generation, resonating with readers far and wide, m whatsoever celebrating his uncommon voice and alternative thinking. The man as a poet, playwright, and fiction writer used his wit and recognition as healthy as a sharp way with words to realize masterpieces that have finally become part of the literary canon. Two of these, The Importance of Being Earnest and The mental image of Dorian Gray, are some of the most studied in literary scholarship worldwide, and are practically responsible for catapulting Wilde into iconic status. However, much of the persona of the famed writer included his unconventional sexuality, as well as the notori ous period of his incarceration but, as it normally happens to exceptional talent, the work was able to fight through the blot and shine on its own merits, earning the admiration of readers throughout the centuries. II. A Wilde Hi accountOscar Wilde was born in October 16, 1854 in Dublin, Ireland, to wealthy parents, a writer and a surgeon. Aside from spending most of his childhood in the conjunction of the equally rich, including summers in modernistic homes, Wilde eventually began his education in Greek literature classics. During his time as a college student, he found his affinity for Aestheticism, which centered on the concept of using life to create art. This manifested in Wildes countenance and choice of clothing and lifestyle, constantly deferring to art-related symbols and female representations rather than masculine endeavors the likes of sports.Wilde also did a substantial amount of writing during this time and completed his course with honors however, his controversi al calculate appeared to have started as many of his fellow students professed a great dislike for his unconventional attitude and look of expression. Because masculinitypart and parcel of Victorian patriarchyexcluded any association with flamboyance in feminine terms, many critics openly attacked Wildes lifestyle and writing. The writers apparent homosexuality was largely cogitate upon, and some even referred to him as a negative influence on the youth.Though Oscar Wilde married a woman, Constance Lloyd, with whom he had two sons, his sexual preference and activities were always called into question. Because of his observed relationships with some(prenominal) men, including Lord Alfred Douglas, Wilde became the subject of rib and offense his affair with Douglas, due to the mans political family, was eventually the reason canful his much-publicized effort and imprisonment. Oscar Wilde passed in 1900, and was buried in Paris where he retreated after beingness freed from jail. He chose to never return to his native Ireland or to Britain (Merriman, pars 1-10). III. The Picture of Dorian Gray This 1891 falsehood, which started as a short chronicle published in a magazine, is the only realized work of its genre by Wilde. Largely considered fashionable for its time owing to its gothic horror theme, The Picture of Dorian Gray embodies much of the qualities associated with Wilde himselfart as the center of life, beauty, and homosexualityand thus was received during its launch with the kind of controversy identified with Wilde all his life.The mind-gripping story revolves around a young, extremely handsome man named Dorian Gray, and the painting of his likeness created by an artist named Basil Hallward. Apparently, the artist was greatly enamored by Dorians beauty, which urged him to paint the enactment. However, due to Dorians acquaintance with the concept of hedonism and the sole pursuit of beauty, he makes a wish for the painting to analyze on his physica l aging while Dorians actual body remained young and beautiful. unless for each of Dorians sins, changes would take place in the paintingwhich ultimately mirrored his individualand make it more grotesque at every turn.His growing fear of seeing his own portrait age led him to affirm his love for beauty even more, and his rejection of everything he deemed unqualified made its home run in every occurrence. In the end, Dorian accuses and kills Basil for bringing this all upon him and attempts to correct all his perceived ills in the hopes of having the portrait return to its normal state. This did not happen, as Dorian was unable to feel sin or remorse thus he tried to destroy the painting, which only caused his own aging and death.The portrait, however, returned to its complete condition. The dual themes of aestheticism, or the celebration of art and beauty, and homosexuality are present in the novel, both being embodied by Dorian Gray himself. His narcissistic view of beauty and self rendered him at an perennial state of discontent, though, and subjects all those who come near him to his exacting ways. These were all part of Oscar Wildes personal political orientationthe decision to make life an art, constantly seeking for beauty and perfectionwhich he carried out consistently.However, the novel was considered immoral and dirty by the critics of the time, due to the themes projected in the text. IV. The Importance of Being Earnest Oscar Wildes hugely popular work is undoubtedly a satire about Victorian societys rules and regulations, of expectations and etiquette, of hypocrisy and fakeness. It was originally staged in 1895 in London. The famous three-act play is a comedy that go around around the deception and resulting confusion regarding the use of the name Ernest, which was appropriated by a young man at varying occasions alternating with his real name.Consequently, he meets people who know him through different names, and even falls for a lady who w ould only marry someone named Ernest. In the maddening turn of events, wherein accusations regarding verity and honesty are made, it is discovered that his name is indeed Ernest, and thus the play ends with all romantic couples contented and in love. Clearly, through the mode of comedy, Wilde intended to poke fun at the straitlaced community that frowned upon any deviation from the kind of convention they themselves set.What makes it even more humorous and tongue-in-cheek is the fact that this same society, behind closed doors, defies its own rules while maintaining a consistent and steady front, because of the complications arising from the numerous social obligations necessary to be observed. The trivial and petty arguments coming from the simple use of a name is representative of the superficiality of social obligation, exemplified by the character Gwendolens refusal to marry anyone not named Ernest. While received positively by critics, the exploration of homosexuality in the text was unavoidable, considering Wildes reputation.Some claimed that the name Ernest subtly referred to being homosexual, and this was somehow corroborate by references to earlier poems by other writers that used this kind of logic, as in John Nicholsons poem Of Boys Names. Nevertheless, other critics and even the actors who had worked on the play denied the claim, and explicitly declared how there was no reference or implication of homosexuality in the piece. V. Other working and Controversies Oscar Wilde was a prolific writer, churning out exceptional works in the form of poetry, short stories, as well as numerous other plays.He also professed his brand of politics, as evidenced by the stupefying collection of articles he published under the titles of The Decay of Lying, The Soul of Man Under fabianism, and De Profundis all three contained concepts that heralded Wildes affinity for aestheticism and socialism. Sadly, Wildes public persona was better know for the controversial trial that marred his career, and largely implicated him as an example of immorality arising from homosexual appearance and influence.Gross indecency was the actual crime for which he was being accused, and the event, which was drawn out for a several years, caused Wilde to permanently perish Britain (FireBlade Coffeehouse Oscar Wilde). VI. Conclusion The intelligence and uniqueness of Oscar Wilde are the qualities that made him the great writer he was, and his conscious deviation from tradition and convention assured the public of works that were always new-fashioned and insightful. However, as with lives tainted by controversy, Wilde could only push his efforts to a degree he could only leave his literary legacies to a future society.And that he did, with his literature accorded the respect and recognition they deservealbeit after his death. Wilde was all the way ahead of his time, and his principles on art and beauty would be embraced by many other writers and artists of lat er generations. Works Cited FireBlade Coffeehouse Oscar Wilde. Negative Space. 28 June 2009 http//www. hoboes. com/html/FireBlade/Wilde/. Merriman, C. D. Oscar Wilde. 2008. Jalic Inc. 28 June 2009 http//www. online-literature. com/wilde/. Wilde, Oscar. The Importance of Being Earnest. Courier Dover Publications, 1990. Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Macmillan, 1999.