Author Description
When Sir Rupert Hart-Davis's magnificent edition of The Letters of Oscar Wilde was first published in 1962, Cyril Connolly called it "a must for everyone who is seriously interested in the history of English literature - or European morals." From this edition, long out of print, Hart-Davis has culled a representative sample of the letters from each period of Wilde's life, "giving preference," as he says in his Introduction, "to those of literary interest, to the most amusing, and to those that throw light on his life and work." The long letter to Lord Alfred Douglas, known as De Profundis is printed in its entirety.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This collection investigates the personal and professional life of Oscar Wilde through his own correspondence to provide a comprehensive view of his intellectual development and moral struggles. Editor Rupert Hart-Davis curates these letters to highlight Wilde's literary contributions, his wit, and the tragic circumstances of his later years, utilizing the primary source material to offer an intimate portrait of the author.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A curated selection of correspondence spanning Wilde's entire life.
- The complete text of the letter to Lord Alfred Douglas, known as De Profundis.
- Insights into the literary and social circles of late 19th-century Europe.
Scope Limits
- This volume does not contain the entirety of Wilde's known correspondence.
- The collection focuses primarily on letters of literary or biographical significance rather than mundane administrative notes.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Critics and scholars regard this collection as a foundational resource for understanding the complexities of Wilde's personality and his artistic evolution. Readers frequently note that the selection provides a balanced view of his public persona and his private suffering, making it a standard text for those studying Victorian literature.
Page Count:
432
Publication Date:
1979-04-19
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192812181
ISBN-13:
9780192812186
Non-Fiction
Biography
Literary Criticism
European
Letters