Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and Other Stories pdf

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish playwright, poet, and novelist who is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of the Victorian era. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, and educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and Magdalen College, Oxford. Wilde was a flamboyant figure in Victorian society, known for his wit, dandyism, and homosexuality, which was then considered a crime.

Wilde's literary career began in the 1880s, when he gained popularity with his comedic plays, including "Lady Windermere's Fan," "A Woman of No Importance," and "The Importance of Being Earnest." These plays were known for their clever wordplay, social commentary, and satirical portrayal of Victorian society.

In addition to his plays, Wilde also wrote novels, including "The Picture of Dorian Gray," which tells the story of a beautiful young man who makes a Faustian pact to remain young and beautiful while his portrait ages and becomes ugly. The novel caused controversy when it was first published in 1890 because of its decadent themes and homoerotic undertones.

Despite his literary success, Wilde's personal life was tumultuous. In 1895, he was convicted of homosexual acts and sentenced to two years of hard labor. The trial and subsequent imprisonment destroyed his reputation and health, and he died in Paris in 1900, at the age of 46.

Wilde's legacy lives on through his works, which continue to be celebrated for their wit, humor, and social commentary. His writing has influenced generations of writers, and his plays continue to be performed and adapted for film and television. Today, Wilde is remembered not only as a great writer, but also as a symbol of resistance against Victorian moralism and hypocrisy.

Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and Other Stories pdf by Oscar Wilde

"Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and Other Stories" is a collection of short stories written by Oscar Wilde and first published in 1891. The collection includes some of Wilde's most famous short stories, including "The Canterville Ghost" and "The Sphinx Without a Secret."

The titular story, "Lord Arthur Savile's Crime," follows the titular character, a wealthy young man, who is told by a palm reader that he will commit murder. Rather than live with the uncertainty, Arthur decides to commit the murder before he marries his fiancée, so as not to jeopardize their future together. The story is a clever satire of Victorian society, poking fun at the obsession with fate and destiny.

Other stories in the collection include "The Sphinx Without a Secret," in which a young man becomes obsessed with a woman who seems to have no secrets, and "The Model Millionaire," in which a poor artist is rewarded for his kindness to a beggar with a large sum of money.

One of the standout stories in the collection is "The Portrait of Mr. W. H.," which is a fictional essay exploring the mystery surrounding Shakespeare's sonnets. In the story, a man becomes convinced that the sonnets were written to a young actor named Willie Hughes, and that the portrait of Hughes holds the key to understanding the true meaning of the sonnets.

Overall, "Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and Other Stories" showcases Wilde's wit and cleverness in a series of entertaining and thought-provoking short stories. The collection is a great introduction to Wilde's work, and a must-read for fans of Victorian literature and satire.