The Cambridge Companion to Oscar Wilde

The essential 1997 guide to one of the theatre's most important characters, with an opening essay by Merlin Holland, Oscar Wilde's grandson.

Part One places 19th-century dramatist and writer Oscar Wilde's work within the cultural and historical context of his time and includes an opening essay by Wilde's grandson, Merlin Holland. The rest of the book examines the themes and factors that shaped Wilde's work, including his view of the Victorian woman, his conflicting sexual identities, and the interpretation of his work in performance. 20 photos.

List of illustrations and acknowledgements; Notes on contributors; Preface; Chronology; Part I. Context: 1. Biography and the art of lying Merlin Holland; 2. Wilde and the Victorians Regenia Gagnier; 3. Wilde and the Dandyism of the senses Stephen Calloway; Part II. Wilde's Work: 4. Wilde as poet Karl Beckson and Bobby Fong; 5. Wilde the journalist John Stokes; 6. Wilde as critic and theorist Lawrence Danson; 7. Wilde's fiction(s) Jerusha McCormack; 8. Distance, death, and desire in Salome Joseph Donahue; 9. Wilde's comedies of society Peter Raby; 10. The Importance of Being Earnest Russell Jackson; Part III. Themes and Influences: 11. A verdict of death: Oscar Wilde, actresses, and Victorian women Kerry Powell; 12. 'A Complex, Multiform Creature' - Wilde's sexual identities Joseph Bristow; 13. Wilde's plays: some lines of influence Richard Allen Cave; 14. Wilde on stage Joel Kaplan; 15. Oscar Wilde: the resurgence of lying Declan Kiberd; Bibliography; Index.