Oscar Wilde Research Paper

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish writer, essayist, editor and poet. He was the second of three children born to Sir Robert Wills Wilde and Jane Francesca Wilde in Dublin, Ireland. Both parents were successful; Wilde’s mother was a writer and his father a surgeon. Wilde became fluent in German and French very early in life. After his initial years of schooling at home he attended Porotra Royal School in Enniskillen, Trinity College in Dublin and Magdalen College in Oxford. Wilde excelled in his studies and began to build his reputation as a poet.
Inspired by a vacation to Ravenna, Wilde won the Newdigate prize for poetry in 1878. He later began to practice his aesthetic mode of life. During this time he wore his hair long and dressed flamboyantly compared to typical styles of that time. He was often publicly caricatured and the target of moral outrage in America and Europe. His writings such as Dorian Gray had a homoerotic theme which also brought much controversy for him but he was part of a growing movement of “decadents’ who advocated libertarianism and social reform. While many criticized Wilde, he made his mark with style and had much success with his work. Wilde's direction in life changed because of the influence

One short story in particular was called “The Selfish Giant”. This story is a bright example of his intriguing and absorbing works. The story is about unselfish love. There is a Giant who doesn’t want any children playing in his garden. He builds a very high wall to keep all the children from coming in. He soon finds himself all alone and very unhappy. He spots a boy at the end of his garden that needs his help. The Giant helps the boy and realizes later in life he was an angel helping him all along. The author’s message of the story is very clear. Good always triumphs over evil. The story creates an atmosphere of a real fairy-tale. This is just one of Wilde’s many great