Oscar Wilde’s ‘De Profundis’ is a powerful and heartbreaking letter written from prison after his conviction for sodomy. It is an autobiographical reflection on his time in jail and his relationships with his family, his lover and his society. The letter is a critical piece of Wilde’s canon, and resonates powerfully in the modern era.
The first section of ‘De Profundis’ was published by Amazon in 2005. It quickly became a popular item due to its captivating narrative and the poignancy of Wilde’s reflections on suffering and regret. The second edition of ‘De Profundis’ was annotated in 2011, with a foreword written by Wilde’s grandson Merlin Holland.
The message of ‘De Profundis’ is one of self-reflection and repentance. Wilde expresses remorse for his life choices, particularly for his relationship with his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas. He outlines the consequences of their broken relationship, including the downfall of both their reputations. Wilde further examines the role of the law in his case, questioning the morality of his sentence.
‘De Profundis’ is also a reflection on Wilde’s relationship with his family. His wife, Constance Wilde, comes in for particular criticism as Wilde questions her responses and decisions throughout the course of their post-prison lives. The letter is marked by occasional anger and bitterness, as Wilde confronts his own role in his tragedy.
Wilde’s use of the biblical language of repentance and longing is an interesting facet of the text. The letter takes its title from the Latin quote ‘De Profundis Clamavi’, meaning ‘Out of the depths, I have cried’. The biblical quote underscores Wilde’s spiritual beliefs, highlighting his honesty and humanity.
The Amazon edition of ‘De Profundis’ includes an essay by scholars entitled ‘Reading De Profundis: Interpretations of Wilde’s Letter’. This essay carefully outlines different theories of interpretation, offering different points of view on the letter’s themes and on Wilde himself.
This edition of ‘De Profundis’ is a must-read for anyone interested in the work of Oscar Wilde, or in the social and cultural history of late-Victorian England. Beyond its immense literary value, ‘De Profundis’ provides an important insight into Wilde’s internal struggles, and on the complex nature of human relationships.
The Impact of De Profundis on Modern Literature
Oscar Wilde’s ‘De Profundis’ has had a lasting impact on modern literature. Wilde’s writing style and the unique structure of the letter combine to create a text that is emotionally captivating and conceptually thought-provoking. Wilde’s use of the biblical motif of repentance has been adopted by numerous other authors, while the themes of love, suffering and personal growth are still relevant to readers today.
Wilde’s popularity has been enduring. His work has been the subject of plays, films and television series, while his 1912 play ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ remains a popular text in school curriculums. ‘De Profundis’ is essential in understanding his body of work as a whole, and the social and political aspects of late-Victorian life.
Wilde’s letter to Lord Alfred Douglas has also been the source material for playwrights. For example, in 1996, playwright David Hare wrote the play ‘Dream of De Profundis’, which dramatises the events and ideas contained in Wilde’s text. Other works such as ‘The Character of a Happy Life’ (2005) by P.G. Wodehouse and ‘The Magical Reeds’ (2007) by Marjorie Garber also incorporate elements of Wilde’s letter.
‘De Profundis’ has had a profound influence on modern literature, cinema and television. It is a testament to Wilde’s genius that his text has endured for over a century, and his powerful and poignant observations from prison remain relevant in today’s society.
The Historical Context of De Profundis
Oscar Wilde wrote ‘De Profundis’ during his two-year sentence in Reading Gaol. It was an era of dramatic social change, with the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 making sodomy a crime punishable with up to two years’ imprisonment. Wilde’s case was highly publicised, and his trial and conviction were used as a public example of the Victorian moral standard.
In his letter, Wilde was developing more personal themes as well as historical ones. He was exploring the idea of moral responsibility and his own culpability in the events leading to his imprisonment, as well as his relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas and its consequences.
The writing of ‘De Profundis’ has cultural significance, as it marked a shift in Wilde’s literary style. Previously Wilde had been associated with light, comic writing, but ‘De Profundis’ marked the beginning of a new phase in his writing, wherein he explored more serious and personal themes. This shift in direction was deeply informed by Wilde’s experience of prison and of his own suffering.
Similarly, Wilde’s reflections on social injustice have been credited with inspiring political and socio-cultural changes. His words have contributed to modern-day understandings of and attitudes towards homosexuality, as well as broader social issues such as criminal justice and human rights.
The Critical Analysis of De Profundis
Numerous critical analyses of ‘De Profundis’ have been published over the years. These range from detailed biographical examinations of Wilde’s life to psychological examinations of his emotional state when writing the letter. Critics have also sought to identify underlying political messages, exploring Wilde’s views on justice and morality.
One school of thought argues that De Profundis is a piece of Wilde’s wit and irony in action. This view suggests that rather than being a genuine expression of remorse, the letter is in fact Wilde’s way of mocking the Victorian establishment, and the Victorian notion of morality.
The ambiguity of ‘De Profundis’ is a feature of the text that has often been commented upon. Critics have debated the sincerity of Wilde’s reflections in the letter and the extent to which his words are cynical observations about the failings of Victorian society.
The power of ‘De Profundis’ lies in the emotional intensity of Wilde’s reflections. His self-examination is a powerful and poignant insight into Wild’s emotional and spiritual landscape, and his complex understanding of human relationships.
The use of Symbolism in De Profundis
Wilde’s use of symbolism in ‘De Profundis’ has been widely commented upon by critics. Many of Wilde’s references are drawn from biblical passages and classical literature, giving his words a profound yet poetic quality. By using symbols and metaphors, Wilde is able to explore complex themes without being overly literal.
For example, the sea is a recurring image in ‘De Profundis’. This symbolises the idea of a journey, with Wilde cast as a lost sailor in search of spiritual moorings. His journey is a metaphor for his personal search for faith and understanding, and is a reflection of the journey many Christians take in search of spiritual enlightenment.
The symbol of the cross is also a frequent feature. The cross symbolises his sentence, as well as Westbrook’s suffering. Wilde’s references to Christ are often ambiguous, suggesting a complex mixture of guilt and longing for redemption.
Wilde’s use of symbolism is often subtle and open-ended. These symbols invite the reader to draw their own conclusions about Wilde’s deeply personal reflections. This is a key element of the text and adds to the emotionally poignant nature of his letter.
The Literary Structure of De Profundis
The literary structure of ‘De Profundis’ is an interesting and often overlooked aspect of the text. Wilde’s writing is characterised by long, winding passages of thoughtful introspection, interspersed with brief, angry outbursts. This creates a powerful contrast between different sections of the letter, which in turn reflects Wilde’s changing emotions throughout his time in prison.
Wilde also frequently employs rhetorical questions to challenge his own thoughts and ideas. By using this approach, Wilde is able to make the reader question their own assumptions and worldviews, boosting the reflective quality of the piece.
Similarly, Wilde often uses paradoxes to explore complex moral questions. These questions are central to the text and leave the reader with a multitude of potential answers. This is important in light of Wilde’s assertion that morality is a construct of human understanding, and that our knowledge and experience are often limited and imperfect.
The language of ‘De Profundis’ also reflects the pain, longing and confusion present in Wilde’s thoughts. He employs a range of poetic techniques, such as alliteration and assonance, to give his words a lyrical quality. This further enhances the emotional poignancy of the letter, and the intense passion found in Wilde’s reflections.