Speaking broadly, Oscar Wilde has left behind a vast and impressive body of work. He was a prolific writer and one of the most celebrated Irish authors of the late-nineteenth century. Although he is best known for his plays, essays, and novels, Wilde wrote a sizable number of pieces of literature and poetry. Calculating an exact figure is difficult, as a number of his books have been lost or remain unpublished. Yet, it is safe to say that in his lifetime Wilde authored between twenty-five and fifty books.
Early Works
Wilde’s earliest works were mostly prose, with his first collection of poems, Ravenna, being published in 1878. He followed this with a series of moving essays, particularly on topics related to aestheticism, and some short tales. His first extended work was not published until 1891: The Picture of Dorian Gray, a novel which Today is considered to be one of his most seminal works. Shortly thereafter, Wilde wrote Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime and Other Stories, a collection of short tales, as well as Intentions, an essay compilation. Four years later came his most famous play The Importance of Being Earnest.
Novels and Poetry
Wilde also wrote several other novels, including The Picture of Dorian Gray, as well as The Sphinx Without a Secret, The Canterville Ghost, and A Women of No Importance. In addition, Wilde’s poetic works are distinguished by their intricate imagery and make use of a variety of metres and rhyme schemes. Poems, a large collection of his verse, was published in 1881, and four years later he added to this volume with A House of Pomegranates, a collection of narratives; Salomé, a poetic drama based on biblical themes; and finally The Ballad of Reading Gaol, a long narrative poem focusing on capital punishment.
Plays and Translations
Most of Wilde’s plays were written during the late Victorian period, the most famous being The Importance of Being Earnest. Some of his other plays include Lady Windermere’s Fan, A Woman of No Importance and An Ideal Husband. Wilde also made various translations, mostly of French plays and works. These include Le Roi s’Amuse by Victor Hugo, and more significantly, Salomé, a play by Henri Meilhac.
The Literary Canon
Today, Wilde continues to be held in high regard by literary scholars and is considered to be one of the giants of English literature. As a result, much of this work has been re-imagined and adapted to suit modern tastes, most notably The Importance of Being Earnest, which has been adapted numerous times to theatre and film. The visual, literary and cultural impact of Wilde’s works is an ever-growing phenomenon and has, in many ways, contributed to his lasting reputation as one of England’s most renowned authors.
Influence on Later Works
Wilde’s influence is present in several contemporary works. His novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, for instance, was influential in the realm of Gothic literature and many subsequent writers have used the story as a reference point for more modern works. Wilde’s writings are also seen as a precursor to the decadent literature of writers such as Charles Baudelaire and Joris-Karl Huysmans. Additionally, Wilde’s overarching themes of wit, glamour and aestheticism were taken up and re-appropriated by a variety of writers in the twentieth century; including Evelyn Waugh, DBC Pierre and TS Eliot.
Adaptations of Wilde’s Works
Wilde’s works have had a lasting impact on literature and art, with several plays and stories being adapted to other mediums. Shakespearean adaptions of plays such as Lady Windermere’s Fan, which was first performed on stage in 1896, have been performed in several versions around the world. There have been numerous adaptations of The Picture of Dorian Gray, including the 1945 and 2009 films adaptations. A variety of plays, such as Salome and An Ideal Husband, have been adapted to the screen, with Wilde’s writing influencing the success and respectability of plays and films to this day.
Value of Wilde’s Writing in the 21st Century
Wilde has become a major figure in cultural and literary discourse, and the significance of his works continues to be felt in the 21st century. His plays, novels, and essays still draw readers today, and films, which are often adaptations of his works, remain popular in the eyes of audiences. Particularly, The Picture of Dorian Gray has inspired numerous authors working in multiple genres, and continues to hold relevance in the discussion of politics, culture and identity. Beside this, Wilde’s notes on art, mythology and culture remain part of the broader discourse in the realm of aesthetics. Overall, the writing of Oscar Wilde continues to be valued for its unique blend of wit, polemics and sharp social commentary.
