The question as to whether Oscar Wilde was a socialist or not appears difficult to answer definitively. Differing opinions exist and a range of arguments have been put forth surrounding the issue. Wilde was a recognized figure in English literature and, as his autobiographical works often allude to the poor circumstances of working people, the suggestion of his being socially conscious is valid. However, the complexity of Wilde’s social views means the question of his being a socialist can only be answered in a tentative manner.
An examination of Wilde’s position on social issues indicates that he was far more likely to support progressive ideological perspectives when compared to extreme leftist views. His belief in humanistic values is evidenced in works such as ‘The Soul of Man Under Socialism’ where Wilde claims that the individual’s ‘sovereignty’ should never be violated. This suggests he was more in favor of social reform opposed to revolution. Writing in a similar strain The Decay of Lying claims that change in society comes through ‘moral and social progress’ alone.
In terms of evidence for Wilde being a socialist, little of substance presents itself aside from his intrinsic sympathy for the plight of the working classes. Whilst his outlook suggests a greater sensitivity towards issues of inequality, a certain amount of his writings have a tendency towards criticism of social reforms being made in his time. This can be seen in The Soul of Man Under Socialism where he comments on a perceived ‘enduring craving for equality’. Taken in this context, suggestions of him being a socialist appear to be slightly hollow.
What we can conclude from Wilde’s work therefore is that his views on society were informed by an understanding of the less privileged in society and a desire for reform, but without necessarily committing himself to labels such as socialism. This being said, in the context of Wilde’s progressive views, sporadic references to materialistic reward suggests he wasn’t completely opposed to more radical solutions to social problems.
It may be true to say, then, that Wilde’s sympathies lay with those who struggled in society, but it would be too contradictory to claim he was a firm adherent of the socialist cause. He supported a similar political agenda to some extent, but his points of view on specific matters were often both dynamic and contradictory.
Wilde’s Misanthropic Beliefs
Aside from his views on socialism, Wilde held a strange set of misanthropic beliefs on the human race. He believed there to be an inherent nihilistic drive amongst us which was to be expected and accepted with a sense of resignation. Writing in The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde claims the only sense of fulfillment an individual could gain was through ‘experiencing life in whatever shape it presents itself’. Here, Wilde eschews any suggestion of a greater moral purpose for humanity and claims it creates its own path in life.
However, in discussing the notion of ‘self-realization’ as a source of individual truth, one can infer Wilde’s suggestion of humanist values as a means of liberation. This is consistent with his support for the concept of non-authoritarian individualism, which is often linked inextricably to a sense of social reform. This leads to the clear suggestion that Wilde’s ideas on the individual accorded a certain level of sympathy for the plight of the working classes.
Wilde’s suggestion of the individual being willing to traverse large distances to achieve ‘self-satisfaction’ is also congruent with several of socialist doctrines. It may point to Wilde being in favour of western-style social reform, which could be seen as a less confrontational approach to the issue of class equality. This is unsurprising given Wilde was often seen as maintaining a socialist political viewpoint without actually affirming it openly.
Ultimately, it is difficult to define Wilde as a socialist because his varied views combined social reform with aspects that were not strictly related to the socialist cause. He acknowledged the plight of the underprivileged and in some instances, agreed with principles of social reform. However, his overall outlook on the human race appears to have taken precedence, with evidence of his unwillingness to be associated with any one political or social group.
Wilde and Aestheticism
The other major concept of Wilde’s work is his Aestheticism, which is often seen to go hand-in-hand with his socialist views. This is where Wilde expresses his love of art, culture and beauty and how they should be appreciated and respected within society. Writing in the Decay of Lying Wilde makes the claim that ‘no great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist’. Here, Wilde is arguably implying that one of the essential elements to artistic production is an element of distance from the world in its ‘real’ form.
The idea of Aestheticism is linked to socialism in that Wilde considers it a way of liberating individuals from stifling cultural norms. He claims that divesting from the notions of ‘real life’ into the realm of aesthetic beliefs gives us the potential to create our own version of reality. This has implications with regards to the subjugation of the working classes, since giving them the means to create their own sphere of expression helps to empower them to some degree.
How this plays into the debate of whether Wilde is a socialist or not is complex. It could be argued that Wilde is more Vintonized in his approach than socialist, but his Aestheticism could be seen as a potential tool of societal reform. This then brings back the notion of Wilde’s embracing of progressive values without specifically committing to a particular socio-political ideology, further leading to a question mark over his socialist beliefs.
Wilde’s Status in English Literature
From a historical point of view, what becomes most obvious from this debate is the confusion surrounding Wilde’s commitment to socialism. His status in English literature is often linked to certain socio-political aspects, though what exactly those views constitute is debatable. His various publications have provided material for a number of ideological standpoints and it appears that Wilde himself was never wholly committed to any single one.
Clarity on the matter is difficult to come by, as Wilde was rarely unambiguous in his writings. Nevertheless, his overall support for progressive values and calls for social reform indicate that he sympathized with the plight of the working classes, albeit without formally subscribing to socialist beliefs. This means that the question of whether Oscar Wilde was a socialist should probably remain unanswered.
Wilde’s Criticism of Society
Wilde’s outlook on the world was made clear through his frequent criticisms of society. He was a fierce advocate of individual liberty and believed it was a measure of true freedom. Writing in The Soul of Man Under Socialism, Wilde makes a number of key points that tie into this theme, including his disdain for enforced economic rigidity. He claims ‘despotism is the father of order, and liberty the mother of progress’, potentially alluding to his embracing of freer, more socially progressive values.
In commenting on the structure of society, Wilde expresses a desire for reform that appears to align with aspects of socialism. However, a closer look at his work reveals that beneath these expressions lies a discontent for any set ideology; instead, Wilde’s view of society is one of constant flux. He expresses his belief that change always wins out over stability, citing ‘the slow and gradual waning of a dying cause’ as a representation of opposing views.
Furthermore, Wilde’s point of view seems to suggest a more formless approach to social reform. He calls for progress without getting involved in dictating terms as to how that progress should be achieved, though still upholding his convictions as to humanistic values and collective resilience.
Taken in this context, Wilde’s criticism of society appears more aligned towards a rejection of totalitarian ideals than an embracing of socialist values. He was certainly a champion of individual liberty and in a sense, wished to take a more pacifistic approach to class inequality by advocating change through the means of social reform.
Wilde’s Comical and Lighthearted Endeavours
It would be remiss to overlook Rupert Everrett’s film The Happy Prince when looking at Wilde’s relationship with socialism. Here, Wilde is portrayed as a highly sympathetic individual whose actions have a clear message of social justice. The movie presents a compelling argument for Wilde’s deep understanding of the prevailing social conditions of his day and his desire to alleviate the suffering of the less privileged.
Moreover, many British humourists take a very critical view of society and its less savoury aspects. Wilde was in many ways at the forefront of this comedic renaissance, with pieces such as The Importance of Being Earnest presenting the prevailing follies of British society in a lighthearted and humorous manner.
The notion of Wilde having a kind of ‘hidden’ socialist agenda therefore appears to have some validity. To some degree, one can identify Wilde’s affinity towards progressive and reformist views, as was demonstrated through his use of humour and lightheartedness to address difficult subjects. Such a view of Wilde is perhaps most encapsulated in his own words, ‘A map of the world that does not include Utopia is not even worth glancing at, for it leaves out the one country at which Humanity is always landing’.
Wilde and the Limitations of Social Reform
Wilde’s relationship with socialism reveals complexity and contradictions, revealing the flaws with any attempt to categorise his political views. What is certain however is that Wilde’s ideals are clearly informed by his own experiences and views on the world. The suggestion therefore is that Wilde was less concerned with being labelled a socialist and more concerned with highlighting the failings of the traditional models of society.
At the same time, Wilde is aware of the limitations of social reform, particularly in a cultural sense. Writing in The Picture of Dorian Gray, he suggests that only those with the means to do so can experience art in its purest form. This implies that Wilde does not solely hold out hope for progressive social reform to fix society, but instead places emphasis on the individual practising their own form of autonomy in order to improve their circumstances.
That said, Wilde remains open to more extreme ideologies, as is exemplified in his criticism of enforced moral statutes in The Soul of Man Under Socialism. Here, Wilde acknowledges that societal stability can act as a powerful tool of oppression and implies a form of collectivism as a possible solution. Taking into account Wilde’s support of the individual’s right to autonomy, his views on socialism appear to remain in a state of tension with those of traditional socialists.
Wilde’s Support for Social Reform
If one takes a step back from the debate of whether Oscar Wilde was a socialist or not then a more precise appreciation of his views appears. For example, considering Wilde’s calls for social reform, it can be suggested that his views are largely in line with the progressive values of the 19th century. His work contains a level of understanding for those who struggle in society, illustrated by his sympathy for the plight of the working classes and their need for improved circumstances.
On a more direct level, there are indications of Wilde’s willingness to put his money where his mouth is. He often donated money to charitable causes, his support of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) being an indication of his advocacy of reform. Moreover, his open criticism of the British class system is an example of his belief in social and political reform.
In this sense, Wilde’s incorporation of progressive values without conclusively stating his sole allegiance to any particular social or political ideology is particularly telling. His views on class struggle and individual autonomy suggest he sympathised with those who suffered at the hands of a tyrannical social structure, though was keen to look from a simplified perspective.
At the end of it all, whilst there is no denying Wilde’s progressive values, his reputation as a socialist remains inconclusive. This is perhaps
