A Wilde partnership

“There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about and that is not being talked about”- The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Who is your favourite writer?

It is a fairly straightforward question. A scholar who has spent years of their life studying countless works by dozens of authors may not be able to give you a definite answer as to what their all time favorite book is, but there is bound to be one particular writer who has been a source of inspiration to them in their career. For me that is Oscar Wilde; playwright, poet, intellectual and legendary man of wit.

I first encountered Mr. Wilde not through one of his great works but through his famous witticisms. Ever since I was a schoolboy I have always loved quotations, immortal turns of phrase left behind by famous figures. Really it all goes back to when I was studying poetry for the Leaving Cert; Seamus Heaney, W.B. Yeats, Emily Dickinson (still a personal favourite to this day) and I would make large mind maps connecting quotations from the poems to the work’s broader themes. While researching Yeats and his connection to other Irish literary figures I came across a book of Oscar Wilde quotations in the school library. Up until that point I had only heard his name but after reading the delightful collection of quips cover to cover I was interested in learning more and I even copied out some of my favourite quotes from the book for my collection (I told you I was a nerd).

After Leaving Cert I wanted to read as many books as I could before starting university. Among these titles was The Picture of Dorian Gray, which I vividly remember reading as I took it with me on one of my many trips to London with my mother. It was also with her that I first saw a production of The Importance of Being Earnest. As Wilde observes “All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does, that is his”. Every one of his works is quotable and entertaining but also offers an insightful look into the world of the 19th century in which they were written. Though today my specialty is early to mid-20th Century literature, the writing of the Victorian era has always captured my imagination.

“Society produces rogues and education makes one rogue cleverer than another”. Moving on to the University Years, when I was a 1st year Arts student I had a friend who was in the year above me in English and we would often discuss what he was doing. I don’t want to turn this into another college advice piece but take my word that it is a good idea to get to know older students doing your course. They have gone through the same things you are doing and may be able to give you some pointers, or like my friend did for me, tell you what you can expect in later years. It was through our conversations that I first learned about the special studies seminars taken by English students. I have previously mentioned that it was on one of these seminars that I first encountered Ulysses in my final year. In 2nd year the first seminar I signed up for was on Oscar Wilde. We read his poetry, short stories and his critical essays, truly fascinating and it was this experience that solidified Wilde as not only one of the many writers whom I greatly admire but my favourite writer. The final essay for the seminar, which I wrote on his fairy tales The Nightingale and the Rose and The Birthday of the Infanta, earned me one of my highest grades for the year and allowed me to enter the School of English Undergraduate Awards. From this I received a “Highly Commended” certificate, which remains one of the best achievements of my undergraduate years. Thank you Oscar.

Wilde is one of these literary figures whose own life story is just as captivating as his written works. He was a celebrity in his time known for his talent, wit and unique style. Of course his importance as a figure in LGBTQ+ history cannot be understated, which is why I chose to write this piece for Pride Month 2019. He has been an inspiration to me both in my work and in my life and to quote the great man one more time: “I have put only my talent into my works, I have put all of my genius into my life”

Featured image: Me with the statue of Oscar Wilde in Merrion Square, Dublin