Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900) was one of the most famous writers of the Victorian Age. He was primarily known as a playwright but also created a number of poems, stories and fairytales. Already during his studies at Oxford he developed a style in his art that would later make him the best-known writer of English aestheticism. For Wilde, however, aesthetic sense was more than a concept in art. He rather devoted his whole life to the perfection of beauty. He cultivated a flamboyant lifestyle, supported nonconformist views and had homoerotic tendencies, which made him a kind of media star. The attention directed towards him was often hostile because his attitudes contradicted mainstream Victorian values. These were marked by moral strictness and considerations of usefulness. Oscar Wilde, however, was a hedonist and an individualist. This contradiction and his persistence in defending his views brought him towards the end of his life even to court and to prison, which shows that his attitudes were more than pure provocation.
This assignment deals with the question how aestheticism is expressed in Wilde’s poems. It investigates where the Aesthetic Movement originated and what its principles were. Which theories about art influenced Oscar Wilde and how did he develop them further for his own purposes? What was in his social and artistic biographical background that could have had an impact on his attitudes?
How consequently did he follow his own principles that he often mentioned in his essays and articles? Is it possible to create a pure form of aestheticism and which difficulties occur while trying to do so?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Aesthetic Influences on Oscar Wilde
3. Oscar Wilde’s Understanding of Art as Described in his Essays
4. „Impression du Matin“ and „Roses and Rue“ as Examples of Aesthetic Poetry
5. Summary
Impression du Matin
Roses and Rue
Research Objectives and Themes
This academic paper examines how the principles of Aestheticism are expressed and reflected in Oscar Wilde's poetry, specifically focusing on the poems "Impression du Matin" and "Roses and Rue". It investigates the theoretical origins of the Aesthetic movement, the influence of figures such as Walter Pater and John Ruskin, and the extent to which Wilde successfully applied his own aesthetic theories—frequently articulated in his essays and dialogues—within his creative verse.
- The historical and theoretical origins of the Aesthetic movement in the 19th century.
- The influence of personal biography and academic mentors (Pater, Ruskin) on Wilde's artistic development.
- Analysis of Wilde’s essays as theoretical frameworks for his understanding of art.
- Examination of "Impression du Matin" and "Roses and Rue" as practical manifestations of Aesthetic poetry.
- The inherent conflict between the desire for artistic autonomy and the inescapable influence of reality.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Oscar Wilde’s Understanding of Art as Described in his Essays
From 1884 on Oscar Wilde was increasingly devoted to essay writing, where he depicted his own comprehension of art and its meaning in social life. He was, however, at no time a pure theorist, who tried to write a scientific work. He rather conveyed his personal view as an artist in often provocative and always vital language. His individual style of writing already corresponded with the content. In his essay “The Soul of Man under Socialism” (1891) he emphasized the importance of individualism for the human being in general and the artist in particular. He said that the abolition of private property would release the human being from all necessities related to it and lead to men’s free development. Hence, the artist would be independent from all market and other public interests and could create perfect art according to his genius.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines Oscar Wilde's life and his transition from a student at Oxford to a leading figure of English Aestheticism, setting the stage for the analysis of his poetry.
2. The Aesthetic Influences on Oscar Wilde: This chapter details the philosophical and artistic roots of Aestheticism, highlighting the pivotal roles of Walter Pater, John Ruskin, and the influence of French symbolism on Wilde's personal outlook.
3. Oscar Wilde’s Understanding of Art as Described in his Essays: This section explores Wilde's theoretical contributions in his essays, particularly his defense of individualism and the autonomy of art from social or moral utility.
4. „Impression du Matin“ and „Roses and Rue“ as Examples of Aesthetic Poetry: The author analyzes how specific poems embody Aesthetic principles, such as impressionism, synesthesia, and the prioritization of form over content.
5. Summary: The final chapter synthesizes the main findings, reiterating that while Wilde's poems strive for complete abstraction from reality, they remain rooted in his subjective experiences and personal genius.
Impression du Matin: The original text of the poem is provided for analysis.
Roses and Rue: The original text of the poem is provided for analysis.
Keywords
Oscar Wilde, Aestheticism, Art for art's sake, Impressionism, Walter Pater, Victorian Age, Symbolism, Individualism, Poetry, The Soul of Man under Socialism, The Decay of Lying, Impression du Matin, Roses and Rue, Theory of Art, Literary Criticism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper examines the application of the Aesthetic philosophy, known as "art for art's sake," in the poetic works of Oscar Wilde.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the independence of art, the role of the artist as an individual, the impact of 18th and 19th-century philosophy on Aestheticism, and the specific use of stylistic elements like imagery and metaphor in Wilde’s poetry.
What is the research goal of this study?
The study aims to determine how consistently Wilde followed his own aesthetic principles within his poems and to analyze the difficulties involved in creating a "pure" form of aesthetic art that remains separate from reality.
Which scientific methodology is used?
The author employs a literary analysis approach, connecting Wilde's theoretical essays and dialogues with a close reading of his poetic texts to interpret his aesthetic vision.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the origins of Aestheticism, the biographical and intellectual influences on Wilde, a detailed look at his essays, and an analytical breakdown of two specific poems: "Impression du Matin" and "Roses and Rue."
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Keywords include Aestheticism, Oscar Wilde, Art for art's sake, Impressionism, Symbolism, and the autonomy of art.
How does the author interpret the prostitute in "Impression du Matin"?
The author notes that while the figure may seem to disturb the aesthetic harmony of the poem, she also reflects the Victorian tension between reality and the artist's desire for an ideal, decorative beauty.
What is the significance of the "ivory cell" in "Roses and Rue"?
The "tiny ivory cell" symbolizes the mind of the poet, where reality is transformed into an aesthetic experience, representing the poet's ability to contain both "God’s Heaven and Hell" through art.
- Quote paper
- Stefan Zeuge (Author), 2006, The Aestheticism in Oscar Wilde’s Poems “Impression du Matin” and “Roses and Rue”, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/73517
