oscar wilde english stories

One of the main themes is beauty. In 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', for example, Dorian's beauty is both a blessing and a curse. It leads him into a life of excess and moral decay. Wilde often shows how society places a high value on physical beauty, but that it can be a very superficial and dangerous thing.

Another great one is 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'. In this story, Dorian Gray is a young and extremely handsome man. He has his portrait painted and wishes that he could remain young and beautiful while the portrait ages instead of him. As he indulges in a life of vice and sin, the portrait becomes a grotesque reflection of his soul, while he remains outwardly unchanged. It's a complex exploration of vanity, morality, and the consequences of one's actions.

Some of the best Oscar Wilde short stories include 'The Canterville Ghost'. It's a humorous and poignant tale that combines elements of the supernatural with Wilde's sharp wit. The story plays with the contrast between the American Otis family and the old - world English ghost.

One of his best - known stories is 'The Happy Prince'. It tells the story of a statue that can see the misery in the city and tries to help the poor through a little swallow. It's a poignant tale about self - sacrifice and kindness.

Oscar Wilde's classic collection of fairy tales was his recommended reading list. The collection included nine works: The Nightingale and the Rose, The Happy Prince, The Good Friend, The Great Tall Cannon, The Young King, The Spanish Princess 'Birthday, The Fisherman and the Soul, The Star Child, and The Selfish Giant. These works were famous for their unique style, ingenious ideas, and rich imagination. The language was relaxed and alert, and there was no lack of irony. Wilde's fairy tales contained more social content than fables, and each story expressed sympathy for society. As for Wilde's other works, such as plays, short stories, and the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, there was no clear order of reading recommendations.

Oscar Wilde's short stories are known for their wit and social commentary. In his best short stories, like 'The Happy Prince', Wilde uses vivid descriptions to create a melancholic yet beautiful world. The characters often represent different aspects of society, such as the self - sacrificing prince and the swallow. His stories also play with themes of love, sacrifice, and the disparity between the rich and the poor.

There is also 'The Sphinx Without a Secret'. It has an air of mystery and the supernatural. A man tries to uncover the secret of a woman he loves, believing there is something hidden and perhaps ghost - like about her. Wilde creates an atmosphere of intrigue and the unknown, blurring the lines between reality and the otherworldly.

Well, there's Lady Windermere in 'Lady Windermere's Fan'. She is a complex character dealing with issues of marriage, fidelity, and social status. Then there's Mr. Podgers in 'Lord Arthur Savile's Crime'. He is a palm - reader who predicts a dark future for Lord Arthur, which sets the story in motion. Also, in 'The Model Millionaire', Hughie Erskine is a character who learns valuable lessons about kindness and true wealth.

Well, there are themes like the duality of human nature. Wilde's characters often have two sides, a public one and a private one. For instance, Dorian Gray has his outward charm but also his inner corruption. Then there is the theme of the pursuit of pleasure. His characters are often in search of hedonistic pleasures. And the theme of the power of influence, as seen in how Dorian is influenced by Lord Henry and how that shapes his life.

In addition, Wilde's short stories have been widely adapted in various forms, such as plays and movies. This shows their lasting appeal and the universality of the themes he explored. His works continue to be studied and enjoyed today, which is a testament to their influence.