oscar wilde best short stories

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.

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.

Well, his best short stories are often marked by beautiful prose. Wilde had a way with words that made his descriptions vivid and engaging. In stories like 'The Canterville Ghost', the settings and characters come to life through his elegant writing. Also, his stories usually have complex characters. They are not simply good or bad, but rather a mix of qualities, which makes them more relatable and interesting.

Well, his best short stories are known for their moral ambiguity. Instead of presenting a clear - cut right or wrong, Wilde makes readers think deeply. For example, in many of his stories, the actions of the characters seem both justifiable and condemnable at the same time. Moreover, his use of irony is masterful. It adds layers of meaning to the simple - seeming plots.

Definitely 'The Happy Prince'. It's a very moving story about a statue that sees the suffering of the poor. Another one is 'The Selfish Giant'. It has a beautiful moral about kindness. And 'The Nightingale and the Rose' is also great, which delves into the concept of love.

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.

Definitely 'The Model Millionaire'. In this story, Wilde shows how appearances can be deceiving. A young artist befriends a beggar who turns out to be a millionaire in disguise, and it teaches a lesson about kindness and the value of people regardless of their social standing. It's a short but impactful read.

Love and sacrifice are common themes. In 'The Nightingale and the Rose', the nightingale sacrifices its life for the student's love. Another theme is the critique of society. Wilde often shows the flaws in the upper class, like in 'The Canterville Ghost' where the American family's practical and matter - of - fact attitude contrasts with the traditional British ghost - haunted manor setting.

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.