Table of Contents

Preface; Introduction; 1. Epigonic experiments: the early poems and plays; 2. The selfish and the selfless: the fairy-tales and stories; 3. Personality and perfection: the lectures, Reviews and Intentions; 4. Authority and autonomy: The Soul Man under Socialism; 5. Culture and corruption: The Picture of Dorian Gray; 6. Sensuality and suggestion: Salome and The Sphinx; 7. Pathos and paradox: Lady Windermere's Fan: A Woman of No Importance; An Ideal Husband; 8. Propriety and parody: The Importance of Being Earnest; 9. Apologies and accusations: De Profundis and The Ballad of Reading Gaol; 10. Plans, sketches and fragments; Conclusion; List of abbreviations; Notes; Select bibliography; Index.

Promotional Information

Professor Kohl's aim is to gain fresh insight into his literary and critical œuvre of Oscar Wilde.

Reviews

Review of the hardback: Of the German edition: 'Here at last is a standard work on Wilde, which combines all the known and relevant facts within a unified and convincing perspective.' Poetica

Review of the hardback: 'Kohl's book is a long awaited basic work which gives optimal characterisation ... and never strays from its essential purpose of studying not the author's personality, but the individuality of his work.' Literatur in Wissenschaft und Unterricht