Oscar Wilde and the
Whenever I read an
Oscar Wilde aphorism displaying his biting wit or another Victorian’s praise
for his sparkling conversation skills—for instance, Frank Harris’ comment that
“in all the realms of death there is [not] a more fascinating or delightful
companion”—I seek to cultivate the same ability to engage others and myself
with both enjoyment and thoughtfulness.[1] But
Wilde’s warm companionship and likeability aren’t the only factors that led to
his immense popularity: his sharply critical works and morally ambiguous
lifestyle opposed the Victorian norm and generated controversy both in Europe
and the
Wilde was part of
the Aesthetic Movement, which championed ‘art for art’s sake’. He launched his
own version of the movement in
Another controversial component of Wilde’s character is his flexible views on morality and its place in society. He refused to abide by or accept traditional social ideas, in fact referring to them as the “monstrous injustice of the societal code of morality.”6 He even went so far as to consider them inhuman and unnatural, opining that “good resolutions are useless attempts to interfere with scientific law”.11 Wilde’s statements explain that acting morally is unnatural because the notion of what is morally acceptable is socially, not internally, determined. The open-mindedness of the University and, specifically, the Liberal Arts (“Liberal=freedom from narrowness of mind”[7]), mirrors Wilde’s tolerant beliefs about morality. Newman espouses the necessity of self-reflection and the autonomous creation of character, especially through the acquisition of knowledge, stating that “it is the education which gives a man a clear conscious view of his own opinions and judgments.”[8] Universities provide the forum to find one’s voice and create one’s character: at UT, the “commitment to discovery”[9] does not exclude the self. I agree with Wilde that morality is not something carved into stone or printed in books, although certain principles, such as the ability “to express new truths, new ideas, and new initiatives,”[10] particularly help the University in helping to create high-quality members of society.
In addition to criticism
of socially-enforced morality, Oscar Wilde also thought “that for any man of
culture to accept the standard of his age is a form of the grossest immorality.”[11]
Wilde looked down on conformity because of its alienation of the individual, a
definite defiance of the strict conservatism of Victorian society. Instead,
Wilde emphasized the authenticity of the self, since a person “is never more
sincere than when doing as he wishes, never less sincere than when doing as
other people wish.”[12]
Wilde’s support of self-fulfillment reflects the University’s core value of
leadership and the idea that “leadership vision should be grounded in personal
vision”; because it is undesirable to lead when following others’ standards, it
is necessary to create and abide by your own.[13]
From this analysis it is apparent that an important aspect of my education is
self-awareness: “Know Thyself,” the
Although Oscar Wilde’s aversion to socially acceptable practices brought him controversy and scorn in many places, the less sensational aspects of his personality, such as kindness and generosity, also distinguish him as a model personality for the embodiment of the ideal college experience. Despite his own personal problems, Wilde is described as having “a sympathy with the troubles of others [that] is proverbial.”[14] This virtue of sympathy is highly regarded as one that creates better citizens, which is the goal of many universities. UT itself is described as “a caring community.”[15]
Many aspects of Oscar Wilde’s writings concentrate on the importance of the individual, which is not unlike the college experience. The university is one of the few places where true personal development can happen unrestrictedly. Universities focus on helping students create admirable character, which will hopefully lead to meaningful, progressive participation in society. Since personal fulfillment leads to intelligent, sympathetic, and satisfying interpersonal relations, Wilde also shows that what’s good for the individual can create beneficial effects on society. This idea is reflected in Mirabeau B. Lamar’s quote that “A cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy.”[16] An important thing to note about Wilde’s popularity is not just his ability to get others to follow him; he cultivated a way of life that was actually worth following. He lived “to the full, as one should do everything one does.”[17] Although he was certainly flawed and controversial, the way he lived and the works he created still have relevance because of their ageless emphasis on the importance of the individual.
List of Illustrations
1. Oscar Wilde’s unique fashion choices. <http://allure-allure.blogspot.com/2007/07/lart-pour-lart.html>
2. Daily attire for Oscar Wilde. < http://manolomen.com/2007/10/08/jumbo-tie/>
3. Wasp cartoon. <http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist5/wilde1.html>
4. “Know Thyself.” <http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Reclining-Skeleton-with-the-Caption-Know-Thyself-Posters_i1990906_.htm>
Word count: 1,105
URL: https://webspace.utexas.edu/rls963/newpaper1/newpaper1.htm