| Schmidgall focuses on Wilde's adult life. He makes much of Wilde's association with the Aesthetic movement at the end of the century in England and the reaction of the more conservative and even mainstream elements of society to his flamboyant persona–his extravagant dress and his homosexuality. His marriage to Constance Lloyd in May of 1884 is discussed as a tragedy waiting to happen because of his homosexuality, despite the births of their sons Cyril in 1885 and Vyvyan in 1886. Most of the book, however concerns Wilde's rather blatant willingness to exposes his various dalliances with young men in a society that generally preferred to keep such things hidden.
The central events of Wilde's life, as Schmidgall presents it, revolve around his sexual relationship with Bosie, Lord Alfred Douglas whom he met in 1891. Bosie's father, the Marquess of Queensberry, objecting to their relationship left an insulting card at Wilde's club and Wilde sued him for libel in 1895. When that case collapsed, Wilde was put on trial for his sexual relationships with several young men. The first trial ended in a hung jury, but a retrial got him convicted and sentenced to hard labor. Wilde spent about two years in prison and died in 1900. | ||
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Plot & Themes Taboo Sex Story? Yes Kind of sex: - gay guy Period of greatest activity? - 1600-1899 Subject of Biography Gender - Male Profession/status: Ethnicity - White Nationality - Irish Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 3 () Europe Yes European country: - England/UK Misc setting - prison Century: - 19th century Writing Style Book makes you feel? - challenged Graphic sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - male homosexuality If this is a kid's book: - Age 16-Adult Pictures/Illustrations? - A lot 11-15 B&W How much dialogue in bio? - little dialog How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 51%-75% of book |
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