The image of Oscar Wilde
-
Venusian42
- Posts: 48
- Joined: 15 Jul 2013, 15:40
- Favorite Book: The Gambler
- Currently Reading: Sadeh
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-venusian42.html
The image of Oscar Wilde
Books of reference for the discussion:
1- The Picture of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde)
2- De Profundis, The Ballad of Reading Gaol and other writings (Oscar Wilde)
Facts before the discussion:
In 1895 Oscar Wilde was sentenced two years in prison for the charge of homosexuality. After his release in 1897 he was financially ruined, his image was marred, and as a subsequent he was completely devastated. His moral vision, however, was not destroyed.
The discussion:
In regard to the classic 'The picture of Dorian Gray': Would you, as a reader, have had a different opinion, had you known that Oscar Wilde was gay?
In my personal experience I should note here that I had no prior knowledge of Oscar Wilde being gay before I read 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'. Years later, only after I read 'De Profundis, and The Ballad of Reading Gaol' that I have found out about it. The fact that he was gay did not alter my opinion of him. He is equally praised for his works in my view, for I judge only by the merits. However, for me it was not a matter of tolerance, but rather a matter of aspect. It means that if I read 'The picture of Dorian Gray' with the prior knowledge that Oscar Wilde was homosexual, I believe that I would have been affected by it so that the story would appear more prejudiced by the author. I am glad I only found out later about it.
My further points of discussion here are:
1- To what an extent, prior knowledge, in regard to the author's personal life, has an affect on your judgment of a book, as a reader?
2- Can you remain unaffected by such knowledge?
3- Do you believe that it is fair to judge a story because of facts pertaining the author's life?
4- Can you give an example, either positive or negative, as to how personal details about an author has affected your view/review in regard to a certain book?
5- Would you consider a review of a book biased? When the reader judged it also because of a personal opinion in regard to the author?
As a guidance I wish to be the first to answer:
1- I admit that sometimes I am affected by such knowledge. After I finished reading 'De Profundis' I was emotionally enraged at society for the injustice committed against Oscar Wilde. I deplore intolerance, hence I felt sorry for Oscar Wilde. Mercy and compassion towards Wilde, subsequently made me like 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol' more than if I just read it without knowing the background of it.
2- Prior knowledge for me has an affect on the book, both positive and negative, it depends on each case. When I read Anne Frank's diary I knew that she was going to die in the end, a fact which devastated me throughout the entire book, because she really hoped to survive.
3- I do not think it is fair. In my view any art should be judged only by merits. However, in literature there is an exception. In regard to fiction it wouldn't be fair, but non fiction is a different case. It depends really what kind of a book it is.
4- A- positive: I became a fan of J.D Salinger, not because of his literary works, but because of his vision in regard to chastity, and because of his concern for mankind. However, I admit that his altruism has got nothing really to do with literature.
B- Negative: I never read books that were written by authors who follow injustice. I never read Dan Brown before, because I was not sure about his literature. Recently it has been revealed that he exploited his translators and treated them with contempt and without respect. Therefore I vowed never to read his books.
5- Yes, as a matter of fact such a review is biased. However, I trust that my own discernment and taste will not necessarily be affected by a biased review, unless unjust. Thus, I judge by the essence of the review, as there are many factors involved. A biased review is not necessarily an indication for negativity. It all depends on the individual case.
1- The Picture of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde)
2- De Profundis, The Ballad of Reading Gaol and other writings (Oscar Wilde)
Facts before the discussion:
In 1895 Oscar Wilde was sentenced two years in prison for the charge of homosexuality. After his release in 1897 he was financially ruined, his image was marred, and as a subsequent he was completely devastated. His moral vision, however, was not destroyed.
The discussion:
In regard to the classic 'The picture of Dorian Gray': Would you, as a reader, have had a different opinion, had you known that Oscar Wilde was gay?
In my personal experience I should note here that I had no prior knowledge of Oscar Wilde being gay before I read 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'. Years later, only after I read 'De Profundis, and The Ballad of Reading Gaol' that I have found out about it. The fact that he was gay did not alter my opinion of him. He is equally praised for his works in my view, for I judge only by the merits. However, for me it was not a matter of tolerance, but rather a matter of aspect. It means that if I read 'The picture of Dorian Gray' with the prior knowledge that Oscar Wilde was homosexual, I believe that I would have been affected by it so that the story would appear more prejudiced by the author. I am glad I only found out later about it.
My further points of discussion here are:
1- To what an extent, prior knowledge, in regard to the author's personal life, has an affect on your judgment of a book, as a reader?
2- Can you remain unaffected by such knowledge?
3- Do you believe that it is fair to judge a story because of facts pertaining the author's life?
4- Can you give an example, either positive or negative, as to how personal details about an author has affected your view/review in regard to a certain book?
5- Would you consider a review of a book biased? When the reader judged it also because of a personal opinion in regard to the author?
As a guidance I wish to be the first to answer:
1- I admit that sometimes I am affected by such knowledge. After I finished reading 'De Profundis' I was emotionally enraged at society for the injustice committed against Oscar Wilde. I deplore intolerance, hence I felt sorry for Oscar Wilde. Mercy and compassion towards Wilde, subsequently made me like 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol' more than if I just read it without knowing the background of it.
2- Prior knowledge for me has an affect on the book, both positive and negative, it depends on each case. When I read Anne Frank's diary I knew that she was going to die in the end, a fact which devastated me throughout the entire book, because she really hoped to survive.
3- I do not think it is fair. In my view any art should be judged only by merits. However, in literature there is an exception. In regard to fiction it wouldn't be fair, but non fiction is a different case. It depends really what kind of a book it is.
4- A- positive: I became a fan of J.D Salinger, not because of his literary works, but because of his vision in regard to chastity, and because of his concern for mankind. However, I admit that his altruism has got nothing really to do with literature.
B- Negative: I never read books that were written by authors who follow injustice. I never read Dan Brown before, because I was not sure about his literature. Recently it has been revealed that he exploited his translators and treated them with contempt and without respect. Therefore I vowed never to read his books.
5- Yes, as a matter of fact such a review is biased. However, I trust that my own discernment and taste will not necessarily be affected by a biased review, unless unjust. Thus, I judge by the essence of the review, as there are many factors involved. A biased review is not necessarily an indication for negativity. It all depends on the individual case.
