The Soul of Man Under Socialism and Selected Critical Prose

Illuminating essays on philsophy, literature, soceity, and art by one of Ireland's greatest wits

Oscar Wilde—witty raconteur, flamboyant hedonist, and self-destructive lover—is most familiar as the author of brilliant comedies, including The Importance of Being Earnest, An Ideal Husband, and the decadent novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. This selection of critical writings reveals a different side of the great writer—the deep and serious reader of literature and philosophy, and the eloquent and original thinker about society and art. This illuminating collection includes "The Portrait of Mr. W. H.," "In Defense of Dorian Gray," reviews, and the writings from Intentions (1891), including "The Decay of Lying," "Pen, Pencil, Poison," and "The Critic as Artist."

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.The Soul of Man under Socialism and Selected Critical ProseIntroduction
Note on the Texts
Eight Reviews (1885-90)
1. Mr. Whistler's Ten o'Clock
2. The Relation of Dress to Art
3. A Sentimental Journey through Literature
4. Mr. Pater's Imaginary Portraits
5. [The Actor as Critic]
6. Poetical Socialists
7. Mr. Swinburne's Last Volume
8. Mr. Pater's Last Volume

The Portrait of Mr. W. H. (expanded version 1889)

In Defence of Dorian Gray (1890-91)

The Soul of Man Under Socialism (1891)

Intentions (1891)
1. The Decay of Lying
2. Pen, Pencil and Poison
3. The Critic as Artist - Part I
The Critic as Artist - Part II
4. The Truth of Masks

Notes
Further Reading

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) was an Irish writer, poet, and playwright. His novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, brought him lasting recognition, and he became one of the most successful playwrights of the late Victorian era with a series of witty social satires, including his masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest.