Research Paper on:
Oscar Wilde's Western Theatrical Achievements

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
art form. While Charles Dickens combined social issues with literary fiction, Wilde added his irreverent wit to create a truly unique theatrical mix that refused to compromise entertainment for  the sake of social commentary. His plays continue to demonstrate that people could take delight in laughing at themselves. Wilde was able to successfully feature his disdain for  the pomposity of the rigid British social class system. He delighted in frequently attacking what he perceived as the hypocrisy of British society with his most effective weapon -  his pen. Of his wickedly funny stage productions, biographer Richard Ellman would write, "He was conducting, in the most civilized way, an anatomy of his society, and a radical  reconsideration of its ethics" (Kenyon 12). However, Oscar Wildes tenure as "the toast of London" theatergoers was brief, but unfortunately, his controversial lifestyle exacted a high price, and as  a result, his "grace, wit, and charm" would be prematurely silenced (Kenyon 12). Born Oscar Finegal OFlahertie Wills Wilde in Dublin, Ireland, on October 16, 1854 to successful writer and  surgeon Sir William Wilde and poet Jane Francesco Elgee (also known as Speranza), he was the quintessential precocious middle child, sandwiched between older brother Willie and younger sister Isola (Kenyon  12). When his beloved sister died at the age of ten, it was a catastrophic loss from which Oscar never completely recovered (Kenyon 12). In fact, many critics  believe that she remained the inspiration for his plays beautiful female characters. Wilde was an academic scholar who received a scholarship to attend Trinity College, then later went  on to Dublins Protestant College, where he indulged his love for the Greek classics (Kenyon 12). His love for the Greek lyrical verses is evident throughout his later plays.