Oscar Wilde - the Man and his World - Essay Example

Oscar Wilde - the Man and his World Oscar Wilde is a renown and gifted poet and playwright. He was widely known for advocating the importance of style in art and life during the Victorian Era that swept London in the late 19th century. Wilde’s greatest participation in journalism was his editing of the periodical article “woman’s world”, which was published in November 1886 under the heading “lady’s world”. By 1887, the magazine was evidently not selling, the publishers were negotiating with Wilde proposing that he assumes editorship of the magazine giving the publication a new direction. The publisher’s choice of Wilde was without a doubt because of his skills and strong sentiments on decorative arts, beautifying homes and dressing. Being an editor, he believed that he could move fashionable social circles thereby attracting support from influential women in the society (Dierkes-Thrun, 2012). Oscar Wilde called upon to contribute in the reconstruction of lady’s world magazine which was to basically not just deal with what women wear, but with how they think and feel. The likely contributors of the magazine sought out to write with enthusiasm, with tact and avoid being extravagant and the use of vulgar language. The term lady to some level was viewed ambiguous; Wilde regarded it as having a small taint of vulgarity and extremely misleading because of the eminence of “woman question” which was a feminist movement. Wilde persisted that the magazine which seemed to be more feminine be re-named to “woman’sworld” (Salamensky 2012, p.132). These changes implied that the term “lady” which was to be changed to “woman”was associated with commonness. In 1895, Wilde in his own words would be interpreted as utterly clear evidence in his scandalous libel and criminal suits that gradually sent him to jail and eventually ended his career. This unfortunate incident did not erase his legacy. His criticism and notes have shaped the society than any other author or poet. Most noticeably, it testifies to the epigrammatic memorability of his statements and declaration and acknowledges the fact that his life meant a personality and a collection of texts and ideas. He fearlessly explored art in relation to everyday life offering unique grounds for examining or testing sexual and social culture during the Victorian era. In 1887’s October issue of the “lady’s world” the prospectus pointed out the changed names of editors of the November issue. The editors who were listed included Marie Corelli, Olive Schreiner, Mathilde Blind as well as Wilde’s wife Constance and his mother Lady Wilde. In addition, Oscar persuaded some of the well-known writers to contribute to the witting one of them being Arthur Symons. Arthur’s first essay was on one of the major symbol in the symbolist movement “Villiers de I ‘isle Adam” which came out after Wilde left the magazine. Wilde was a determined editor of the“woman’s world” but his enthusiasm progressively reduced over the following periods. He gradually became less functional arriving late leaving early, and generally handling at his letters carelessly and giving excuses and make up promises to his failures (Dierkes-Thrun, 2012). Oscar Wilde’s assistant editor Arthur fish viewed the “woman’sworld” magazine as to be the finest with exclusive appeal and attraction to women that was ever been published. The “woman’s world” editors manage to secure brilliant contributors producing a high level of literary content ever attained by a publication company of its kind. Articles did not only concentrated on fashion but also devoted to distinguish or bring out women, women’s suffrage and historical events (Wilde & Murray 2000, p. 98). Arthur fish always expressed his sympathy on the views of the “woman’s world” writers revealing a liberality of thoughts regarding political aspirations and ambitions of women that was without a doubt sincere.Over time, the sales of woman’s world, which was never high, started declining. When probed by the publishers, Oscar Wilde argued that his non-literary views and notes about society women would be best written by a woman and literary reviews anonymous. After one year as editor, publishers saw it best to allocate more space to dress and fashion. Oscar Wilde being the gentleman offered to contribute to the magazine to cultivate the woman feelings and thoughts and was largely accepted by feminine acquaintances who apart from reattributing it in money they also praised him. Interestingly the “Woman’s world” was seen to have emerged from the upper-middle class market of the society which had educated women as its target group but maintaining its roots and affiliations within the London society. The magazine practically emerging in a different name took quite a different stance with regards to its readers. It clearly followed a path that viewed women as domesticated, interested in society gossip, leisured, seemly accomplishments and also a modicum of culture (Keane, 2003). Unlike the predecessor, the woman’s world magazine not only tried out a different format but also did write different political views, as well. Oscar Wilde used his wide scope of personal acquaintances to ask women of influence in the London society to contribute to the writing of the magazine. Wilde had a strong taste and tried out women of diverse interests making the magazine look all rounded. One of the dominant features of the “woman’s world” magazine was its concentration on the work done by women in the public arena especially in art. Some well-known subjects in a subsequent issue of the “woman’s world” magazine were significantly advocating for higher education for women, political status for women and the never ending debate about the “woman question” (Los Angeles Review of Books, 2013) The question of female moral leadership and the scientific theories surrounding women’s mental and physical superiority and the relation of sexes within marriage and society as a whole also came up. The magazine also had something to say with regards to women professional’si.e. medical doctors, teachers. The most visible change to the “woman’s world” magazine was the cover layout. The new layout expresses the context of Aestheticism as a movement for art having eliminated the previous predecessors cover layout, which had a lady who held a book in her hand gazing at her own image in front of a mirror. The arrangement of articles in the magazine and omission of certain columns had not been changed but were also significant in the new issue (Dierkes-Thrun, 2012). A certain extent of gossip was to be retained though now elevated to a much higher cultural level. This was through a change which was characterized by change in the form from previously social to now literary discourse in OscarWildes literary notes (Macleod 2013, p.134). Wilde made literary criticism, which gave prominence to books written by women treating it very seriously and as the male counterparts. As Arthur Fish, Oscar Wildes editorial assistant ostensibly said in an interview in the year 1913, Oscar Wilde lost interest in his job as an editor for the “woman’s world” over time. Wilde gradually delayed in producing editorial features for the magazine and live up to the demanding publishing schedules (Los Angeles Review of Books, 2013). Conclusion The Main aim of the magazine generally was to bring out the right woman who is accorded equal treatment with men in the society. It received quite a big support as it started but gradually failed. As time went, a number of writers who had promised him to contribute to his writing failed leading to termination of the magazine in October 1889. References List Keane, R. N. (2003). Oscar Wilde: the man, his writings, and his world. New York, AMS Press. p. 75. Dierkes-Thrun, P. (2012). Oscar Wilde and The Woman’s World: An Overview | Oscar Wilde and the French Decadents. [Online] Accessed 17 Nov. 2013 Available at: http://wildedecadents.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/oscar-wilde-and-the-womans-world-an-overview/. Los Angeles Review of Books (2013). Wilde in the Office. [Online] Accessed 17 Nov. 2013. Available at: http://lareviewofbooks.org/essay/wilde-in-the-office Macleod, J. (2013). Literature, journalism and liberal culture, 1886-1916 politics and letters. Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan. p 134 Salamensky, S. I. (2012). The modern art of influence and the spectacle of Oscar Wilde, New York, Palgrave Macmillan. P.132 Wilde, O., & Murray, I. (2000). Oscar Wilde: the major works. Oxford, Oxford Univ. Press. p 98 Read More