Map with Utopia: Oscar Wilde's Theory for Social Transformation »

Only recently has Oscar Wilde been perceived as a writer of tremendous sophistication and depth. Jody Price now contributes to the exciting new work being done on Wilde. She establishes a place for him as a determined social activist, who, throughout his literary life, was attempting to define a theory for social change that would create a society free of intolerance and inequality. Price traces the growth of this philosophy through its fragmented appearance in his early writing to the coherent, carefully worked out maturity of his drama and prison literature.

Booknews

Contributing to the recent recognition of Wilde as a social activist and a much more sophisticated writer than previously acknowledged, Price (English U. of Rhode Island) traces the development of his theory for social change that would create a society free of intolerance and inequality. She examines his poetry, short fiction, novels, plays, comedies, and prison writings. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.