Oscar Wilde : the Importance of Being Irish by David Coakley

Description

Scarce title examining Wilde’s Irish heritage   – including his politically radical mother “Speranza”

Foreword by Oscar’s  grandson Merlin Holland.

Back cover :  In Osear Wilde – The Importance of Being Irish, Professor Davis Coakley
looks at how Wilde’s formative years in Ireland had a significant impact on his
life and writings. Wilde was greatly influenced by his parents, Sir William and Lady Wilde
(Speranza), and it was from them that he developed his love of learning. The
Wilde household at 1 Merrion Square formed the nucleus of a unique cultural
environment where leading figures from the medical, scientific, literary and
artistic world were entertained, and wit and good conversation were the order
of the day. Wilde was particularly influenced by his mother, and he shared
many of her characteristics and eccentricities. Davis Coakley has drawn on previously unpublished material to present a new picture of Wilde’s school years at Portora Royal School in Enniskillen, County
Fermanagh. From there, he follows Wilde’s years at Trinity College Dublin,
where he came under the influence of John Pentland Mahaffy and where he
began to develop his interest in aestheticism. When Oscar left Trinity for
Oxford, he already had most of the characteristics that would later distinguish
him in London. Throughout his subsequent career, Wilde maintained a far
greatet interest in Irish literary and political affairs than has generally been
assumed. Ideed, his own literary achievements gave confidence to other Irish
writers, and he had a direct influence on Irish playwrights and poets such as
W B Yeats and J M Synge.
both original and interesting, based as it is on impressive research and on
a detailed knowledge of the milieu of the Wilde family. It will be of interest not
just to Wilde scholars, but to readers in general and to lovers of modern
theatre. Declan Kiberd, University College Dublin
a timely and revealing new focus upon Oscar’s Anglo-Irish balancing acts. Seamus Heaney

1994 1st UK hardback

Condition : EX : No markings : DJ ex no tears.