Oscar Wilde and The Picture of Dorian Gray Background

Learn Further ▾ Background Plot Summary Chapters Summary Critical Analysis Themes Quotes Character Analysis Symbols Motifs Q&As Presentation Slides Early Life and Literary Beginnings Oscar Wilde was born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland. He studied at Trinity College, Dublin, and Magdalen College, Oxford, before settling in London. Wilde married Constance Lloyd in 1884 and became part of London’s literary scene, associating with figures like W. B. Yeats and Lillie Langtry. Rise to Literary Fame Wilde gained renown for his witty conversation and comedic plays, starting with Vera; or, The Nihilists in 1880. His plays, including Lady Windermere’s Fan (1892) and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895), were celebrated for their sharp dialogue and satirical humor. The Picture of Dorian Gray: Publication and Reception The Picture of Dorian Gray , Wilde’s only novel, first appeared in Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine in the summer of 1890. Initially criticized for its perceived immorality, Wilde revised th…