Miscellanies

"Miscellanies" by Oscar Wilde is a compilation of insightful writings from the 1800s that highlight Wilde's wide range of knowledge and cleverness, diving into subjects like art, beauty, and how people act in society. Right away, Wilde uses his humor and persuasive writing style to set the stage for talking about how art expresses ideas and what it means to be human. Robert Ross kicks things off with a tribute and introduction, noting that the book is a mix of different pieces but emphasizes how original Wilde's writing is. The book then goes on to include Wilde's thoughts on art, especially his look at John Keats's grave, which brings up ideas of loveliness, the fact that life ends, and what poets leave behind for those who come after. Other parts look at art shows at the Grosvenor Gallery, where Wilde reviews other artists' creations and shares his sharp views on current art, showing Wilde's dedication to a type of beauty that comes from realness and strong feelings.