Intentions

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

887

Title

Intentions

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this witty dialogue, Oscar Wilde's Vivian argues that art improves upon nature, which lacks design and variety. The text explores the decay of lying as an art form, the superiority of fiction over fact, and the creative power of the critic. With its sharp satire on Victorian realism and its celebration of aestheticism, the work offers a provocative defense of imagination, style, and the transformative power of artistic illusion.

Summary up to 500 words

Set within the opulent library of a Nottinghamshire country house, Oscar Wilde's *Intentions* presents a spirited dialogue between the flamboyant Vivian and the sensible Cyril. This collection of essays and dialogues explores the nature of art, truth, and life, challenging conventional wisdom through Wilde's signature wit and aesthetic philosophy. The central argument, introduced in the essay 'The Decay of Lying,' posits that modern literature has suffered from an obsession with factual accuracy, which stifles the imagination. Vivian champions the 'Decay of Lying,' asserting that ancient historians wove delightful fiction into fact, whereas modern novelists like Robert Louis Stevenson and Henry James write 'too true' novels that lack artistic vitality. He argues that lying is not merely a moral failing but an art form requiring technique and devotion, essential for creating a world more marvellous than reality. The conversation expands to redefine the role of the critic. Contrary to the popular belief that creation is harder than commentary, Wilde asserts that criticism is itself a creative act. The critic, he suggests, is not a passive observer but a creator who rewrites history, elevating the mundane into the realm of the beautiful. This creative power extends to the realm of stagecraft, where Wilde insists that historical accuracy in costume and setting is essential for dramatic illusion. He criticizes the mixing of costumes from different eras, which creates a chaotic 'Fancy Dress Ball' effect, and advocates for a unified vision. Wilde praises specific historical details, such as the sun badge on Richard II's robe, arguing that beauty and accuracy are inseparable in art. Ultimately, the work posits that action in real life is a blind puppetry, while description allows for poetic freedom. The critic's task is to construct an eternal, idealized world where the sequence of time and the full spectrum of human emotion can be realized. By rejecting the worship of facts and embracing the power of imagination, art can transcend the limitations of nature, which Wilde describes as imperfect and unfinished. Through this lens, *Intentions* serves as both a protest against the 'genre ennuyeux' of contemporary realism and a manifesto for an aesthetic movement that values beauty, unity, and the transformative power of the lie over the dullness of truth.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Drama
• Biography
• Essays