Oscar Wilde's short run of success with his brilliant social comedies was one of the most remarkable episodes in liter-ary history. In a span of just three years, from 1892 to 1895, Wilde established himself, alongside George Bernard Shaw, as the premier playwright of England. Then, just as quickly and brilliantly as he had ascended, Wilde plunged into obscurity. After three scandalous trials contering on the issue of Wilde's homosexuality, The Importance of Being Earnest andAn Ideal Husband were shut down in the middle of their lucrative runs, and Wilde's career as a play-wright was over. His writing was obscured by prurient rumor, homophobia, and hypocritical shock and condem- nation.

  Oscar Wilde"s short run of success with his brilliant social comedies was one of the most remarkable episodes in liter-ary history. In a span of just three years, from 1892 to 1895, Wilde established himself, alongside George Bernard Shaw, as the premier playwright of England. Then, just as quickly and brilliantly as he had ascended, Wilde plunged into obscurity. After three scandalous trials contering on the issue of Wilde"s homosexuality, The Importance of Being Earnest andAn Ideal Husband were shut down in the middle of their lucrative runs, and Wilde"s career as a play-wright was over. His writing was obscured by prurient rumor, homophobia, and hypocritical shock and condem- nation.

INTRODUCTION

CHRONOLOGY OF OSCAR WILDE"S

LIFE AND WORK

HISTORICAL CONTZXT OF The Importance

  of Being Earnest and Other Plays

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EABNEST

LADY WINDEHMEBE"S FAN

AN IDEAL HUSBAND

SALOME

NOTES

INTERPRETIVE NOTES

CRITICAL EXCERPTS

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

SUGGESTIONS FOR THE

  INTERESTED READER