Oscar Wilde and the Influence of John Ruskin and Walter Pater

"Oscar Wilde and the Influence of John Ruskin and Walter Pater" examines the complex relationships between Oscar Wilde and the two influential art critics John Ruskin and Walter Pater. Wilde, who met both Ruskin and Pater during his time at the University of Oxford, was shaped by their differing views on art and life. While Ruskin held a moral perspective, Pater was known for his aesthetic viewpoint. This publication questions the common assumption that Ruskin and Pater took diametrically opposed positions and highlights the nuances in Wilde's work compared to the writings of his two mentors. Through the analysis of excerpts from the early and later years of Ruskin and Pater, it becomes clear that the influences on Wilde are more complex than they initially appear. This book is aimed at readers seeking a deeper understanding of the interconnections between art and literature, and who, like Wilde, do not view things superficially.