âPen, Pencil, and Poisonâ is one of Wildeâs most intriguing essays. Part biography, part social commentary, and part philosophical debate, he writes the biography of an art critic, who was also convicted of murder. However, in true Wildean style, thereâs more to the essay than meets the eye. While documenting the life and crimes of Thomas Griffiths Wainwright, Wilde explores the ideas of dual identity, sin in the formation of the personality, and the relationship between crime and culture. âPen, Pencil, and Poisonâ is a fascinating insight into some of the conventions of the time.
Oscar Wilde (1854 â 1900) was an Irish novelist, poet, playwright, and wit. He was an advocate of the Aesthetic movement, which extolled the virtues of art for the sake of art. During his career, Wilde wrote nine plays, including âThe Importance of Being Earnest,â âLady Windermereâs Fan,â and âA Woman of No Importance,â many of which are still performed today. His only novel, âThe Picture of Dorian Grayâ was adapted for the silver screen, in the film, âDorian Gray,â starring Ben Barnes and Colin Firth. In addition, Wilde wrote 43 poems, and seven essays. His life was the subject of a film, starring Stephen Fry.