poem dedicated to Wooldrige - around this narrative core, whose drama might be described as realism Wilde builds a mediation of the paradoxes of morality
structure: ballard - indictment of the death penalty and whole penal system - a protest poem - structure (circular) plays a part of this revelation
social commentary - written in Ballard form go he could speak widely to the proletarian - circulated in Reynold's Mag frequently read by members of the criminal classes
graphic language and monotonous language reflects brutality of Reading Goal - Wilde imprisoned for 'gross indecency'
A04
SOCIETY
critical prison system – makes people worse + unchristiaN leaves no room for hope/redemption - hypocrisy
Presents society and those enforcing justice as the criminals/guilt
judgement should be left to God?
Suggests the justice system thrives on blood/revenge as it is inhumane and cruel
lost faith in men – God has to same them because no one else will. Could be read like this a desperate cry for help – or could be read as a polemic, calling for social change
CRIMINALS
little focus on their crime – contrasts with massive focus + slowing down of time in climax to the execution
The setting of the prison is compared to hell - subject to hard physical labour and, in the murder’s case, capital punishment
Terror and despair - Wilde condemns society - sympathy for the criminals - become the victims in this text
reminder of Christian teachings - lack of redemption - condemns and criminalises judicial system for being vastly unchristian
MURDER/ VIOLENCE
no description of violence inflicted on murdered woman - focus on psychological/physical violence on prisoners
protest poem about dehumanisation and use of capital punishment
CRIMNINAL PSYCHE
1st person narrator - he himself is the criminal - suggests that there is a collective criminal consciousness that suffers guilt and shares a common humanity
nothing on mindset or motivation of prisoners - focus on feelings of criminals in relation to punishment and shared emptiness
do we pity? why is so much consideration given to prisoners' deprivation of freedom/humanity and non to Wooldridge's depriving his wife of her life --> link to immoral texts
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