From brilliance to infamy:

The last days of Oscar Wilde

by Gwen Herat

[Part 3]

Oscar Wilde had to face the truth. There was no way out as the evidence kept loading upon him and his sexual activities. He was sentenced to prison in May, 1895 to serve his term at Wandsworth and Reading and later released in May 1897. He experienced the greater part the prison rigours of the silent system then in force and was helpless with nothing to do.

However, the last few months were a blessing when a humane prison governor was appointed to replace the strict disciplinarian at Reading. He was permitted to use pen and paper and Wilde seized the opportunity and wrote the letter of Reading Goal, extracts from which were published but was not made public until 1949. His experience at Reading provided inspiration for his famous, The Ballad of Reading Goal which became his last completed work.

His name was wiped out from public consciousness once the prison doors were closed behind him though there were thousands who had pity on his folly and who realised that many among the nation was equally guilty as Wilde who committed the same and were free though the law netted only him.

Convict

We know that the imprisonment of a convict on whatever reason even murder, is different under a silent system but they are free to walk into prison gardens and work their penalties under better environment and breathe fresh air as liberty and subjection are no longer enforced in bitter breaking of spirits of the convicts. Most prison officials are humans but habitual offenders earn their wrath.

But this man of fashion who had been pampered by the public before he was caught in the net because of his own doing of depravation felt it too serious to bear. It ripped his heart; he had lost everything; especially the wife whom he loved dearly and who in return had hero-worshipped him.

We know that a sophisticated man who had walked through the corridoors of fame like him will feel the emptiness in a silent prison unlike today's homosexuals who are elated and placed on pedestals like the rich and the famous. In fact, it is considered a fashion in high society.

Rigours

During the first few weeks of his stay with prison routine, it appeared that Wilde would succumb to its rigours as he felt the shame he had brought upon himself. The most affected among his friends was Sherard who shared his pain and was determined to promote a reconciliation with his wife who was pressed by her family to seek divorce.

If she was to abandon him, he would have died quicker. So the loyal Sherard wrote many letters to Constance to forgive her husband but it took time for response because of her family advisers but the kind and loyal constance who still loved him agreed on the advice of her brother asking Wilde to write to her that she would seek no divorce proceedings. Apparently he wrote and she crossed over to England from her refuge in the continent and obtained permission to meet him.

It was the saddest day of their lives. She could not touch him and he scarcely spoke and when he shook himself up, he said he had been furious in the last three years, the years of his friendship with Douglas. He told her that if ever he saw Bosie he would kill him but that did not cheer Constance.

Sherard was the happiest of the three and knew that his intervention would finally result in Wilde would return home to be with his wife and children once the punishment was over. Sherard confessed later of Constance that she appeared like an angel; an angel of beauty and forgiveness. There was no animosity on her face but love and understanding for Wilde.

Good cheer

When Sherard visited Wilde later, he found his friend in good cheer. There were no bars between them and Sherard threw his arms around and embraced him. He saw tears rolling down Wilde's face and a look of gratitude on his face.

Wilde knew that it was Sherard whose efforts that brought Constance to him. Wilde's happiness brought fury and anger on Douglas. He had heard about the reconciliation who was on the continent. He was afraid of the consequences that would fell upon him that he never imagined.

Alfred Douglas wrote a threatening letter to Sherard that if he were to lose his friendship with Wilde in the future through any words used by Sherard that he would shoot him down like a dog. He was still very much in love with Wilde no matter whether constance was by his side.

The chaplain who saw him for the first time reported that he had failed to make a headway. Apparently Wilde had remained aloof refusing even to talk to anyone. Haldane Q.C. from the Home Office who looked after his interests while in prison reached his heart with patience and said that he put his hand on Wilde's shoulder who was feeling miserable in prison dress.

He coaxed Wilde to read and write and said his misfortune would prove a blessing in disguise. He got him some books so Wilde could put down his impressions. Finally, Wilde laughed and agreed on St.Augustine's work and Mommsen's history of Rome. Haldane followed Wilde from cell to cell until he kept his promise. After the sentence had been served, Halden received in confidence a copy of The Ballad of Reading Goal which was the redemption of Wilde's promise to Haldene.

Literary gem

The Ballad of Reading Goal turned out to a literary gem and his last work. On Haldane's recommendation Wilde was transferred from dreary Wandsworth to Reading where the conditions were far superior.

After the reconciliation between Wilde and his wife, Alfred Douglas wrote a French review that was an apology for and glorification of the ‘Greek movement'. It was disastrous to Wilde's interest and could have turned his wife against him. Such conduct was exceeding impertinent.

It was obvious that Douglas was seething in fury that he lost Wilde. But he did not realise at the time that the prison meeting between Wilde and his wife was the last to take place. However, the hope that sustained him in his dark days were the attempts made by his friends to organise petitions on his behalf. He was so dejected that he did not care but one thing was sure that while in prison he lived the life of a saint, a holy state as a poor moral can ever hope to attain.

Concluded