Lord Arthur Savile's Crime

Summary

«Lord Arthur Savile's Crime» is a short story by Oscar Wilde in which a young aristocrat, Lord Arthur Savile, learns from a palm reader that he is destined to commit murder. Shocked by the prediction, Arthur decides to postpone his wedding to Sybil Merton until he fulfills his fate. He makes several attempts to kill someone, but all of them fail. Eventually, he accidentally kills the palm reader who foretold his future, and freed from the prophecy, he peacefully marries Sybil. The story explores themes of fate, morality, and the irony of destiny, highlighting the absurdity and tragicomedy of human efforts to escape the inevitable.

Main Ideas

• Predestination and free will: an exploration of how a prophecy affects a person's actions and decisions.
• Moral dilemmas and responsibility: reflections on how knowledge of the future can alter moral compass and accountability for one's actions.
• Irony and satire: the use of irony to critique society and its prejudices, as well as to mock superstitions and belief in predictions.
• Conflict between inner desires and external circumstances: an exploration of how external predictions can conflict with personal desires and aspirations.
• Psychological tension and transformation: an examination of changes in the character's psychology and behavior under the influence of the prophecy and its consequences.

Historical Context and Significance

«Lord Arthur Savile's Crime» is a short story by Oscar Wilde, first published in 1891. It is a vivid example of Victorian literature and reflects Wilde's characteristic style, combining wit, satire, and elements of mysticism. The story explores themes of fate, morality, and predestination, which were relevant to a society fascinated by ideas of determinism and fatalism. The work's cultural impact lies in its ability to critique and mock social norms and prejudices, a hallmark of Wilde's oeuvre. The story also raises questions about free will and responsibility for one's actions, making it relevant in a modern context. Wilde uses elements of the grotesque and irony to underscore the absurdity of certain social conventions, making the work an important contribution to the development of satirical literature.

Main Characters and Their Development

• Lord Arthur Savile - the protagonist, a young aristocrat who faces a prophecy about his future. His development involves grappling with moral dilemmas and attempts to avoid the fate foretold by the palm reader. He undergoes internal conflicts and changes in his quest for happiness and love.
• Sybil Merton - Lord Arthur's fiancée, who symbolizes hope for a happy future. Her role in the story highlights the impact of the prophecy on Arthur's personal life and decisions.
• Mr. Podgers - the palm reader who predicts Lord Arthur's future. His prophecy becomes the catalyst for the events in the story and influences the protagonist's actions.
• Lady Windermere - a socialite who hosts the gathering where Lord Arthur's future is foretold. She represents the high society in which Arthur moves.

Style and Technique

«Lord Arthur Savile's Crime» by Oscar Wilde is a brilliant example of Victorian literature with elements of satire and dark humor. The style of the work is characterized by the elegance and sophistication typical of Wilde, with an emphasis on wit and paradox. The language of the story is rich and vivid, using metaphors and allusions that give the text a special expressiveness and depth. Literary devices include irony and hyperbole, which help the author mock social norms and prejudices. The structure of the story is well-crafted, with clear plot development and unexpected twists that keep the reader engaged. Wilde masterfully uses dialogues to reveal character traits and convey subtle humor. The story also explores themes of fate and moral choice, making it not only entertaining but also a philosophical work.

Interesting Facts

• The book is a satire on Victorian society and its prejudices, especially regarding superstitions and predictions.
• The plot revolves around the idea of predestination and how knowledge of the future can influence a person's behavior.
• The protagonist, Lord Arthur Savile, receives a prophecy from a palm reader that he will commit murder, which becomes the catalyst for his actions.
• The work explores the theme of moral responsibility and how one might justify their actions by following a foretold destiny.
• The book was first published in 1887 and is one of Oscar Wilde's early works, showcasing his skill in crafting witty and ironic plots.

Book Review

«Lord Arthur Savile's Crime» is a witty and ironic novella by Oscar Wilde that explores themes of fate, morality, and human nature. Critics note that Wilde masterfully uses satire to mock Victorian society and its prejudices. The protagonist, Lord Arthur Savile, faces a prophecy that compels him to commit a crime, serving as a catalyst for reflections on free will and responsibility. Wilde, as always, brilliantly plays with language, creating vivid and memorable images. Critics emphasize that the novella, despite its lightness and humor, raises serious questions, prompting readers to ponder the nature of good and evil. This work is considered one of the best examples of Wilde's style, combining elegance, irony, and profound meaning.