# To Oscar Wilde explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The speaker addresses Oscar Wilde with scorn, accusing him of folly, ignorance, and a lack of understanding. The speaker refuses to engage seriously with Wilde, dismissing him as a spectacle akin to a two-headed calf, and responds with contempt rather than debate.

## Themes in this chapter

### Art and Criticism

The poem attacks Wilde's artistic and intellectual stance, reflecting a clash between conventional common sense and aesthetic ideals.

### Deception and Self-Deception

The speaker implies Wilde is deceived by folly and in turn deceives others with empty promises and random blows.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who derides Oscar Wilde.

## Key lines

> Because from Folly’s lips you got Some babbled mandate to subdue The realm of Common Sense, and you Made promise and considered not

Because you took foolish advice to attack common sense, and made promises without thinking.

_Accuses Wilde of acting on foolish inspiration without reflection._

> Dispute with such a thing as you— Twin show to the two-headed calf? Why, sir, if I repress my laugh, ’Tis more than half the world can do.

Arguing with you is like debating a freak show; most people would laugh at you rather than take you seriously.

_Dismisses Wilde as a ridiculous spectacle not worthy of serious debate._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/to-oscar-wilde
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters