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5th out of 121 books
—
20 voters
The Ballad of Reading Gaol and Other Poems
Twenty-four important works, focusing on Wilde's poetic legacy, offer important clues to themes and subjects that preoccupied this gifted writer in other works. Includes The Ballad of Reading Gaol, a powerful indictment of the degradation and inhumanity of prison life; "The Sphinx," "The Grave of Keats," "The Harlot's House," and20 others....more
Paperback, 64 pages
Published
February 29th 2012
by Dover Publications
(first published 1896)
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This is a review specifically of the titular poem, not the others in this collection. For me, this was the moment:
The Chaplain would not kneel to pray
By his dishonored grave:
Nor mark it with that blessed Cross
That Christ for sinners gave,
Because the man was one of those
Whom Christ came down to save
Yet all is well; he has but passed
To Life's appointed bourne:
And alien tears will fill for him
Pity's long-broken urn,
For his mourners will be outcast men,
And outcasts always mourn.
The Chaplain would not kneel to pray
By his dishonored grave:
Nor mark it with that blessed Cross
That Christ for sinners gave,
Because the man was one of those
Whom Christ came down to save
Yet all is well; he has but passed
To Life's appointed bourne:
And alien tears will fill for him
Pity's long-broken urn,
For his mourners will be outcast men,
And outcasts always mourn.
This is a poem but also a story. I understand that Oscar Wilde was imprisoned when he wrote this and you can tell. The whole poem is beautiful, dark, and just breathtaking. Anyone who has never read this poem, it is a must. It is a very powerful poem and will haunt you for years. I still read it and it moves me just as much each time. I think Oscar Wilde is my favorite writer and this is absolutely my fav.
I was stirred by the Ballad of Reading Gaol, but so many of the other poems were of Christian themes, which I found hard to relate to. I didn't realize Wilde was such a Christian! (?!?) Seems incongruous... One thing I got out of his "other poems" was a great variation on the sonnet rhyme scheme that I've been experimenting with ever since: ABBA, ABBA, ABCCBA.
Nov 08, 2010
James
added it
I love his poetry and advanced wit but I am far from making my mind up about the man
there are to many notions and ideals that surround him, a kind of cover if you will.
It's a good thing I am sure of it.I did write a fair tribute of his experience, it brought
the best and worst of me out.
there are to many notions and ideals that surround him, a kind of cover if you will.
It's a good thing I am sure of it.I did write a fair tribute of his experience, it brought
the best and worst of me out.
My parents have a first edition of this, and as a child I used to (very carefully) page through it, wondering what a "gaol" was, and being thoroughly spooked by the contents. It was the first time I tried to read something that was over my head: the older I got, the darker it became.
The Ballad of Reading Gaol is my fave poem!!! i really really love it! Wilde was a genius
excerpt: The Ballad of Reading Gaol by Oscar Wilde
Yet each man kills the thing he loves
By each let this be heard,
Some do it with a bitter look,
Some with a flattering word,
The coward does it with a kiss,
The brave man with a sword!
Some kill their love when they are young,
And some when they are old;
Some strangle with the hands of Lust,
Some with the hands of Gold:
The kindest use a knife, because
The dead so...more
excerpt: The Ballad of Reading Gaol by Oscar Wilde
Yet each man kills the thing he loves
By each let this be heard,
Some do it with a bitter look,
Some with a flattering word,
The coward does it with a kiss,
The brave man with a sword!
Some kill their love when they are young,
And some when they are old;
Some strangle with the hands of Lust,
Some with the hands of Gold:
The kindest use a knife, because
The dead so...more
Reading Gaol is dark and well-crafted. Here's a sample:
And all the woe that moved him so
That he gave that bitter cry,
And the wild regrets, and the bloody sweats,
None knew so well as I:
For he who lives more lives than one
More deaths than one must die.
Boom.
And all the woe that moved him so
That he gave that bitter cry,
And the wild regrets, and the bloody sweats,
None knew so well as I:
For he who lives more lives than one
More deaths than one must die.
Boom.
Wilde is a real enchanter, and his poetry is full of beauty. Even the most painful sensations are expressed so melodiously, he manages to create wonder in ever line...
I chose to memorize this and read it in 7th grade English Class because I loved it so much. Boy did I screw it up.
i loved the ballad of reading gaol.. those within are maybe as ruthless as those that guard the cells.
I reccomend reading it out loud, with a group of friends, outside in a grassy area.
What all poets should strive for...simplicity, beauty, and a seamless flow of words.
Ehhhh not Wilde's best. I don't think I read any but the titular poem in this collection.
I reread The Ballad of Reading Gaol probably once a month!
Apr 23, 2012
Sarah
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
bookcrossing,
français
Le style de Wilde est incomparable. Un vrai bonheur.
Of course, he's on my list of Irish authors!
Will always be one of my favorites.
Tremendous.
love this poem
Great stuff!
Jul 19, 2010
Stephanie Landers
added it
This is emotive, viperous and of course brilliant
Brings to mind Shawshank redemption and that Black veil song. So sad, so sweet it breaks your heart. Yes, it is long, but so worth the time.
I don't know anything about this edition...
I don't know anything about this edition...
This book of Poetry is great. A little out there but great. The title poem is my favorite. Each poem is thought provoking and shows just how twisted yet brilliant Oscar Wildes mind is.
"There walks Queen Juno through some dewy mead, her grand white feet flecked with the saffron dust"
There are too many wonderful descriptions in his poems (Y)
There are too many wonderful descriptions in his poems (Y)
Wilde said somewhere, "Great tragedies in life lead to great tragedies in art," and this poem certainly proves it. But it still makes me cry every time I read it.
When I think of Oscar Wilde, I think first of his plays, rather forgetting he wrote some marvelous poetry. Make his acquaintance.
Powerful poem about hanging - as inspired by a fellow inmate in prison. Introduced by Roger McGough and read by Sam West.
I adore Oscar Wilde, but as far as poetry goes he's a one-hit wonder.
Great engaging poetry
Poetry speaks of the poet's heart
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Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish playwright, poet and author of numerous short stories and one novel. Known for his biting wit, and a plentitude of aphorisms, he became one of the most successful playwrights of the late Victorian era in London, and one of the greatest celebrities of his day. Several of his plays continue to be widely performed, especially The Importance of Being E...more
More about Oscar Wilde...
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“For he who lives more lives than one more deaths than one must die.”
—
31 people liked it
“We know not whether laws be right
Or whether laws be wrong
All we know who lie in gaol
Is that the walls are strong
And each day is like a year
A year whose days are long.”
—
4 people liked it
More quotes…
Or whether laws be wrong
All we know who lie in gaol
Is that the walls are strong
And each day is like a year
A year whose days are long.”
