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Imprisonment Books

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Oscar Wilde

De Profundis

"De Profundis" by Oscar Wilde is a letter written between January and March 1897 during his imprisonment in Reading Gaol. Addressed to his former lover Lord Alfred Douglas, the letter reflects on their tumultuous relationship and the extravagance that led to Wilde's conviction for gross indecency. In its pages, Wilde examines both Douglas's vanity and his own failings, then charts his spiritual transformation in prison and profound identification with Christ as a romantic artist. Written under strict supervision, the complete text wasn't published until decades after Wilde's death.

Oscar Wilde

De profundis

"De profundis" by Oscar Wilde is a letter written between January and March 1897 during his imprisonment in Reading Gaol. Addressed to his former lover Lord Alfred Douglas, the letter recounts their extravagant relationship that led to Wilde's conviction for gross indecency. In its pages, Wilde reflects on both Douglas's vanity and his own weakness, then charts his spiritual transformation in prison and his identification with Jesus Christ as a romantic artist. Written under strict conditions, the manuscript was entrusted to Robert Ross upon Wilde's release.

Oscar Wilde

De profundis

"De profundis" by Oscar Wilde is a letter written between January and March 1897 during his imprisonment in Reading Gaol. Addressed to his former lover Lord Alfred Douglas, the letter chronicles their tumultuous relationship and the events leading to Wilde's conviction for gross indecency. In its pages, Wilde examines both Douglas's vanity and his own failings, before charting his spiritual transformation in prison and identification with Christ as a romantic artist. Written under strict supervision and never sent, this deeply personal document reveals a broken man seeking meaning through suffering.

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