Oscar Wilde visited America in the year 1882. Interest in the Æsthetic School, of which he was already the acknowledged master, had sometime previously spread to the United States, and it is said that the production of the Gilbert and Sullivan opera, “Patience,”[1] in which he and his disciples were held up to ridicule, determined him to pay a visit to the States to give some lectures explaining what he meant by Æstheticism, hoping thereby to interest, and possibly to instruct and elevate our transatlantic cousins.
Impressions of America by Oscar Wilde is a collection of essays based on his travels to the United States in 1882. The book offers a witty and critical account of his experiences in America, where Wilde was invited to give a series of lectures on art and aesthetics. Through a mix of satire and keen observations, Wilde comments on American culture, society, manners, politics, and the contrast between the New World and the Old World.
Wilde's humor shines through as he both praises and critiques various aspects of American life, from the bustling cities to the country’s enthusiasm for progress and success. Though often humorous, Wilde’s impressions also reflect his underlying fascination with America, as well as his occasional disapproval of its materialism and lack of refinement compared to Europe.
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Categories: History Non-Fiction Classics