A little study of it discovers both his strength and his weakness as a writer.
The initial idea of the book is excellent, finer because deeper than the
commonplace idea that is the foundation of Balzac's "Peau de Chagrin," though
it would probably never have been written if Balzac had not written his
book first; but Balzac's sincerity and earnestness grapple with the theme and
wring a blessing out of it, whereas the subtler idea in Oscar's hands dwindles
gradually away till one wonders if the book would not have been more effective
as a short story. Oscar did not know life well enough or care enough for
character to write a profound psychological study: he was at his best in a
short story or play.
One day about this time Oscar first showed me the aphorisms he had written as an
introduction to "Dorian Gray." Several of them I thought excellent; but I found
that Oscar had often repeated himself. I cut these repetitions out and tried to
show him how much better the dozen best were than eighteen of which six were
inferior. I added that I should like to publish the best in "The Fortnightly."
He thanked me and said it was very kind of me.
Next morning I got a letter from him telling me that he had read over my
corrections and thought that the aphorisms I had rejected were the best, but
he hoped I'd publish them as he had written them.
Naturally I replied that the final judgment must rest with him and I published
them at once.
The delight I felt in his undoubted genius and success was not shared by others.
Friends took occasion to tell me that I should not go about with Oscar Wilde.
"Why not?" I asked.
"He has a bad name," was the reply. "Strange things are said about him. He
came down from Oxford with a vile reputation. You have only got to look at
the man."
"Whatever the disease may be," I replied, "it's not catching--unfortunately."
The pleasure men take in denigration of the gifted is one of the puzzles of life
to those who are not envious.
Men of letters, even people who ought to have known better, were slow to admit
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