Arthur Ransome begins by addressing the critical challenge of separating an artist's personal life from their creative work, arguing that in Wilde's case, biography and literature must be viewed together as a self-portrait. Ransome explores Wilde's early years in Dublin and Oxford, tracing the influences of classical scholarship, aestheticism, and the French romantic movement that shaped his intellectual foundation.
The study delves into Wilde's early poetry and the publication of his first collection, analyzing his heavy reliance on literary imitation as an exploratory tool of criticism. Ransome examines the cultural phenomenon of aestheticism, following Wilde from his undergraduate days to his lecture tours in America and his creative periods in Paris.
Moving into miscellaneous prose, the book covers Wilde's short stories and fairy tales, such as The Happy Prince and A House of Pomegranates, highlighting his unique mastery of decorative prose and his synthesis of Andersen and Flaubert. The creation and reception of The Picture of Dorian Gray are analyzed as an essay in decorative art reacting against the brutality of plain realism.
The critical essays collected in Intentions receive thorough examination, particularly Wilde's revolutionary theories on art, the decay of lying, and the critic as artist. Ransome explores how Wilde elevated conversation and criticism into creative acts, establishing a new standard of valuation for literature.
The theatrical works are divided between the romantic dramas like Salomé and the brilliant social comedies that culminated in The Importance of Being Earnest. Ransome evaluates Wilde's technical mastery of the stage, his use of paradox, and his ability to combine witty dialogue with intricate plots.
The final chapters address the catastrophe of Wilde's trials and imprisonment, examining the profound influence of suffering on his later worldview. Ransome analyzes De Profundis and The Ballad of Reading Gaol, showing how Wilde's artistic attitude shifted under the weight of tragedy while retaining his core devotion to beauty.
