Thank you for this fun, engaging look at the work of Oscar Wilde. I'll never forget walking into my A-level English class 10 minutes late. My tutor asked "why are you always late?" and solemnly I replied: "punctuality is the thief of time". She adroitly responded: "How dare you quote Oscar Wilde and write such terrible essays!". Fair play.

My fave misquoted quote comes from Oscar Wilde: *_"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness."_*

Unbelievable that your doctoral literary insight is available to us book lovers free of charge. We can't thank you enough

@books_ncats

2 ай бұрын

Aw that's so kind, thank you! - Rosie

Perfect co-star you got there, since cats know all about self indulgence and anarchy! 😺😉

@books_ncats

2 ай бұрын

A truer word was never spoken.

My drama teacher once described The Importance of Being Earnest as 'a horror of manners' & that sold me on the play instantly.

Misunderstanding the "lemons" in the saying to mean something good that you make better is such an endearingly sweet, positive mistake. I like your interpretation so much better than the generally accepted meaning that I think I'll just go with that from now on.

I feel that Oscar would take personal offence to being called "style over substance" and write an essay about it insisting he wasn't offended at all but that it was also wrong on several levels. But then he was the most dramatic of gays so of course he would.

@thekajalflaneur

2 ай бұрын

Hahaha if you think he is a hoot, read Quentin Crisp (kinda Wilde of the post WWII era)

I firmly believe he was lying when he mocked consevative victorians by tainting the noble scene of art with his claim. I honestly believe he knew exactly he wasn't creating art or beauty just for the sake of it. He was protesting, just as you said, he was critiquing victorian society.

"It won't teach you how to be a mORallY uPstaNdiNg member of Victorian society! It's PURE, PERVERSE, PLEASURE!" ... is the essence of that "You don't have to sell it to me Harry" meme.

"Beauty is a form of genius- is higher, indeed, than genius- as it needs no explanation"

I think the statement "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" doesn't necessarily say that lemons are bad. More so that when life gives you something sour turn it into something sweet. I do agree though that the phrase kinda does make lemons sound bad lol.

"Morality" in that context = "social control & maintenance of the existing social-hierarchy" but only on a less overtly brutal and violent level than accomplished through Feudalism.

I personally subscribe to Esme Weatherwax's definition of decadence: having 10 teeth But in all earnesty, thank you, I love this video

Oh moral panic... It sure changes flavors throughout the years, yet leaves the same taste behind. I'm glad we are further along, but there is plenty of distance to cover. 😻Extra boop for Mouse!

I'm old enough to remember being startled when Madison Avenue started trying to get us to put food into our mouths by calling it "decadent." In those days, perhaps the most common use of that word was to describe the later Roman Empire, and the common view of that era was a bunch of spoiled aristocrats sitting around drinking wine and gorging themselves on expensive delicacies. I always assumed (without any supportive evidence) that this was what led to the misunderstanding of what that "decadent" meant.

6:12 those cookies are available across Canada as PC brand Decadent cookies. They are a cheaply made store brand cookie that is truly garbage and if tricked into eating one I would immediately spit it out. They fall more on the side of decay than the sinfully indulgent side of decadence.

@cinnasauria

2 ай бұрын

They're more specifically supposed to be store brand Chips Ahoy and I tend to like them better than what they're filling in for, but that's not saying much and I would rather get a completely different kind of cookie anyway.

@efahall._.

2 ай бұрын

@@cinnasauria you're right Chips Ahoy are also garbage but I would have a hard time saying that the PC one is better or worse. I'm with you, just pick another cookie and don't waste your time with these!

I look up definitions of words I think I know all the time just to make sure I don't have the wrong idea, but I never thought to question "decadent" so I'm just now learning this here, that's so interesting. I paused to comment so I haven't heard your insight yet, but my immediate thought is that the whole association with indulgence might have something to do with the old idea that indulgence itself, and in sweet and pleasurable and exciting experiences, drains one's "vital energy." That's something you've mentioned before, and was even a large part of the infamous Kellogg's corn flakes origin story. Also, Mouse giving herself a little sprucing up... very cute. Truly decadent in the modern colloquial sense.

ANOTHER BANGER INCOMING

I love how I'm getting here before the vid and there's 14 of us already Edit- hey the 27 of us here for the premiere!

@honeyLXIX

2 ай бұрын

🙋‍♀😊

The antidote “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade”. In America we use the term “Lemon” as a bad or broken item. I’ve personally heard it used the most as an adjective to describe a rundown car. “That car is a lemon”. I’m not sure why exactly we treat the lemon as something bad lol I enjoy citrus fruits.

@books_ncats

2 ай бұрын

Ahh yeah I've heard lemon used like that, too. Interesting that it varies between countries - Rosie

Excellent video, thank you. My favourite book on Wilde and the 19th century queer subculture is Neil Bartlett's "Who Was That Man?" - more polemic than history, but great fun. It highlights some of the points you make about Decadence as a vehicle for social critique, particularly of English bourgeois "morality". A well reviewed recent book, which is on my TBR list, is Chris Bryant's "James And John", which examines the case of the last two men hanged for sodomy in England.

@books_ncats

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for commenting, and for your recommendations, I haven't read them so will add them to the ever-growing reading list! - Rosie

can I just say, the 3 minute introduction was flawless!

Realy appreciate your green carnation ❤

@books_ncats

2 ай бұрын

Ahh yay! - Rosie

I took a course on decadence literature in college, and absolutely loved it.

@MildredCady

2 ай бұрын

My husband is a composer, and periodically, I was suggested a decadence movement poet when he’s asking about inspiration.

admittedly, i am not well-versed in much literature or literary-adjacent subjects. i've always loved to read, english/language arts was always my best subject by a landslide, and i am so passionate about reading and literacy that i'm starting grad school this fall to become a public librarian. a lot of this type of content goes well above my head and it's not always easy to process what you're saying - which is NO fault of your own, that's on me - but i continue to watch, and love doing so, because your passion is contagious. your editing is entertaining and captivating. it is a delight. and at the end of the day, i do always learn something which is something to be grateful for. thank you!

Lmao the French be like- "Cookies so good it may just start ANOTHER revolution :D"

I can't hear the "Life gives you lemons" without cracking up. My brain either goes to Cave Johnson(Portal) and his lemon rant, or the God Emperor of Mankind(40k) and his lemon rant! 😂

@amazinggrapes3045

2 ай бұрын

I think of that vine where the guy poors lemons out of a box of Life cereal and the Thomas the Tank Engine thrme plays

I love that you used Danse Macabre in this.

Ineffable. You are so good at this stuff! You make me love literature again. Thank you.

@books_ncats

2 ай бұрын

So pleased to hear it! Thank you - Rosie

Oh I am definitely going to watch the film adaptation now.

My personal irony for the night - having this playing on my "favorite video essays" playlist, and hearing it start as I'm warming up a brownie to have with ice cream. I know that's not the point, but I find it very funny. I literally am watching the video cake-fork first 😂

@books_ncats

2 ай бұрын

Excellent! Hope it was a decadent dessert - Rosie

I love Wilde. Both as a historical figure and as a writer. His contradictions and wordplay are fascinating, and I was so happy when I noticed you'd published a video about him heheh

YES!! I WAS WAITING FOR THIS AAAAAAAA SO EXCITED LESGOOO oh my god your OUTFIT, THE SCENARIO, EVERYTHING, AMAZING

It was a big surprise for me when moving to France for my masters was that decadent is really just used with a negative moral connotation. As an American, I always just imagine luxury or some particularly good food haha. My French friends were surprised that it could be seen as a good word in English!

Stoked for thiiiis!!!!!

Ah yes, Oscar Wilde, the reason I always say "Yo who cares, just do what feels good."

Wonderful stuff ❤

I love your videos so much!

So Good! Thanks for this video.

Excellent point! I shall make a decadent cake to enjoy this decadent discussion.

Fantastic analysis, thoroughly enjoyed ✨

I remember reading and learning about the importance of being Ernest in high school and that it was incredibly silly and ridiculous. I don’t remember anything about the decadence movement at all. Though it has been 25 years since then. P.S. The decadence movement is exactly the type of lifestyle belief system I’ve been living without having a name for till now. So thank you 😊

One of my favorite authors!!!!!! So excited for thiis one

Usually I like to listen to a whole video essay before I like. But I will engage early this time, because I have also committed to dying on the hill that lemons are peak citrus.

I loved this celebration of Wilde!

Lemons are sour, so make something sweet (lemonade). But decadent DEFINITELY threw me off lol.

6:04 you can buy these all over Canada in Loblaws stores! They’re just called Decadent in English. I frickin love them lol, I’ve been eating them since I was a kid😂

Super well-timed! I just finished reading The Picture of Dorian Gray! Subscribed after your first few words lol I was already sold.

@books_ncats

Ай бұрын

Ah thank you! - Rosie

I've been hungry for Oscar Wilde history content, so this video has arrived perfectly! I cant believe with such excellent editing and fabulous details that you dont have more views! You're bound to become more popular in the YT history community, i just know it! (And you deserve it!💅) Keep it up, you've got a new subscriber :D

@books_ncats

Ай бұрын

Ahh thanks so much, that's lovely to hear. Glad to have satiated your Wilde hunger! - Rosie

It’s so funny looking back. I went to a super conservative, deep east Texas school in the mid 00s and our drama club performed The Importance of Being Earnest and it was a huge success. It was praised by the super conservative school district, aka the people who 100 years ago would have been horrified by it.

Big fan of decadence/fin de siecle culture, but/and Nordau's Degeneration is one of the funniest reads I've ever encountered

It is a joy listening to you, thank you. And I am very fond of OW, the revolutionary OW.

@books_ncats

2 ай бұрын

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching - Rosie

Just came across your channel and had to subscribe: loved how you delved into the topic just as much as the presentation itself. Oh, and the cat is just adorable!

@books_ncats

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Pleased you enjoyed - Rosie

I love your videos. Thank you ❤

@books_ncats

2 ай бұрын

You're very welcome :) - Rosie

A wonderful topic and presentation today! I have always seen the word decadence as meaning self-indulgent and sinful beyond average, but hen what is average sin or indulgence?

Where have you been all my life... 10/10, this is great. Very decedent.

What I find most interesting about Oscar Wilde is the fact that, while he is a popular gay icon, he had a wife. In An Ideal Husband especially he seems to be lamenting the way women can put men on pedestals, imagining them to be flawless. Why can't they accept that those they love are imperfect? I heard his wife stayed out of it when he was put on trial and charged for homosexuality. I wonder if she knew. On top of that, there's the idea of living in a facade. In Lady Windermere's Fan people are portrayed as better off not knowing everything about each other. And then there's the fantasies everybody is caught up in in The Importance of Being Earnest. I think that you can see what someone is going through mentally from the stories they make and I just find him such an interesting case study.

@theoriginalsuzycat

Ай бұрын

She knew why he went to prison, yes. She made no contact with Bosie a condition of paying Oscar's allowance (she had the money in their marriage) after his release

Me and my sis love this channel. I come for the literature and she comes for the cats lmaooo

@books_ncats

2 ай бұрын

haha yay, glad there's something for everyone! - Rosie

Thank you for your wonderful videos! Might you consider shining the light of your literary intellect on Ursula K. Le Guin? I am currently reading Space Crone ( Silver Press , 2023 ) and I think you might find her opinions an gender, feminism, and aging women, very interesting. Also, the fact she was open to criticism, and able to change her mind and point of view. Amazing.

@books_ncats

2 ай бұрын

YES, absolutely. I loved Space Crone so much! There may be a Le Guin video on the cards soon... - Rosie

@sofiewauters7539

2 ай бұрын

@@books_ncatsAmazing!! Thank you.

i would love if you talked about more queer literature, if that is something you are also interested in of course!

@books_ncats

2 ай бұрын

Yes, I am v interested and plan to write on more queer writers in the future! - Rosie

@jackiec860

2 ай бұрын

@@books_ncats yay! thank you, i am excited to hear that and i’ll look forward to whenever you get around to it!!! 💗

Hmm, a utilitarian is a crowd pleaser. They get their social status from the esteem of others. This is a different option. Its like symbiot vs parasite

i love this

This reeeallly puts Dorian Gray into perspective 😮

Wilde doesn't seem shocking these days. "A Rebours" and "Le Bas" are still quite disturbing. I think the first decadent writer was the Marquis de Sade. He went to prison for his writing.

Noice

Oscar Wilde persecution was a result of racism as well as homophobia. Being unapologetically Irish in England at that time might have been the less forgivable of his sins.

I cannot stop to admire your confident voice. I never learned english but thanks to you I understand almost everything. But I always thought that decadence is also about a despair. At least that's what I see in "the King in yellow" by R. Chambers (I always thought how funny that everyone remembers from this book only first four stories but nobody sees that "The Demoiselle d'Ys" is practically a little version of "Le Petit Prince" with the snake bite in the end). Also I agree with you about the lemons. There is a saying "work is not a wolf, it won’t run into the forest". I thought that this means that you still have to do your job no matter how long you will be hide your tasks under the rug, but actually it means that you can be lasy sometimes and do your job later. Sorry for my bad english and thank you for the video

Great insights in Oscar Wilde!!!! I like your cake!!!!!!! 🥮

I'll be waiting impatiently 🫣