'Oscar Wilde and Myself' Summary

'Oscar Wilde and Myself' is a contentious memoir by Lord Alfred Douglas, written as a direct response to Oscar Wilde's 'De Profundis'. This deeply personal account offers Douglas's perspective on his relationship with Wilde, the events leading to Wilde's imprisonment, and the subsequent fallout. Douglas passionately defends his actions and motivations, while also criticizing Wilde's writing, character, and the way he was portrayed by other biographers. He believes that Wilde's fame was fleeting and that his legacy would eventually fade. Douglas also takes aim at Arthur Ransome, whose critical biography of Wilde had sparked a libel trial that Douglas ultimately lost. The memoir is a raw and sometimes spiteful retelling of a turbulent love affair, and it provides a valuable, if often biased, glimpse into the lives of these two influential figures of Victorian England. Through Douglas's own words, we gain a deeper understanding of their relationship and the societal context that led to their downfall.