THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL
Quotes
‘ for each man kills the thing he loves’
‘The very mud cried out for blood’
‘Numbered tomb’
‘ how one could sleep so sweet a sleep with a hangman close at hand’
‘Alas it is a fearful thing to feel another’s guilt’
‘They glided past they glided fast’
‘Something was dead in each of us’
‘Seperate hell’
‘There is no chapel’
‘Dishonoured grave’
‘Or whether laws be wrong’
‘All but lust is turned to dust’
‘We rust life’s iron chain’
‘Only blood can wipe out blood’
Elements of crime
The crime isn’t shown only the punishment- effects of crime, realism
Context
Oscar Wilde was imprisoned for homosexual acts which he does not mention in the poem
Published under the name ‘C.3.3’
‘Because it circulated widely among the criminal classes to which I now belong- for once I will be read by my peers.’
Plot
Wilde is exposing the harsh reality of prison m life in Victorian England as well as highlighting the hypocrisy of so called Christian’s and their ability to preach redemption and forgiveness but use capital punishment
The text is about the hanging of Charles wooldridge and the contrast between the peace he is at now compared to the suffering of the prisoners
Debate
Who is truly guilty
Who suffers the most
Oscar Wilde
Usually explored themes of luxury
Known for his character
Makes us question whether society is guilty i.e prison guards
Structural features
Ballad form
ABCBDB rhyme form
Elegiac and sympathetic narrator
Injustice of justice
Themes
Hypocrisy of Christianity inability to extend forgiveness and redemption
Psychological damage of prison
Death and forboding
Speak widely to the proletariat and fellow prisoners in Reynolds magazine
Wooldridge is the only prisoner who sleeps well he can escape the torment of prison
Explicit criticism of Christianity
Common humanity, collective criminal conscience
Focus on the potential for murder
Prison is like death
Personification and internal rhyme, human hunger, ruthless punishment
Ability to feel humanises criminals that society consistently attempts to dehumanise
Internal rhyme, quick approach of death
Collective suffering and hopelessness
No comfort, can’t pray even on day of their death, punishment goes against religion
Isolation in prison
Chaplain wouldn’t not pray sinners, even dead people not afforded redemption
Hope is destroyed, despair, no deep feeling within them only desire to leave
Justice system is revengeful and equally full of sin, purity of religion vs violence of prison
Violence
Suffering
Morality
Social commentary
Plot- before and after wooldridges death