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Oscar Wilde - De Profundis - Coggle Diagram
Oscar Wilde - De Profundis
Context
Author Background: Oscar Wild was a renowned Irish playwright, poet and author known for his wit and flamboyant style
Historical Context: Written during Wilde's imprisonment in Reading Gaol (1895 - 1897) after his conviction for ''gross indecency'' due to his homosexual relationships, which were criminalised at the time
Publication: The letter was written in 1897 but published posthumously in
1905,
edited by Wilde's literary executor
Purpose & Audience
Purpose:
To reflect on his life, relationships, and the consequences of his actions.
To express remorse and seek personal catharsis.
To critique societal norms and the justice system
Audience: Primarily addressed to Lord Alfred Douglas ("Bosie"), Wilde's former lover.
Secondary audiences include literary scholars, historians, and the general public interested in Wilde's life and works
Genre and Mode
Genre: Autobiographical letter with elements of confessional literature
Mode: Written, with a reflective and introspective tone
Form: Epistolary, blending personal narrative with philosophical musings
Voice & Tone
Voice: Introspective and analytical, revealing Wilde's inner turmoil and growth.
Philosophical, contemplating broader themes of suffering, art, and redemption.
Tone: Contrite and remorseful, acknowledging personal failings.
Didactic, aiming to impart lessons learned through adversity.
Language Features
Lexis and Semantics: Use of elevated diction and classical references to convey depth of thought.
Emotive language to express pain, regret, and longing.
Syntax: Complex sentence structures reflecting the complexity of Wilde's emotions and thoughts.
Use of rhetorical devices such as parallelism and chiasmus to emphasize key points.
Figurative Language: Metaphors and similes to illustrate abstract concepts like suffering and redemption.
Symbolism, such as references to light and darkness, to represent hope and despair.
Discourse Structure
Organisation: Non-linear narrative, reflecting the stream-of-consciousness style.
Shifts between personal anecdotes and philosophical reflections.
Cohesion: Repetition of themes and motifs to reinforce central ideas.
Use of transitional phrases to guide the reader through complex arguments.
Phonological Features (Implied)
Prosody: Rhythmic patterns created through varied sentence lengths and punctuation.
Implied intonation through word choice and punctuation, suggesting emphasis and emotion.
Paralinguistics: Use of italics and dashes to mimic vocal stress or pauses.
Ellipses to indicate trailing thoughts or emotional pauses.