The Ballad of Reading Gaol

by Oscar Wilde
The Ballad of Reading Gaol cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Poetry
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  • ID: 7794
  • Added: 2025-12-16
  • Updated: 2025-12-31
  • Published: 1899-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Ballad of Reading Gaol is a deeply moving and reflective poem by Oscar Wilde, written during his imprisonment. It recounts the story of a soldier who was executed for murdering his wife, delving into the harsh realities of prison life and the universal human capacity for both cruelty and compassion. /n/n Wilde's own experiences in Reading Gaol heavily influenced the poem, which is known for its lyrical beauty and emotional depth. It serves as a critique of the penal system and a meditation on the nature of guilt, innocence, and societal judgment.

Reviews
Medium · 2025-12-16
beautiful 4.50

The poem is a tragic yet beautiful masterpiece that deserves recognition alongside other literary classics. It highlights the harsh realities of the penal system and the death penalty.

This review emphasizes the profound impact of the poem, describing it as a tragic yet beautiful masterpiece. The reviewer believes it should be given the same importance as other literary classics. The poem is seen as a powerful indictment of the penal system and the death penalty, making it a revelation rather than just a protest. The structure and depth of the poem are particularly noted, making it a significant work that resonates deeply with readers.

Quick quotes

    This is so beautiful in the most tragic way

    should be given the same importance as any other literary masterpiece

    a powerful indictment of the penal system and the death penalty

Swords and Spectres · 2017-02-05
moving 4.20

The poem reflects Wilde's compassion for prisoners and the marginalized in Victorian society. It is a moving and thought-provoking work.

This review focuses on Wilde's compassionate reflections on the treatment of prisoners, who were among the most marginalized in Victorian society. The reviewer finds the poem deeply moving and thought-provoking, highlighting Wilde's humanity and his ability to bring attention to the plight of the marginalized. The poem is seen as a significant work that resonates with readers, offering a poignant look into the harsh realities of the penal system and the death penalty.

Quick quotes

    Wilde's compassionate reflections on the treatment of prisoners

    among Victorian society's most marginalised

    a moving and thought-provoking work

The Guardian · 2009-03-23
revelation 4.00

The Ballad is more than a protest poem; it is a revelation that exposes the injustices of the penal system. Its structure and depth make it a significant work.

This review from The Guardian highlights the poem as a revelation that goes beyond a simple protest. It delves into the injustices of the penal system and the death penalty, making it a profound and thought-provoking piece. The reviewer appreciates the structure and depth of the poem, noting that it is much more than a protest poem. The poem's ability to reveal the harsh realities of the system is particularly emphasized, making it a significant and impactful work.

Quick quotes

    The Ballad is an indictment of the death penalty and the whole penal system

    It is a revelation, and its structure is ...

    much more than a protest poem

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