A haunting meditation on justice, love, and human suffering – Wilde’s final work, born from personal tragedy, remains one of the most powerful prison poems ever written.

Written after his release from Reading Gaol in 1897, Oscar Wilde’s The Ballad of Reading Gaol reflects on the execution of fellow inmate Charles Thomas Wooldridge and the brutal realities of incarceration. Composed under the pseudonym ""C.3.3.""—Wilde’s prison cell number—the poem transcends personal narrative to critique the dehumanizing effects of the penal system.

Through evocative verse, Wilde explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the universal capacity for love and cruelty. The poem’s refrain, “Yet each man kills the thing he loves,” underscores the complex interplay between affection and destruction, inviting readers to reflect on the moral ambiguities of justice and punishment.

After listening to this book, you will learn:

• how Wilde’s personal experiences shaped his literary voice;

• the societal implications of the Victorian penal system;

• the emotional and psychological impact of imprisonment;

• the use of poetic form to convey profound moral questions;

• the enduring relevance of Wilde’s critique of justice and compassion.

The Ballad of Reading Gaol stands as a poignant testament to human resilience and the enduring power of empathy in the face of suffering.

Petr Filin

Sprecher