I suppose society is wonderfully delightful. To be in it is merely a bore. But to be out of it is simply a tragedy

I suppose society is wonderfully delightful. To be in it is merely a bore. But to be out of it is simply a tragedy

Oscar Wilde, the renowned Irish playwright, poet, and author, was known for his wit, humor, and sharp observations on society. The quote, “I suppose society is wonderfully delightful. To be in it is merely a bore. But to be out of it is simply a tragedy,” perfectly encapsulates Wilde’s views on the complexities of social norms and expectations.

Wilde was a keen observer of the upper-class society in which he moved, and he often satirized its conventions and hypocrisies in his works. He understood the allure of society – the parties, the gossip, the glamour – but he also saw the shallowness and conformity that often came with it. To Wilde, being a part of society meant having to adhere to its rules and expectations, stifling one’s individuality and creativity in the process.

However, Wilde also recognized the dangers of being an outsider, of being ostracized or marginalized by society. As a gay man in Victorian England, Wilde experienced firsthand the harsh judgment and discrimination that could come from not fitting into societal norms. His own tragic downfall, brought about by his homosexuality and his defiance of societal conventions, serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of being an outsider.