Oscar Wilde’s Irish Heritage and the Folkloric Roots of His Fairy Tales

This thesis presents an analysis of Oscar Wilde’s fairy tales exploring their relationship to Irish folklore. The study begins by contextualising the evolution of the fairy tale genre, mapping its transition from the oral folk tale into the literary fairy tale. It also focuses on the fairy tale’s role in Victorian England. The thesis then analyses Oscar Wilde and his complex identity as an Irishman navigating society in Victorian England. It then investigates Wilde’s connections to Irish folklore, highlighting his parent’s, Sir William Wilde and Lady Jane Francesca Wilde, contribution to its preservation. Finally, after an overview of Oscar Wilde’s two collections of fairy tales, The Happy Prince and Other Tales and A House of Pomegranates, the analysis focuses on three specific stories from his second collection, The Young King, The Fisherman and His Soul, and The Star-Child. By focusing on these selected texts, the study identifies the distinct folkloric motifs present, revealing deep cultural roots. The ultimate aim of this thesis is to demonstrate the presence of Oscar Wilde’s Irish folkloric tradition in his fairy tales, illustrating that while his connection to his origins may not be immediately evident, it remains a defining influence.