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By the by, do you know, I was very much
disappointed in the Atlantic Ocean. |
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ATTRIBUTION |
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Original source |
Interview with New York
newspaper reporters January 2nd, 1882 on board S.S. Arizona |
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| By | Oscar Wilde | |
| Details |
The Sun, January 3, 1882 Quoted in article entitled OSCAR WILDE IN NEW YORK |
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| Details |
The New-York Times, January 3rd , 1882 p. 5 col. 6, article entitled ten minutes with a poet The article states the reporters first talked to Wilde's fellow passengers, and it was they who recounted Wilde's views en route about the tameness of the sea. The report does not quote similar comments made directly by Wilde on this occasion. |
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| Circumstances |
The New York Times (ibid.) describes the
circumstances of the interview: "several reporters braved the raging billows in a small boat" and made a "perilous ascent of the rope ladder at the ship's side". cf. The New York Sun described their reporter as "drenched". After talking to passengers, Wilde was found at the Captain's quarters. The interview lasted ten minutes as the oarsmen in the small row boat would wait only this long. |
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| Commentary | Despite being quoted as a primary source, there is some doubt whether Wilde said these exact words, and whether he said them on this occasion. It is clear, however, that the remarks represent his stated opinion while aboard the Arizona. | |
| Parodied in |
under construction Pall Mall Gazette Poem: The Disappointed Deep same as? Poem in L&S p. 33 - not sourced. Truth Wilde on return |
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| Analysis | ||
