Pride The Victorian Era is marked by the reign of Queen Victoria in England from 1837 to 1901 (Era of Elegance). He is known for his attention to high morals, modesty and proper decorum, inspired by the Queen and her husband, Prince Albert. Emphasis was given to civic consciousness and social responsibility, including equality towards all. Science, technology, and Christianity thrived. Humanitarian and religious organisations, such as the Salvation Army, reflected Victorian concern for the poor and needy. The Church was rich and powerful. Only the wealthy could afford education, so most remained illiterate, unable to think critically. People believed the word of the Bible and that was all that mattered. However, increasing industrialization brought numerous challenges to Christianity. Education became available to everyone, so they had the ability to form opinions. Urbanization has taken effect. Problems included growing trends on materialism, nationalism, communism, and higher criticism of the Bible (Eras of Elegance). Playwright, novelist, poet, and short story writer, Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland (Wright 54). He was the son of two very talented parents. His father, Sir William Ralph Wills Wilde, was a prominent ear and eye surgeon, scholar and noted archaeologist. His mother, Jean Francesca Elgee, wrote passionate nationalistic articles for the radical newspaper The Nation (Wright 54). Although Wilde did not do well in school, he loved the classics and found a passion for writing. He began writing plays, essays, a novel and many short stories, becoming famous for everything he wrote. “I will be a poet, a writer, a playwright. One way or another I will become famous... middle of paper... a society did not accept his radical ideas. In the end, he became like the characters he created. Like Star Child and Rocket, he also took pride in noting that his behavior would cost him his freedom. Perhaps, like many artists, Oscar Wilde was ahead of his time. Today, his flamboyant ways, his pride and his homosexuality would be seen as part of his creative outlet and as eccentric, not as something to be feared as Victorian society did. Like Ellen DeGeneres' homosexuality and Lady GaGa's bizarre way of dressing, many artists today feel that their outward appearance is part of their personality, and today's society is more likely to embrace differences in artists and praise them for their creativity . However he was perceived in his time, today Oscar Wilde is considered one of the most gifted and most cited users of the English language (Wright 54).