Beckson attempts to understand Oscar Wilde from the viewpoint of current psychoanalytic work on narcissism. The focus is on Wilde's concept of dandyism, particularly as it is portrayed in An Ideal Husband. In a somewhat disorganized way, the author ranges broadly over Wilde's life, including his relationship with his father and mother, his sister's death, his love affair with Bosie, and the eventual trial for

homosexuality. The author's intent is to tie all this together through an understanding of narcissism and its relationship to masochism.