Our tour guide for Dublin, Caroline, took us through central Dublin, sharing her own stories and experiences living here, as well as the history behind many aspects of Dublin- Cathedrals, The Government Buildings, and the most memorable for myself being the statue of Oscar Wilde. She told stories with such conviction that I was actually able to put myself in the shoes of others, and felt a great deal of sorrow for Oscar Wilde. She herself is very light-hearted but also extremely empathetic, and after hearing the story behind the statue of Oscar Wilde, she shaped my gaze of this specific statue. At first glance, I saw nothing more than a statue of a man relaxing on a boulder. If I hadn’t known any better, I wouldn’t have realized this statue was in fact of the famous poet, Oscar Wilde. There was nothing that seemed too significant about it to me, I hadn’t even noticed the polar expressions of each side of his face. I didn’t really think the statue had any real history behind it, I just assumed someone decided to create a statue of a man right inside of the park in central Dublin. It was Caroline’s ability to grab people’s attention and showing appreciation and empathy for the history of things such as this statue, that allowed me to fully engage in the history and cultural significance behind this city.

            Located in central Dublin, specifically Merrion Square, the statue of Oscar Wilde can be spotted just inside the park. A life-size statue of a man exists, and upon further examination can be recognized as this famous writer. Rather than appearing almighty like many statues which are depict a man on a horse, this statue differs. Oscar Wilde is presented lounging on a stone, with one knee up and his arms holding him up, as well as his head cocked to the side a bit. He wears dark pants, a green blazer lined with a coral shirt, and his hair swept in a casual fashion. This stone statue is carved very precisely, showing great detail in his appearance. From one stance and off to his right side, people see the story of his early life, represented by his joyous and rather confident expression- he appears very successful. The other side of the statue, however, depicts a very somber, lost man who seems to be heavily contemplating his life. This complex statue was commissioned in 1997, and this stone sculpture is perfectly located so that Oscar Wilde gazes at his childhood home (Atlas Obscura). Many people know Oscar Wilde as a renowned writer, but Caroline let us in on a little secret. Not many people are aware of the fact that the last years of Oscar Wilde's life were full of troubles and tribulations. Before the age of 50 and in a run down hotel in Paris, Oscar Wilde died after being released from jail after being caught participating in a same sex relationship (Design Destinations; Smith). His statue represents these two very different times in his life, one as a successful poet and play writer where he basks in the glory of his success, and the other side lost and shameful after getting in trouble with the law and destroying the relationship between him and his pregnant wife, Constance Lloyd.

               In discussion of the two polar emotions displayed by the statue of Oscar Wilde, it is important to note the influence this has on photography, and its involvement in power. As we have previously learned, a picture we capture has influence on our gaze (Urry, Larsen 169). Caroline pointed out that to capture the significance behind and beauty of the statue, it is important to get a straight on picture which allows a view of two separate emotions of Oscar Wilde. It is also important to note that a statue with such historical significance should be captured in isolation of any cars, people, or other objects that might dilute it (Urry, Larsen 174). As the statue is located just inside the park and is placed directly in front of trees, is is helpful to capturing a photograph that will not distract from the statue itself, which could have negative impact on my gaze and act as a distraction from the main focus. 

            After learning about the context of the statue of Oscar Wilde, it is truly amazing to learn about how the power of the law could take a joyous man to a place of deep somber, as represented in the stone statue. Oscar Wilde was never truly able to get back on his feet and recover after being thrown in jail for a same sex relationship, and the law had the power to take away everything from him- the concrete things such as his wife, money and ability to actively engage as a writer, but also his ego, happiness, and freedom. As laws have changed, if Oscar Wilde had been alive during our time, his life could have ended much differently. The law has a huge impact on someone’s life, as it is the basis of power itself. Caroline also had power in telling this story. She could have walked us right by this statue, but made it a point to explain the story behind the statue of Oscar Wilde and explore it for ourselves, as it is one of her favorite statues. It was her choice to share this story with us, and she had the power to inform each of us about his life after learning that hardly anyone knew his life story. She knew that it was significant enough to share her knowledge of the statue with us.

            Something that I took away from having Caroline as our lovely tour guide for Dublin, is that it is important to ask the obvious questions, such as what is the significance behind this statue and why was it placed here? Before her tour, I’ve walked past numerous monuments, statues, etc. without really understanding why they were created. I had just assumed that the statue of Oscar Wilde was a man looking out on Dublin and wouldn’t have questioned the significance behind it- there is a story behind everything, whether it be basic or complex. In this case, the story behind the statue of Oscar Wilde is in fact one of my favorite stories from the trip, and learning the history behind the creation of the statue in relation to his life story was absolutely fascinating to me. Caroline taught me so much not only about the specific statue, but about the importance of really diving deeply as a tourist and learning as much as I can while exploring new places. A little bit of research and exploring can go a long way, and knowing the story behind something gives me so much more appreciation for a place as a tourist, rather than blindly walking around and not taking the real time and energy to educate myself. I’m thankful for Caroline’s tour, because she helped shape my gaze as a tourist throughout the remainder of the trip! 

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Urry, "Vision and Photography," Tourist Gaze

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https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/statue-of-oscar-wilde

 

https://www.designdestinations.org/2010/05/oscar-wilde-statue-in-lush-green-corner-of-dublin-square/