The Decay of Lying

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The essay explores the decline of lying as an art form and its detrimental impact on modern literature, emphasizing Wilde's preference for Romanticism over Realism. Through a dialogue between characters Vivian and Cyril, Wilde argues that art should prioritize beauty and imagination rather than factual representation. He asserts that life imitates art more than the reverse and critiques the societal obsession with realism. The conversation culminates in a reflection on the role of nature and art, suggesting that art’s true purpose is to express itself rather than mirror reality.