For years, fans flocked to the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris, France sporting lipstick to place their mark on the grave of the man who wrote A Picture Of Dorian Gray, as well as many other works. The grave was cleaned off and now glass walls enclose it to keep fans at arm's distance. Wilde's grandson headed the movement to register the grave as a historic monument, so anyone caught defacing the grave will be charged. Wilde was arrested for homosexuality and spent two years in prison. When he was released, he travelled to France and died three years later in 1900. He died poor, but when his works became more popular and sold more copies, a burial plot was purchased at Pere Lachaise. Graffiti was left on the grave until it was renovated in the 1990's and for the last decade, only lipstick has been left.
I've been studying a bit of Oscar Wilde in my Lit class and really enjoy his work so far. I can definitely see why his fans would leave kisses on his grave, but I can also see why his descendants would like to keep the grave clean. I think that there should be a memorial near the grave so that fans can express their admiration for Wilde while still being respectful. Wilde was an amazing writer, but I certainly wouldn't put my lips on something that hundreds of other people have!
Here's a video to enjoy :)
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