The Ballad of Reading Gaol

In "The Ballad," Oscar Wilde reflects on the harrowing experience of witnessing a hanging during his imprisonment at Reading Gaol, exploring its profound impact on himself and his fellow inmates. Written after his release and first published in 1898 under the pseudonym C.3.3, the title represents the identification number assigned to him in prison. This poignant work delves into themes of suffering and the human condition amidst the grim realities of incarceration.