Page 6 - Oscar Wilde

This story is a social saKre that humourously exposes the cultural and social snobbery of the BriKsh aristocracy. The theme of moral conscience and sense of duty are central to Lord Savile’s crime. In “Lord Arthur Savile's Crime,” Arthur has no moral conscience, and the fun of the story derives largely from this fact. When he realizes that he has to commit a murder, he calmly goes about looking for a vicKm because he has a sense of duty. The story can also be seen as a parody of the classic detecKon story: instead of invesKgaKng a crime, the main character, Lord Savile carefully plans murder and eventually he will be rewarded for his crime.
My name is Smith, Mr. Robert Smith, and I want you to supply me with an explosive clock.’
.... A brilliant idea flashed across him. ... In a moment he had seized Mr. Podgers by the legs, and flung him into the Thames.