Chapter 20, Escape from Reading Summary

Wilde's stay in prison lasts until his official release on May 19, 1897, and conditions improve for him as the months move forward toward his release. The strict disciplinarian, Colonel Issacson, the man who torments Wilde as often as he can, is reassigned. The more sympathetic Major J. O. Nelson takes Issacson's place, a man whom Wilde comes to like very much. Oscar is allowed to order books for the prison library, and he is given writing materials. He writes a lengthy letter to Douglas that is published later as De Profundis. Wilde's theme about life changes in prison. He once announced that the secret of life is art, but now he thinks that the secret of life is suffering.

Just before leaving prison, Wilde witnesses two disturbing incidents. In one, a former soldier goes insane after a flogging...