Chapter 22, The Leftover Years Summary

Toward the end of Oscar Wilde's life, he reunites with Douglas and attempts to live under the same roof in Naples. This causes Wilde to lose his allowance from Constance, along with generating enough friction that the two split apart again. Robert Ross works to help regain Oscar's allowance after the split, and he is successful for this and for Constance to include the money arrangement in her will. She dies on April 7, 1898. By this time, Wilde returns to Paris.

Writing becomes impossible for Wilde as his finances and health decline, but The Ballad of Reading Gaol is published on February 9, 1898. This turns out to be a very good seller, his last good run for a published work. Still, Wilde declines further, becoming homeless and a beggar for handouts from friends and acquaintances. His brother Willie dies...