Wilde takes a year in the US to teach Anerican's about the importance of art and literature. During his time, he taught in 140 lectures and was even able to meet his greatest idol, Walt Whitman, which he later expressed to him that "There is no one in this wide great world of America whom I love and honor so much." During his time in New York he writes his first play, Vera, which doesn't gain much traction.
After finishing this tour, he headed back to London where he continued to lecture throughout England and Ireland. During his time lecturing close to home, he works on his next failing work, The Duchess of Padua. Despite multiple failed attempts as a playwright, he was able to become regonized as an important part of the aesthetic movement for art and literature.