"America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between"

This quote by Oscar Wilde is a commentary on the quick development of the United States. Wilde suggests that America avoided over the traditional stages of development, such as civilization, and went directly from barbarism to decadence. This suggests that America had the ability to attain a level of wealth and luxury without needing to go through the traditional steps of advancement. This could be viewed as a criticism of the American way of life, as Wilde suggests that the nation has ended up being too focused on material wealth and luxury, instead of establishing a more significant and lasting culture. It could likewise be seen as a criticism of the American federal government, as Wilde suggests that the nation has not taken the time to establish a strong and lasting political system. Ultimately, this quote is a commentary on the fast advancement of the United States and the prospective effects of this advancement.