The Happy Prince
1. About the Author – Oscar Wilde
- Born: 16 October 1854, Dublin, Ireland
- Died: 30 November 1900, Paris, France
- Famous for his wit, satire, and fairy tales.
- Notable works: The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Happy Prince and Other Tales.
- His stories often teach moral lessons about kindness and social justice.
2. Characters in the Story
1. The Happy Prince
- A golden statue standing high above the city.
- Previously a real prince who lived in luxury, unaware of suffering.
- Now, as a statue, he sees the misery of the poor and wants to help.
- Gives away his riches to help the needy.
- His heart breaks at the end when the Swallow dies.
2. The Swallow
- A small bird on its way to Egypt for the winter.
- Stops at the statue and agrees to help the Prince.
- Distributes gold, sapphires, and ruby to the poor.
- Stays too long in the cold and eventually dies.
3. The Poor Seamstress and Her Sick Son
- A poor woman struggling to care for her sick child.
- Given a ruby from the Prince’s sword to buy medicine and food.
4. The Young Playwright
- A struggling writer who is cold and hungry.
- Given one sapphire eye from the Prince to continue his work.
5. The Little Match Girl
- A poor girl selling matches in the cold.
- Given the second sapphire eye to prevent her from being beaten by her father.
6. The City Officials
- The Mayor and Councillors see the statue as useless when it loses its gold.
- Order its removal and melting.
- Do not understand the Prince’s true kindness.
7. God and the Angels
- At the end, God declares the Happy Prince’s heart and the Swallow’s soul as the most valuable things in the city.
- Grants them eternal happiness in heaven.
3. Themes of the Story
1. Compassion and Charity
- The Happy Prince gives away his wealth to help the poor.
- The Swallow sacrifices itself to serve others.
2. Sacrifice and Selflessness
- The Prince loses his beauty to help those in need.
- The Swallow stays back in the cold, eventually dying.
3. Social Inequality
- The story highlights the difference between the rich and the poor.
- The Prince was unaware of suffering while he was alive but sees it as a statue.
4. True Beauty and Worth
- The officials remove the statue when it loses its gold.
- True beauty lies in kindness, not appearance.
- God rewards the Prince and the Swallow for their goodness.
4. Important Symbols in the Story
1. The Happy Prince
- Symbol of love, kindness, and sacrifice.
2. The Swallow
- Represents loyalty, compassion, and devotion.
3. The Gold and Precious Stones
- Symbolize wealth and luxury, which are worthless if not used to help others.
4. The Broken Heart
- Represents pure love and kindness, which even death cannot destroy.
5. Key Incidents in the Story
1. The Happy Prince Sees the Suffering of the People
- From his high position, he sees the poor struggling.
- Feels guilty for not knowing their suffering when he was alive.
2. The Swallow Arrives at the Statue
- Stops to rest at the feet of the Happy Prince.
- Initially plans to leave but decides to help.
3. The Swallow Delivers the Prince’s Wealth
- First mission: Gives a ruby to the poor seamstress and her sick child.
- Second mission: Delivers a sapphire to the young writer.
- Third mission: Gives the second sapphire to the little match girl.
- Final mission: Removes the gold leaves to help the poor.
4. The Swallow’s Death
- The Swallow cannot survive the cold.
- Dies peacefully at the feet of the Happy Prince.
- The Prince’s heart breaks when the Swallow dies.
5. The City Officials Remove the Statue
- The statue looks dull and unattractive after losing its gold.
- Authorities melt it down, but the heart does not melt.
- They throw the heart into the garbage heap where the Swallow’s body lies.
6. God Rewards the Prince and the Swallow
- God asks for the two most valuable things in the city.
- The Angel brings the Happy Prince’s broken heart and the Swallow’s dead body.
- God rewards them with eternal happiness in heaven.
6. Message and Moral of the Story
- True happiness comes from helping others.
- Kindness and selflessness are more valuable than wealth and beauty.
- Love and sacrifice bring true fulfillment.
- Material things fade, but goodness is eternal.
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