The Happy Prince - Moments - Class 9 - CBSE English

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish playwright, poet, and author known for his sharp wit, flamboyant style, and biting social commentary. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Wilde attended Trinity College, Dublin, and later Magdalen College, Oxford, where he excelled in academics and creative pursuits. He was heavily influenced by the Aesthetic Movement, which emphasized art for art's sake and the pursuit of beauty.

Wilde's works, spanning various genres, are renowned for their satire, humour, and often controversial themes. Some of his most famous works include the novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and the plays "The Importance of Being Earnest" and "An Ideal Husband." Wilde also wrote numerous essays, short stories, and poems, including "The Ballad of Reading Gaol" and children's stories like "The Happy Prince and Other Tales."

Oscar Wilde's career reached its zenith in the 1890s. His personal life took a tragic turn after a highly publicized trial and conviction for gross indecency due to his homosexuality. He was sentenced to two years of hard labour, which greatly affected his health. After his release from prison, Wilde lived in exile, mainly in France, under the pseudonym Sebastian Melmoth.

Despite his hardships, Wilde's literary legacy endures, and he remains a celebrated figure in literary history. His work continues to captivate readers with its clever wordplay, engaging characters, and astute observations on society and human nature.

"The Happy Prince" is a poignant tale that explores themes of empathy, compassion, and the true value of beauty. The story begins with a gilded statue of a prince adorned with jewels and situated atop a tall column. One night, a swallow, delayed in its journey to Egypt, seeks shelter by the statue and discovers that the prince is weeping. The prince explains that, when he was alive, he was unaware of the suffering outside his palace walls. Now, as a statue, he can see the misery and poverty that plague his city, and his heart of lead is heavy with sadness.

Wishing to help, the prince enlists the assistance of the swallow, who agrees to deliver the ruby from the prince's sword hilt to a poor seamstress with a sick child. Touched by the prince's compassion, the swallow decides to stay with the prince, postponing its journey to Egypt. The prince then sends the swallow on more errands to help those in need, sacrificing the sapphire eyes and gold that once adorned his body. As a result, the prince becomes shabby and grey, but his heart grows richer in kindness and empathy.

As winter approaches, the swallow realizes that it will not survive the cold and chooses to stay with the prince, sharing stories of the world beyond the city. The prince asks the swallow to observe the city one last time and report back. The swallow returns with tales of wealth and opulence alongside poverty and starvation. The prince instructs the swallow to remove the remaining gold from his body and distribute it among the poor, bringing a measure of comfort and happiness to the less fortunate.

Despite the prince's sacrifices and the swallow's loyalty, the harsh winter eventually claims the swallow's life. The prince's heart breaks, symbolizing the pain he feels for the suffering he has witnessed. When the city authorities see the now-shabby statue, they deem it no longer beautiful or useful and have it melted down. However, the prince's broken lead heart remains unaltered by the furnace and is discarded on a dust-heap alongside the dead swallow.

In the story's conclusion, God acknowledges the true value of the prince's empathy and the swallow's devotion, choosing their leaden heart and lifeless body as the two most precious things in the city. God then welcomes them into paradise, where the swallow sings eternally, and the prince praises God's glory. The tale highlights the importance of looking beyond superficial beauty and material wealth, emphasizing the significance of empathy, compassion, and selfless actions in creating a truly meaningful existence.

Compassion and Empathy:

The Happy Prince showcases compassion and empathy through the actions of the statue and the swallow. The prince, once ignorant of the suffering in his city, is now deeply moved by the plight of his people. The swallow, initially reluctant to help, eventually becomes a dedicated partner in alleviating the suffering of others.

Sacrifice and Selflessness:

Both the Happy Prince and the swallow make great personal sacrifices to help the less fortunate. The prince gives away his precious gems and gold,...

"When I was alive and had a human heart," answered the statue, "I did not know what tears were, for I lived in the Palace of Sans-Souci, where sorrow is not allowed to enter."

This line highlights the Happy Prince's transformation from a privileged ruler who was ignorant of his people's suffering to a compassionate and empathetic statue. It underscores the importance of recognizing the struggles of others and taking action to alleviate their pain.

"Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow," said the Prince, "will you not stay with me one night longer?"

This quote demonstrates ...

1. Sans-Souci (noun) - A French term meaning "without care" or "carefree." In the context of the story, it refers to the palace where the Happy Prince lived, a place free of sorrow.
   Meaning: A place without worries or troubles.
2. Courtiers (noun) - People who attend a royal court as companions or advisers to the monarch.
   Meaning: Members of a royal ...