Despite the positive aspects of our complex real world, we tend to overlook its negative side. However, we can explore this negative aspect through reading fairy tales and fables, which are enjoyable short narratives with profound meanings that teach moral lessons. These stories were originally passed down orally and were derived from old folk tales. Fables specifically feature animals, plants, and other creatures behaving like humans in real-life scenarios.
Fairy tales, which typically target children and encompass elements of magic and fantasy, have a significant societal function as they facilitate comprehension of interpersonal conflicts. Personally, I have encountered several fairy tales during my time in the United States, one such example being Oscar Wilde’s “The Happy Prince.” Surprisingly, this particular tale resonated with aspects of my own life experience. From my perspective, I closely identify with the character of “The Happy Prince.” During my childhood, bliss permeated my existence, yet upon venturing into society, the hideousness and suffering prevalent within became evident.
Oscar Wilde employs non-human creatures to mimic human conduct and incorporates his personal principles and beliefs into his narratives, linking them with customary fairy tales and fables. This study will investigate two of Wilde’s stories, specifically “The Happy Prince” and “The Nightingale and the Rose,” as they adeptly expose the negative elements of society, emphasizing social issues and examining various perspectives on love. The transition from youth to maturity often leaves adolescents disheartened as they acknowledge the injustice in the world and the prevalence of conflicts.
During our youth, we had optimistic discussions about the future, filled with ambitions and hopes. Nevertheless, the world is imperfect, and there are always unknown aspects that can only be comprehended through personal experience. The characters in both stories, namely the Happy Prince and the young Student, illustrate these struggles faced by adolescents. In the words of the Happy Prince himself: “When I was alive and possessed a human heart… I resided in a palace… where sorrow is prohibited from entering… And now that I am deceased, they have placed me here so high up that I can observe all the ugliness and suffering within my city.”
The Happy Prince and the young Student both encounter the harsh realities of life, where they witness the stark contrast in wealth between the rich and the poor. Instead of providing aid to those in need, the wealthy prioritize fame and fortune. Similarly, in another story, the young Student’s understanding of love changes when a girl rejects his affection because she values jewels more than a simple rose. The Happy Prince and individuals similar to him willingly make sacrifices for others, whereas others like the young Student become disheartened by the complexities of reality.
The social issue at hand is the lack of individuals willing to stand out and assist the underprivileged. These individuals do not receive sufficient support, which perpetuates the problem of unequal wealth distribution. Moreover, sacrificing oneself for society can sometimes lead to death and devastation for the person making the sacrifice. Their efforts may ultimately prove futile. However, true virtue lies in sacrificing without expecting anything in return. The Happy Prince, for instance, proclaimed, “‘I am covered with fine gold.”
You must remove it, leaf by leaf, and give it to my poor; the living always believe that gold can bring them happiness'”. He gives up everything for the poor, but eventually the councillors bring him down when his appearance becomes so unkempt that he is no longer useful. Additionally, the Swallow also dies from the cold. In contrast, the nightingale sacrifices his life for a red rose, solely desiring for the student to become a genuine lover. However, the red rose that he traded his life for is eventually crushed by a cart-wheel. And the student does not become a true lover; he even perceives love as impractical.
The two narratives suggest that beauty is consistently linked to wealth and expensive possessions, while qualities such as love, sacrifice, and selflessness go unnoticed. The stories reveal the darker aspects of society, emphasizing the need to sacrifice for others and appreciate their inner beauty. Additionally, the characters in both tales have diverse perspectives on love, highlighting the misconception surrounding its true meaning.
Previously, the Swallow was in love with a Reed, but he later abandoned her because he believed that his partner should also enjoy traveling. The Reed, however, was deeply attached to her home and refused to leave. This example demonstrates a selfish perspective on love, as the Swallow was unwilling to make any sacrifices for the Reed despite his feelings for her. However, after encountering the statue of the Happy Prince, the Swallow undergoes a transformation and ultimately becomes a genuine lover.
The true lovers in both stories, the Happy Prince and the Nightingale, exhibit sacrificial acts. In the case of the Happy Prince, he allows the Swallow to remove his golden leaves, causing him to lose his beauty and appear dull and grey. This sacrifice also leads him to become blind and shabby. On the other hand, the Nightingale exclaims that “Death is a great price to pay for a red rose,” as he sacrifices his life for love. Both characters willingly give up something valuable without expecting anything in return. These two stories convey the message that sacrifice is the true essence of love.
After a comparison of Oscar Wilde’s two stories, it becomes evident that the world does not align entirely with our expectations. In reality, conflicts abound. In summary, “The Happy Prince” and “The Nightingale and the Rose” center around themes of love, care, sacrifice, and more. These stories embody the virtues that human beings should possess, although not all individuals exhibit them. If placed in these narratives, I would choose to embody either The Happy Prince or the Nightingale, as they exemplify the virtues that all human beings should possess.
Works Cited
Source: Wilde, Oscar. The Happy Prince. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jun 2012.
Wilde, Oscar. The Nightingale and the Rose. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jun 2012.
