A commentary on Oscar Wilde's 'The Happy Prince.'

A Commentary on Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Happy Prince.’

Recently I had the privilege of reading Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Happy Prince’ a classic short story. After finishing the story I had mixed feelings. For the past few days, whatever I did, wherever I went, the story was hovering around in my memory. I have instantaneously become an ardent admirer of Oscar Wilde for the following reasons:-

1)Oscar Wilde’s ability to hold my rapt attention throughout the story and creating an indelible impression in me.

2) His penchant for narration of the story that was unique and classic.

3) His ability to infuse a number of messages in the story, but not openly.

4) His sense of humor and satire.

5) His ability to eschew from the cultural influences of his country and stand out as a classic writer of all times.

6) His fine sense of imagination.

and many more. The short story revolves around a golden statue called ‘The Happy Prince’ studded with precious stones in the eyes. Another important character in the short story was a bird namely ‘Swallow’.

The bird ‘Swallow’ was planning to go to Egypt. On the way it took asylum between the legs of the ‘The Happy Prince’. But Swallow was shocked to see ‘the Happy Prince’was shedding tears. The prince was not happy even though he had precious stones and his body was made of gold. He was very much concerned what was happening around him: 1)The sufferings of a writer, 2)Sufferings of a poor girl not able to pay her tuition fees and 3 )The sufferings of the poor people who could not afford to eat and live.The Happy Prince requested and ordered ‘Swallow’ to take his precious stones to help the poor and needy.He also ordered ‘swallow’ to take all the gold from his body to help the suffering poor people. Now ‘The Happy Prince’ was really happy; but having lost all his gold and precious stones, his body was merely made of lead, a less valuable metal. He had lost his vision also having lost his precious stones from his eyes.Now, the bird ‘Swallow’ took pity on him, gave up his idea of going to Egypt, decided to stay with the ‘Happy Prince’ who had lost his vision also.But having exposed to the chilly weather, ‘Swallow’fell ill and she was about to die.Having lost his vision, the ‘Happy Prince’ asked her to go to Egypt. But Swallow replied that she was going to the ‘house of death’; after all death was the brother of sleep.

The next day morning, the bird Swallow was lying dead on the ground; ‘the Happy Prince’was a mere statue of lead without his precious stones and looked desolate.

The councilors noted down the condition of the Happy Prince. They decided to replace the Happy Prince with their own statue.

But God honored the Happy Prince and Swallow in a befitting manner for their selfless service.

This story narrated in a conversational style was fantastic. On the one hand it showed the author’s genuine concern for the hapless poor people. The story also had a number of messages in it but they were hidden and latent. On the other hand it also questioned the necessity of having a golden statue studded with precious stones. It also exposed the vested interests or the selfish attitude of the authorities concerned (councilors).Above all the story pointed out the inequalities and sufferings of the poor people in the society. The finest aspect of the story was it applied to all countries and all ages.

To any person who aspire to become a short story writer, ‘The Happy Prince’ is a must read.