The Happy Prince and Other Tales by Oscar Wilde

Description

The Happy Prince and Other Tales is a book by Oscar Wilde, first published in 1888. This collection of five fairy tales blends poetic prose with poignant moral lessons, showcasing Wilde’s flair for storytelling and his deep concern for themes such as compassion, sacrifice, and social injustice. Though originally written for children, the tales possess a depth and subtlety that appeal equally to adult readers, drawing upon allegory and rich symbolism to critique the values of Victorian society. The title story, The Happy Prince, tells of a gilded statue who enlists the help of a swallow to relieve the suffering of the city's poor, revealing Wilde’s belief in the redemptive power of love and charity. Other tales such as The Nightingale and the Rose, The Selfish Giant, and The Remarkable Rocket explore vanity, devotion, and the consequences of self-interest with wit and melancholy beauty. These stories reflect Wilde’s Catholic-leaning aesthetic sensibility and his exposure to the Decadent and Aesthetic movements of the late 19th century, while also resonating with enduring Christian and moral themes.

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