Oscar Wilde: The Devoted Friend. Full Story, Summary, and Analysis
In Oscar Wilde’s short story “The Devoted Friend,” a bird tells a story about friendship to a water rat. In the story, a wealthy miller continually takes advantage of the generosity of his “friend” Hans, exploiting his kind nature without offering anything in return. While Hans works hard, helping the miller even to the detriment … Read more
Oscar Wilde: The Happy Prince
The Happy Prince is a story by Oscar Wilde, published in 1888 in the collection The Happy Prince and Other Tales. The story begins with the imposing statue of the Happy Prince, standing above the city, adorned with gold and precious stones. From his height, he observes the misery of its inhabitants and weeps for them. A little swallow, delayed in its migration, takes refuge under the statue and discovers its sadness. Moved, it decides to help the Prince in his desire to alleviate the suffering of those most in need, initiating a moving story of generosity and sacrifice.
Oscar Wilde: The Nightingale and The Rose
Synopsis Oscar Wilde’s The Nightingale and the Rose is a tale that explores the theme of love and sacrifice. The story follows a young student desperate to find a red rose to give to the woman he loves, believing that this will win her heart. However, there is no red rose in his garden. A … Read more
Oscar Wilde: The Selfish Giant
In Oscar Wilde’s 1888 short story The Selfish Giant, a giant returns home to find that children are using his garden as a playground and drives them out, building a wall to keep them out. Without the children, the garden is plunged into a perpetual winter, deprived of life and joy. One day, a mysterious child enters the garden. The giant, seeing their sadness, is moved and decides to tear down the wall to allow the children to return and with them, spring. The story is a reflection on selfishness, kindness and the redeeming power of love and childlike innocence.
Oscar Wilde: The Star-Child
The Star-Child is a fantastic tale by Oscar Wilde published in 1891 in the collection A House of Pomegranates. During a harsh winter, two woodcutters find a child abandoned in the forest, wrapped in a golden cloak and wearing an amber chain. Although one wants to leave him there, the other decides to take him home, where the boy grows into a young man of unusual beauty. However, his appearance does not reflect his character: the Star-child is vain and cruel; he despises others and harshly treats the poor and afflicted. The Star-Child’s arrogance and selfishness soon lead him to face harsh consequences.
Oscar Wilde: The Happy Prince. Summary and analysis
The Happy Prince is a story by Oscar Wilde, published in 1888 in the collection The Happy Prince and Other Tales. The story begins with a majestic statue of a prince covered in gold and precious stones that stands above a city. From on high, he observes the suffering of the poorest and weeps for them. A swallow, which stops to rest at his feet before leaving for Egypt, becomes his messenger. At the Prince’s request, the Swallow brings riches to the needy, beginning a story of compassion and sacrifice that will transform both characters.
