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 Fisherman and His Soul
“The Fisherman and His Soul” is a short story by Oscar Wilde, published in 1891 in the book A House of Pomegranates. It tells the story of a young fisherman who one day catches a mermaid in his nets. Fascinated by her beauty and enchanting voice, he agrees to set her free on the condition that, whenever he calls her, she will return to sing for him. As time goes by, the fisherman falls deeply in love and becomes willing to make any sacrifice to live with her in the sea — even to give up his own soul.
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
“The Nightingale and the Rose” is a short story by Oscar Wilde, published in 1888 as part of the collection The Happy Prince and Other Tales. A young student is heartbroken because he cannot find a red rose to win the girl he loves, who has promised to dance with him only if he brings her one. A nightingale, listening to his sorrow from a tree, decides to help and sets out in search of that single flower. Moved by the ideal of true love, the bird sees in the young man the embodiment of a genuine lover.
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.
