About the Author

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) was an Irish poet, playwright, and novelist, renowned for his wit and social commentary. He became one of the most popular playwrights of the late Victorian era, writing classics such as The Importance of Being Earnest and An Ideal Husband. Wilde’s short stories, including The Happy Prince, reflect his concern for human compassion, beauty, and morality. His works often blend fairy-tale elements with sharp criticism of social inequality and materialism.

Detailed Summary

High above the city stood the statue of the Happy Prince, adorned with gold and precious gems. Though he looked splendid, the statue wept after witnessing the widespread poverty and suffering in the city below. A little swallow, on his way to Egypt, decided to rest at the statue’s feet. Soon, the swallow discovered the Prince’s sorrow and agreed to help him relieve the misery of the poor by distributing his jewels and gold.

First, the swallow plucked out the ruby from the Prince’s sword and gave it to a seamstress struggling to provide for her sick child. Next, one sapphire from the Prince’s eye was delivered to a poor playwright who was freezing and unable to complete his work. Later, the Prince asked the swallow to take his other sapphire to a matchgirl who was crying after dropping her matches. Despite becoming blind, the Prince continued to give away his gold leaf by leaf, which the swallow carried to the poor, brightening their lives.

As winter arrived, the swallow refused to leave the Prince, even though he grew weaker in the cold. He eventually died at the Prince’s feet, and at that very moment, the statue’s lead heart broke. The townspeople, seeing the statue stripped of its grandeur and accompanied by a dead bird, declared it useless. They pulled it down and melted it, but the lead heart did not melt and was discarded on a dust heap alongside the swallow’s body.

In the heavenly realm, God asked an Angel to bring the two most precious things from the city. The Angel chose the swallow’s body and the broken heart of the Happy Prince. God praised the choice, declaring that the bird would sing forever in Paradise, and the Happy Prince would live eternally in His city of gold.

This poignant tale highlights the importance of compassion, sacrifice, and the eternal value of love and kindness over material wealth. The Prince’s transformation from a symbol of beauty to one of selfless service, alongside the swallow’s loyalty, conveys Wilde’s moral vision in a timeless way.

Themes & Message

• Compassion and Selflessness: True nobility lies in helping those in need.
• Sacrifice: The Prince and the swallow give up their beauty, wealth, and even life for others.
• Materialism vs. Spirituality: Outer beauty fades, but inner goodness is eternal.
• Social Inequality: The story criticizes the divide between the rich and poor in society.
• Eternal Values: God rewards true kindness and sacrifice above worldly appearance.

Character Sketches

• The Happy Prince: A compassionate and selfless figure who sacrifices his external beauty to relieve the suffering of his people. Represents moral strength and true nobility.
• The Swallow: Initially carefree and pleasure-loving, he evolves into a symbol of loyalty and sacrifice, staying with the Prince until death.
• The Poor Citizens: Represent the struggles of the marginalized, seamstresses, children, and workers, whose hardships highlight the social inequalities of society.
• The Town Councillors and Mayor: Satirical depictions of hypocrisy and shallow concern for appearances over values.

Important Question–Answers

Glossary

• Seamstress: A woman who earns a living by sewing clothes.
• Thimble: A protective cap worn on a finger while sewing.
• Garret: A small, dark attic room.
• Gilded: Covered with a thin layer of gold.
• Paradise: A place of eternal peace and happiness in heaven.

Source / Reference

The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde – from the CBSE Class 9 English textbook Moments.