Oscar Wilde's The Happy Prince

The Happy Prince, this title given by the villagers, his people as he would fill joy in everyone's heart with just a glance of his golden state. As his body was laced with gold, his eyes sparked a sapphire blue, and his sword adorn with gems as if it were a sacred sword to be won by a knight.

However, the irony I have learned from this story, is to never judge a book by its' cover, or never judge from the looks of a golden statue as we never know what burden it carries in its mind. That being said, the prince was not 'Happy' at all. Rather the opposite. As his people were not fortunate and lived in poverty. Every day they lived in struggle in the gaze of the happy prince.

One day, a swallow came to seek a place to rest under the happy prince, and there the statue's tears fell, drenching the swallow. And as the small body of this swallow, it posessed a kind heart, it helped soothe the worries of the statue. Every villager the prince gazed upon; he wanted to help them with gifting the gems and gold that was glued to his body. And with the swallow's help, the villagers were all happy. Each and every gold and gems were stripped away from the prince. The more was stripped away, the happier he was. 

Soon, he was as if bare, only his grey metal statue appeared. He was no longer considered 'Happy' to the villagers.  And thus was burned and melted down. In my opinion, this was a pretty low thinking thing to do. If only the villagers were to repolish, and adorn gems onto the prince again, he would be looking 'Happy' and would be feeling what he appeared to others too, 'Happy'.

And thus, after reading, and watching the story, there are a few questions I would like to share my answers to.

Watch "The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde. After watching, take a moment to reflect on the story's themes and messages. Consider the following questions: 

• What message do you think the author is trying to convey? 

I believe the author wants the readers to feel more grateful with our life and be more aware on what people do for us. Or is it to make us understand the phrase 'No good deeds go unpunished' where most kind people who help others, won't be rewarded most of the time by others.

• How does the story make you feel? 

This story gave me mixed feelings as I said in the beginning, as a grown adult, I understand that a person should do good things for others and be helpful. But this story, shows that even if you give all of you to others, no matter how many you helped or how much you helped someone, there is no guarantee that you will be rewarded or others being grateful for what you do. This story really opposes the saying 'You give what you get'. However, the kindness of the swallow makes it bittersweet for me, and it really implants the thought of being a kind person is a joyful thing too. So as a conclusion, this story makes my feelings mixed, should I be happy or sad?

• Which character do you relate to the most, and why? 

I relate to the happy prince. Personally, I am someone who would help someone who needs money even if my shaken piggy bank didn't make a sound. I find the joy in seeing others happy just like the statue did. Even though, I understand the feeling of being left for dead, of taken for granted even if you gave everything. I just hope the prince didn't regret in helping the villagers, as I have too with everyone I have helped in life, since regret is one of the heaviest feelings to carry.

• What do you think is the significance of the ending?

Since this was a story for kids, it does help make kids understand that not everyone you help will lend you a hand. It teaches that there are ungrateful people in the world and helps introduce this feeling to others and children in a simpler way. The ending shows that happiness isn't what people give or do for you, but rather what you choose to do, such as the happy prince who found happiness in helping people.

As an end to this post, I hope everyone reading will try to find the joy in lending a helpful hand to others and try not to hope for a reward in return.

From, Lispiy.