The Happy Prince and Other Tales

Main Ideas

• Sacrifice and selflessness: In «The Happy Prince», the statue of the prince and the swallow sacrifice themselves to help the poor and needy.
• Social critique: Oscar Wilde critiques social inequality and the hypocrisy of society, highlighting the contrast between wealth and poverty.
• Beauty and art: The tales emphasize the importance of beauty and art, which can inspire and bring joy despite suffering.
• Love and compassion: Many characters display deep compassion and love, underscoring the importance of these feelings in life.
• Irony and satire: The author uses irony and satire to expose human vices and flaws, such as vanity and selfishness.
• Moral lessons: Each story contains a moral lesson, encouraging readers to reflect on their actions and values.