1. Oscar Wilde's biography.

2. The plot.

3. The main characters.

4. Time, place & setting.

5. Themes.

6. Conclusion.

7. Personal comment.

Oscar Wilde biography:

Oscar Wilde, born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, was a renowned Irish playwright, poet, and novelist known for his wit and flamboyant style. He studied at Trinity College, Dublin, and Magdalen College, Oxford. Wilde gained fame in the 1880s with works like The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895). His life was marked by controversy due to his relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas, leading to his imprisonment in 1895. After serving two years, he went into exile in France, where he wrote The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898). He died in Paris on November 30, 1900.

The plot:

In a city, a golden statue of the Happy Prince stands high above, appearing joyful but secretly saddened by the suffering of the poor. One day, a swallow resting at his feet hears the Prince’s plea to help those in need. The Prince asks the swallow to deliver his precious jewels—rubies, sapphires, and gold leaf—to the poor. Though hesitant at first, the swallow agrees and begins distributing the treasures. As they work together, the swallow grows fond of the Prince, who sacrifices his own beauty, becoming dull and stripped of his treasures to help others. The swallow decides to stay with him through the cold winter. Ultimately, the Prince is completely depleted, and the swallow dies at his feet. Their souls rise to heaven, finding eternal peace. The story conveys deep themes of selflessness, compassion, and the importance of inner beauty over outward appearances.

The main characters:

The Happy Prince: A golden statue who observes the suffering of the people in his city and wishes to help them.

The Swallow: A migratory bird who helps the Happy Prince by delivering his treasures to those in need.

Time, place & setting:

The Happy Prince is set in a nameless European city, likely inspired by Victorian England, during the late 19th century. The story contrasts the view from the Happy Prince's golden statue, high above the city, with the grim reality of the streets below. The Prince, once a living royal, now witnesses the poverty and suffering of the people he never knew in life. The city is divided between the wealthy, living in luxury, and the poor, struggling to survive. A swallow, on its way to Egypt, becomes the Prince’s messenger, helping distribute his riches to those in need.