Oscar Wilde Fairy Tales
Oscar Wilde wrote three fairy tales that we read, and discussed
in class. These fairy tales include, “The Selfish Giant,” “The Happy Prince,”
and lastly, “The Nightingale and the Rose.” Each of these fairy tales are
intended for people aged 18-80. They are unique because they are not truly meant
for children, and reflect his Irish and religious background. Majority of Irish
people indulge with the Roman Catholic Religion, and each of his fairy tales
involve symbols that relate to this religion. Also all of these fairy tales
result in death at the end, but in a positive light because the death leads to
a deeper meaning.
“The Selfish Giant” is a story about an emotional giant
who lives in a beautiful garden. The children always want to play in his
garden, but he scares them away. The garden freezes over, with snow and
coldness due to no children playing there. One little boy appeared in the
garden trying to climb a tree, but he was too short. The giant helped the young
boy, into the tree and realized he felt love for the children. After this, the
giant allowed all the children in his garden, and the garden prospered. The
only missing was the little boy who the giant helped. Time went on, and the giant
waited for the little boy to return. One day, the giant saw the little boy. He
had marks on his hands and feet with nails. This is an allusion to Jesus
Christ. Since the Giant was saved, and learned his lesson to be kind and welcoming
to everyone (love thy neighbor) he died, and was welcomed into Paradise.
“The Happy Prince” is an allegorical story, representing
the social class system. The wealth of the upper classes people versus the poor
and struggling. In “The Happy Prince,” the statue of the prince has jewels from
the poor; the prince can now see the people in poverty instead of being hidden
from the reality. Soon, the statue loses all its wealth, but he is richer on
the inside for helping the needy. The townspeople remove the prince’s statue,
and discuss the next statue that will replace him, because material wealth is
more important to them than helping others, or being a good person on the
inside.
Lastly, “The Nightingale and the Rose,” tells the story
of a young man who has fallen in love with a girl who promises to dance with
him at a ball, if he brings her a red rose. The boy soon becomes upset because
he does not have a red rose. A nightingale overhears the boy, and decides to
help. The nightingale desperately searches for a red rose, but she is unsuccessful.
Eventually, she sacrifices her life, using her blood to stain a white rose red.
The girl who the boy loves changes her mind despite her promise, and goes to
another suitor. The boy leaves the ball, and goes home. The story ends with him
indulging in a book.
All of Oscar Wilde’s fairy tales are different from the
typical fairy tale story. These are not children stories, they include
religious symbolism, obtain symbols dealing with his culture, and include deep
morals for a reader to have to analyze and interpret. They all include a sad
death, and often a confusing ending, which must be interpreted to understand
the meaning Oscar Wilde is trying to say.
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