THE HAPPY PRINCE by OSCAR WILDE

 

 1. Why do the courtiers call the prince ‘the Happy Prince’? Is he really happy? What does he see all around him? 

 The courtiers call the prince “the Happy Prince” because when he was alive, he always lived in luxury, surrounded by pleasures and never experienced sorrow. However, after his death, when his statue was placed high above the city, he was no longer truly happy. From that height, he could see all around him — the poverty, misery, hunger, and suffering of the people — which filled his heart with deep sadness. 

 2. Why does the Happy Prince send a ruby for the seamstress? What does the swallow do in the seamstress’ house? 

 The Happy Prince sends a ruby for the seamstress because she is poor and tired. She is working hard to embroider a gown for the Queen, but she has no money and her little boy is sick and feverish. She has nothing to give him except water from the river. The prince feels pity for her suffering and wants to help. The swallow, carrying out the prince’s request, flies into the seamstress’ house. He places the ruby on the table beside her thimble. Then, he gently fans the sick boy’s forehead with his wings, and the child feels cooler and falls into a peaceful sleep. 

 3. For whom does the prince send the sapphires and why? 

 The Happy Prince had two bright sapphire eyes, and he gave them away to help those in distress. He first sent a sapphire to a poor young playwright who was cold and hungry, unable to finish his play for the Director of the Theatre- the jewel enabled him to buy food and firewood. Later, the Prince sent his second sapphire to a poor matchgirl who had dropped her matches in the gutter and feared her father’s anger if she returned home empty-handed. In this way, the Prince sacrificed his precious eyes to relieve the suffering of the needy. 

 4. What does the swallow see when it was flying over the city? 

 When the Swallow was flying over the city, he saw a sharp contrast between wealth and poverty. He noticed the rich enjoying themselves in beautiful houses and halls, while the poor lived in dark lanes and shabby homes. He saw hungry children crying, beggars sitting at gates, and little boys shivering in the cold with no shoes. This sight of misery and suffering deeply saddened him.

 5. Why did the swallow not leave the prince and go to Egypt? 

 The Swallow did not leave the Prince and go to Egypt because he was deeply moved by the Prince’s kindness and compassion for the poor and suffering people. At first, he delayed his journey out of sympathy, but soon he grew attached to the Prince and loved him dearly. Even though the cold winter made it hard for him to survive, he chose to stay with the Prince and help carry out his wishes. Finally, out of love and loyalty, the Swallow sacrificed his life rather than leave the Prince alone. 

 6. What are the precious things mentioned in the story? Why are they precious? 

 The precious things mentioned in the story are the lead heart of the Happy Prince and the dead Swallow. They are called precious because, unlike gold, jewels, or riches, they symbolize true love, kindness, and sacrifice. The Prince gave away all his beauty and wealth to help the poor, and the Swallow gave up his life out of loyalty and compassion. Their selflessness made them more valuable than any material treasure, which is why God’s angels took them to His “city of gold” in heaven.