In the title story, the statue of a prince who had been sheltered in luxury while he lived, could now view from his pedestal the poverty and suffering in his city, and so he convinced a swallow to carry each of the statue’s jewels to someone in need.

Wilde’s stories, in the tradition of literary fairy tales such as those of Hans Christian Andersen, depict poverty, suffering, cruelty and arrogance, with sacrifice or martyrdom occurring more than once. The stories have also been adapted for stage performances including, as I discovered recently, a ballet which will be performed in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2018. Oscar Wilde’s book for children, The Happy Prince and Other Tales, published in 1888, has attracted many artists and printers over the years. The Happy Prince is the first in a collection of five short stories for children The Selfish Giant, The Nightingale and the Rose, The Devoted Friend, The Remarkable Rocket.By Aedín Ní Bhróithe Clements, Irish Studies Librarian A film called The Happy Prince was produced as a biographical drama based on Wilde’s life (2018). Wilde’s story has also inspired songs, musicals and operettas (2012, 2015, 2016, 20). In 2012 it was adapted for narrator, chorus and orchestra and premiered in Ireland. It formed the basis of a rock opera performed by a New Zealand group (1969, The Le De Das) and produced as an animated film (1974). It has been adapted for radio (1936, 1944), for the stage (1941, Orson Wells) and as an audio recording with Bing Crosby as the prince (1946). However, there is an element of martyrdom as the Swallow dies because he allows the prince to put his needs above that of Swallow who should be warm and nesting in Egypt. It also covers the exploitation of power, hypocrisy and, spiritual growth through sacrifice. It has three major themes, 1) that outward beauty counts for little 2) that the redemptive power of love and of sacrifice are two saving graces and, 3) it illustrates the huge gap between rich and poor. Wilde’s parents collected Irish folklore and that, along with supporting a young family may have influenced Wilde’s decision to write stories to appeal to a wider audience.

Whilst depicting the poverty of Victorian England it contains all the elements of a classic fairy tale. One night a Swallow nests at his feet and the prince asks it to stay and to help the him help the poor but when the Swallow dies of cold, the heart of the happy prince breaks. From this height, he can see all the misery in the city.

When he dies his statue is set on a tall column. A fairy tale about a young Prince who lives and dies in a Palace where sadness is not allowed to enter.

The happy prince 1888