Definition of The Little Prince

Is a novel short by French writer and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who died in a plane crash at age 44 during World War II. His best known work is undoubtedly "The Little Prince" which, precisely, was published a year before his death. Author. It is a novel written in a very simple style, with direct dialogues, abundant poetic features, and loaded with symbolism.

This novel, considered by some to be a story child, is a classic of the literature universal. It has been translated into more than 180 languages ​​and has been brought to the big screen on several occasions.

The story is told of an aviator who has an accident in the middle of the desert and has to repair his plane to continue his journey

Unexpectedly, the aviator meets a child (the little prince) who comes from a strange planet and a close friendship quickly emerges between them. The child is on Earth because he needs to reflect on some issues that concern him, such as his relationship with a flower with which he cannot live in harmony.

Symbolic elements

Each element or character of "The Little Prince" has a value symbolic and an associated message. The child represents purity and naivety and, at the same time, the search for authentic wisdom in the human being. The aviator is an adult who would like to regain his inner child. For some scholars, the character of the little prince represents what we would like to be and the aviator symbolizes what we really are. In the plot there are other protagonists and elements.

- The King represents the ambition for power.

- The drinker symbolizes the false avoidance of pleasure.

- The vain is a sample of the personal isolation of the human being.

- The lamplighter is an individual who self-destructs by routine and who expresses the inner struggle between duty and Liberty individual.

- The geographer symbolizes the wise man who closes in on himself.

- The fox is a character that helps the little prince to know reality.

- The flower is simply love.

Other elements also have a symbolic value, such as the box, the lamb or the baobabs.

What can we learn from this novel?

One could say that "The Little Prince" is a manifesto about human values. Universal ideas and values ​​are addressed: solidarity, the fellowship, goodness and the search for true inner knowledge.

In short, it is a reflection on the human condition and happiness.

Photos: Fotolia - marvalens / zenina

Themes in The Little Prince