An Analysis of the Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilder
——新生儿身份证The Happy Prince
Oscar Wilder is a prolific writer who has multiple identities that he is not only a novelist but also a poet as well as a playwright. He gained a considerable reputation as he made great contribution to the world literature by inheriting and innovate aesthetics viewpoint in his literary works. Bad on his creation, he is regarded as the milestone in aestheticism. Though his novel and plays, like The Picture of Dorian Gray and Salomé, have always been analyzed and counted as typical examples for his view on aestheticism and art by literary critics, his fairy tales is more widely spread. His fairy tales are popular with both children and adults. The story can be simple or profound which depends on understandings of readers. One of his most famous fairy tales is The Happy Prince. Taking it as an example, following are four aspects I analyzed his works of fairy tales.
I. The Content and The Plot
The content of his fairy is rich and creative while the plot is dramatic and fascinating. wait的过去式The Happy Prince tells a story that in a late autumn a swallow meets the ornate statue of the "Happy Prince", who lived a pleasant life when he was alive, but now he es the miry and sorrow of ordinary people. The statue asks the swallow to help tho poor people with precious materials he is built with. At last, the swallow dies becau of chillness and the statue is pulled of as he is worthless.
Wilder paves the way abundantly with rich backgrounds to highlight the figure of the swallow and the prince. It also lay a foundation for the plot development.
At the beginning, when the swallow appear, Wilder does not instantly step to the meeting with the Prince, instead, he narrates an experience which gives reads a primary picture of this bird. It is said that the Swallow have ever fallen love with the most attractive Reed, however, the Reed made no respon to his love. Pitiful and gloomy, he left alone. If the whole story is a piece of music, this experience is the prelude. It gives a human emotion to the swallow which reflects that the Swallow is loving and emotional. He never conceal
his love and brave to express it to the Reed though he is refud. Knowing this, we may realize why he agrees to be mesnger of the Prince.
In terms of the Prince, the writer lets himlf tell readers his past life which is comfortable and pleasant while now being a statue he es the real life of poor people. The sharp contrast highlight the strong sympathy of the Prince for his people which is described in the next paragraphs. We es that the Prince is kind and has a delicate heart that have a insight into society.
除锈用什么方法最好The two parts play a role of the basis of the story which makes the plot develop more naturally not abruptly. Except for that, the plot of the fairy is never insipid as the turning point always touch a string in one’高中摘抄素材s heart. It ems like a sheer wonderment that you may never imagine.
For example, the Swallow helps the Prince four times in total. Each time when the Swallow comes back to e the Prince and states that he wants to leave for Egypt, readers think that he should go becau of the coming winter, however, each time he is p
ersuaded to stay by the Prince. That way of writing makes readers keep curious and focus on the content. Besides, the ending of the story is surprising and worth thinking. First it is sad to e that both the Prince and the Swallow dies tragically. While most of readers think it is the end and feel pitiful for them, the writer declares it is not the end by the appearance of God who grant the heart of the Prince and the Swallow are the most precious things in the city. In other words, it is an acknowledge of the value of love and kindness. Actually, the author intend to express a positive attitude to readers that showing love and kindness is always admiring.
II. The Greatness of the Language
描写夏的诗句The language is accurate,elaborate, exquisite and poetic, which reflects the beauty of art. In this story, the detailed description of scenery is beautiful which plunge readers into a wonderful picture. For example, “ He is wrapped in yellow linen, and embalmed with spices. Round his neck is a chain of pale green jade, and his hands are like withered leaves”. That is the Swallow’s description of the great King in the tomb in Egypt where he
will live in during the cold winter. The author obrves very meticulously and grasp main characters. In that ntence, there are three colors: yellow, pale, and green which give readers an impression that the King is noble but archaic. It also forms a colorful picture which makes the story more lively. Besides, the author us simile: he compares the hands of the mummy to withered leaves. It is appropriate and imaginable. When we we think about mummies, it is ancient and stiff which is very similar with withered leaves that is also dry and wrinkled. There are enormous examples like this which make the story more vivid and interesting not just narrating.
Another typical example which reflects the writer’s artistic talent on language is “ There is no Mystery so great as Miry.” In this ntence, “Mystery” and “里宾特洛甫Miry” forms an alliteration as well as an embraced rhyme. Using two types of rhymes, Wilder’s mastering of the language has reached a pinnacle point. Though this simple ntence has only 8 words but it express clearly and concily which gives readers a deep impression. It is a ries of musical words that has a great n of rhythm. Furthermore, it is also the core expression of the host the Prince that he cares much about his people and feels sad 莜面怎么做
about the miry in their lives. Nothing can be more important than that.
III. The Backgrounds and the Theme
In the story, we can infer that the environment of the city relates to the era where Wilder lives. It is a mirror and reference of reality to some extent. For example,“ It is a ridiculous attachment. She has no money, and far too many relations.” We can know that his fellows does not approve the Swallow’s pursuit of the Reed but the reason is a little bit strange. It is about money and benefits. The Swallow can obtain nothing but take care of the Reed and get a burden from her relations. In other swallow’s eyes, the Swallow’s love is blind and uless. Actually, love should be a simple matter between two persons but now it becomes a treat business that calculates interests. It reflects the commercialism and materialism in the Victoria era. The development of economic gives people a value of wealth. Moreover, a rious problem is the wide gap between the rich and the poor. In the story, a poor old woman amstress stays up late to embroider passion- flowers on a satin gown for a maid of the Queen and has no time and money to take care of his ill bab
y, however, in another place, the maid is watching the stars in sky and complaining about the laziness of the amstress. It is also a reference of reality. There are two completely different world inside and outside palace. Poor people suffers from mirable life while nobles enjoy pleasant life. As the Prince says, “it is a palace of Sans-Souci where sorrow is not allowed. 百度码“Through the contrast, the author actually express his criticize on this unfair phenomenon and sympathy for poor people. What the Prince does proves that view.
