Review of the Novella: The Little Prince

Written by a pioneering French writer, poet, journalist, and aviator, “The Little Prince” is the most translated novel in the French language. It is a beautifully created work of literature that continues to captivate readers of all ages.

Introduction

The novella contains insightful lessons on finding meaning in life, connecting with others, losing innocence, and seeing with the heart.  Therefore, the themes of loneliness, friendship, melancholy, and love are central to the narrative.

Lessons Learned

The story begins in the Sahara Desert, where a pilot has crash-landed his plane. As he struggles to repair his aircraft and survive in the harsh desert conditions, he is visited by a mysterious young boy who appears out of nowhere. This boy is the Little Prince from a tiny planet, precisely  the asteroid.

As the pilot works on his plane, the Little Prince tells him about his life on asteriod. He describes how he lived alone on the asteroid, tending to a special rose that grew there. The rose becomes the Little Prince’s dearest companion, and he lavishes care and attention on her. However, he also becomes frustrated with her vanity and demanding nature.

Loss of Innocence

Feeling lonely and misunderstood, the Little Prince decides to explore other asteroids. He visits several tiny planets, each with a single inhabitant who embodies various human flaws. For instance, he encounters a king who rules over nothing but expects everyone to obey him, a vain man who craves constant admiration, a drunkard who drinks to forget his shame, a lamplighter who tirelessly lights and extinguishes a lamp on a tiny planet with a very short day, and a geographer who collects information about distant places but never explores them.

Throughout these encounters, the Little Prince becomes increasingly disillusioned with the adults he meets. Their behavior seems absurd and futile to him. He longs for deeper connections and meaningful conversations.

“One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye

Upon his arrival on Earth, the Little Prince meets the pilot while continuing his cosmic voyage. Meeting this otherworldly child at first surprises the pilot, who has been stranded in the desert. The Little Prince shares his experiences and offers guidance on life, love, and the character of people. One of the central lessons the Little Prince teaches the pilot is the idea that “One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” He tells the pilot about his love for the rose on asteroid and how, upon arriving on Earth, he discovered countless similar roses. This revelation deepens his appreciation for the uniqueness and depth of his love for his own rose.

Consequently, the Little Prince indicates a deep wish to go back to the asteriod and be with his cherished rose. A snake he meets offers him a life-threating bite that will take him home. Giving up all to be with his rose again, the Little Prince voluntarily accepts this offer.

Melancholy:

Lastly, after losing his newfound friend, the pilot finds himself abandoned in the desert and is overcome with sadness. After successfully repairing his aircraft, he gets ready to depart the desert.  He takes the lessons and memories of the Little Prince with him forever.

Conclusion:

In sum, the novella’s moving narrative explores important themes such as the value of personal ties, the loss of innocence, and the search for purpose in life. It invites readers to see the world through a child’s eyes and to find beauty in the straightforward qualities of friendship and love.