Everyone has books that he reads several times. Works that influence the train of thought and perception of life. These include the work of Antoine de Saint-Exupery "The Little Prince". A children's fairy tale translated into more than 180 languages ​​is already a textbook work that is studied in most educational institutions in the world. Favorite book not only for children, but also for adults - it is so soulful, vital and at the same time simple.
The Little Prince: Highlights
The French writer Exupery completed work on the work in a very difficult time - in 1943. In the midst of World War II, the "Little Prince" appeared. A fairy tale book, a parable book, a prediction book - all definitions are unable to fit in the philosophical, socio-cultural and psychological meaning of the work. “We are responsible for those we tamed” - a legendary phrase familiar to everyone. And there are many more in this book.
27 fragments, colorful author’s illustrations of the author and the life of a little boy in the big world - this is what “The Little Prince” consists of. The theme is quite simple, but filled with great philosophical significance. What is good? Who is a man How to live in harmony with yourself and the world around you?
The story is built around the stories of an unusual boy - an alien from the asteroid B-612. He was met by a wrecked pilot in the desert, who had previously dreamed of becoming an artist, but under the pressure of the demands of an “adult” life changed his mind. The Little Prince talks about his life on his home planet, about his meetings with the Rose flower, about traveling to nearby asteroids and meeting with various adults who inhabited her: the King, the Drunkard, the Ambitious, the Lantern, the Geographer and the Business Man. Each of these characters shows all the vices that the adult world is endowed with: lust for power, addiction, vanity, pride and others. The extreme point of the Prince’s travels was the Earth, where he met his future friend Fox. This character tells the boy about real truths that no one should forget. Aphorisms of the Fox "The Little Prince" everyone knows, because this is a real guide to wisdom.
Prince - who is he?
The little prince is the personification of a child who lives in every adult. This is a direct, lively, creative and not indifferent soul, which is not allowed to live with age. They grow up with small problems, cease to appreciate nature and the people around them, think that everyone knows, lose their curiosity and interest in everything that happens. Neighboring asteroids are the same high-rise buildings that people return to after work. Monotonous, not knowing the name of the neighbor. An example of an adult who has not yet lost an inner child, remembers in his dreams, is the Artist.
The child’s soul of the Prince carries the ability to sacrifice himself - he must at all costs follow and care for his Rose, because he tamed her.
“Truth does not lie on the surface”: philosophical thoughts in “The Little Prince”
All the details described in the book are metaphors and symbols through which the Little Prince passes. The aphorisms of the Fox and the boy himself are really simple things, truths, about which the heroes conduct a dialogue.
For example, baobabs, whose sprouts every morning were plucked by the Little Prince, so that they would not tear the Planet. These plants symbolize both the external evil (fascism) and the internal evil sprouts in the human soul. They need to be eradicated and not allowed to devour themselves.
In addition, you need to maintain your inner beauty. As is the case with the Lantern. When he lit the lanterns in the evening, a new star seemed to light up or a flower to blossom. Giving this beauty to the world, the Lantern becomes the only one, according to the Prince, who thinks about someone other than himself.
The Little Prince is a book with a simple plot, but an endless stream of philosophical thoughts on the topic of good and evil, the soul of a person, the beauty of external and internal, environmental protection, true love and loneliness, a child and an adult.
Symbolism in every detail
In addition to the baobabs, inhabitants of asteroids, other planets, there are many other symbols.
A rose is a symbol of love, a female essence. Beautiful outside, the Prince always liked her. But after talking with Fox, he realizes that he sees her inner beauty, he realizes that he is responsible for it, and is ready to sacrifice his life for her.
The desert in which the action takes place is a world hungry for good. He is devastated by war, enmity and selfishness. In such a world, as in a desert without water, it is impossible to survive.
"The Little Prince": aphorisms about the man
Any roads in the world, one way or another, will lead to man, - says Exupery in his tale. The "Little Prince" helps to understand that the desire for the external material makes a person limited, callous and selfish. He is able to see the world around him only through the prism of its value and only in this way gives an assessment of "beautiful - ugly." Hence the total loneliness of modern man.
Not all adults become unable to see spiritual beauty. Those who find a place in life for creativity, openness to communication and knowledge, give their inner child the opportunity to survive. You need to judge yourself, but this is the most difficult, as the work says.
Aphorisms about life and love
The theme of love is presented in the work by the relationship of the Prince and his Rose. To tame, according to the Fox, is to create an invisible bond between himself and the object of love. It is to make the world a kinder place. It is impossible to find true friends and love unless you give them a piece of your soul. To love is to look in one direction, as the words "Little Prince" are known to the world.
Aphorisms about life in a work reveal the very essence of being. The Boy and the Artist manage to understand that the true life is much wider than the real existence of man on Earth. And only an open soul is given to realize that the true world is revealed in eternal values: true friendship, love and beauty. “You need to search with your heart,” continues the Little Prince aphorisms.
A person’s attitude to the world should begin with a careful attitude to nature. He washed himself - tidy up the Planet. Exupery was able to foresee the environmental problems of the world's population, which led to the irrational activities of people.
Who and why should read this tale?
It is difficult to imagine a more sincere and kind book than The Little Prince. The aphorisms of Exupery have long been known around the world. One gets the impression that the whole work consists of winged words - all the phrases of the book are so capacious, understandable, and full of meaning.
Despite the fact that this is a fairy tale, adults should read it first of all. Those who have not forgotten about the really important things. Those who want to teach their children good, and to keep spontaneity and joy in their hearts.