Class 9 English - GUJARAT
Supplementary: The Happy Prince
Supplementary: The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde is a touching tale about a magnificent statue adorned with gold and jewels, and a little swallow who becomes his messenger. Perched high above the city, the Happy Prince weeps as he witnesses the widespread misery and poverty of the citizens. He asks the swallow to strip away his golden leaves, his sapphire eyes, and his ruby to help the poor, the sick, and the needy. This chapter teaches crucial values of empathy, selfless sacrifice, and genuine love, making it a favorite for value-based questions in Gujarat Board (GSEB) exams.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
The Statue of the Happy Prince
A grand monument covered in thin flakes of gold, with two bright sapphires for eyes and a large red ruby on his sword-hilt, standing high above the city.
The Role of the Little Swallow
A migratory bird left behind by his flock who takes shelter between the feet of the statue and becomes the Prince's eyes and hands to distribute his wealth to the poor.
Selfless Sacrifice
The central theme where both the Prince and the swallow give up everything—their beauty, comfort, and ultimately their lives—to alleviate the suffering of others.
True Value vs. Material Wealth
The story contrasts the superficial beauty of gold and jewels with the true, enduring beauty of compassion, kindness, and love for humanity.
Divine Recognition
In the end, God recognizes the dead swallow and the leaden heart of the Prince as the two most precious things in the city, rewarding them with eternal life in paradise.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Gujarat (GSEB) Class 9 English board curriculum, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include short answer questions based on the actions of the swallow and the Prince, long descriptive questions on the theme of sacrifice, and value-based questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the statue called the Happy Prince if he wept?
When he was alive, he lived in a palace where sorrow was not allowed to enter, and his courtiers called him the Happy Prince. However, after his death and installation as a statue, he could see all the ugliness and misery of his city for the first time, which made him weep.
What happened to the swallow in the end?
The swallow stayed with the Happy Prince until his dying breath, helping him give away all his gold and jewels. Due to the extreme cold of winter and his refusal to leave the blind Prince, the swallow eventually died at the feet of the statue.
Why did the town councillors pull down the statue?
The town councillors pulled down the statue because it no longer looked bright and beautiful; the gold leaf was gone, the ruby and sapphires were missing, and the statue looked shabby like a beggar. They decided to melt it down in a furnace to make new statues.
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