Class 9 English - MAHARASHTRA
Supplementary: The Happy Prince
Supplementary: The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde is a touching and symbolic story prescribed for Class 9 students under the Maharashtra (MSBSHSE) board. It narrates the tale of a golden statue of a prince and a little swallow who work together to alleviate the misery of the poor in the city. The story explores deep themes of selflessness, true beauty, love, and sacrifice. For board exams, this chapter is crucial as it tests students' comprehension, analytical skills, and ability to write descriptive answers about character motivations and moral values.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Selflessness and Sacrifice
The Happy Prince gives away all his precious gold leaf and gemstones, and the swallow sacrifices his journey to Egypt and ultimately his life to help the suffering people.
True Beauty
Oscar Wilde uses the story to show that true beauty does not lie in outward appearances or material wealth, but in a kind and compassionate heart.
Compassion for the Poor
The prince and the swallow notice the misery, hunger, and cold faced by ordinary citizens, highlighting the duty of the fortunate to help the needy.
Role of God's Messengers
At the end of the story, God asks His angels to bring the two most precious things in the city: the leaden heart of the Happy Prince and the dead swallow.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Maharashtra (MSBSHSE) Class 9 English board curriculum, supplementary reading questions typically carry around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include personal response questions based on the moral of the story, character sketches of the Happy Prince and the Little Swallow, and short-answer questions explaining specific events or quotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the statue called the 'Happy Prince' when he never actually smiled?
During his lifetime, he lived in the Palace of Sans-Souci where sorrow was not allowed to enter, so his courtiers called him the Happy Prince. He only learned about real tears and misery after his death when his statue was placed high above the city.
Why did the swallow decide to stay back with the Happy Prince?
The swallow initially stayed for one night after being moved by the Prince's tears. Later, seeing the Prince's immense generosity and blindness due to giving away his eyes, the swallow chose to stay permanently as his messenger.
What were chosen as the two most precious things in the city by God?
God's angel chose the dead swallow and the leaden heart of the Happy Prince because of their unmatched acts of love, sacrifice, and compassion for the suffering humanity.
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