Class 9 English - PUNJAB
Supplementary: The Happy Prince
Supplementary: The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde is a touching tale about a beautifully decorated statue of a prince and a little swallow bird. The prince, who lived a life of sheltered joy, weeps upon seeing the misery and poverty of his city. Together, the prince and the swallow become agents of charity, sacrificing the prince's precious jewels and gold leaf to help the poor and suffering. This chapter is vital for the Punjab (PSEB) Class 9 board exams as it teaches the values of true empathy, selflessness, and inner beauty, frequently appearing in both short answer and long-form comprehension questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
The Happy Prince's Transformation
Though he lived in Sans-Souci palace and never knew tears, the statue of the Happy Prince sees the true misery of his city and undergoes an emotional transformation, shedding tears of compassion.
The Role of the Little Swallow
Initially delaying his journey to Egypt for love, the swallow stays behind to act as the messenger and eyes of the blind prince, delivering rubies, sapphires, and gold to the needy.
True Charity and Sacrifice
The story highlights that true beauty lies in helping others, shown through the prince stripping away his own outer wealth and the swallow sacrificing his life from the cold.
The Two Most Precious Things
At the end of the story, God asks his angels to bring Him the two most precious things in the city, which are the dead swallow and the leaden heart of the Happy Prince.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Punjab (PSEB) Class 9 English board exams, this chapter typically carries around 3 to 6 marks. Questions usually include short answer questions testing character motives (like why the swallow stayed) and long-answer questions focusing on the central theme of sacrifice and charity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the statue called the Happy Prince?
He was called the Happy Prince because during his lifetime, he lived in the Palace of Sans-Souci where sorrow was not allowed to enter, and he only knew pleasure and joy.
Why did the swallow decide to stay with the Happy Prince?
The swallow stayed because he was moved by the prince's grief and blindness, and he chose to become the prince's messenger to help the poor people of the city.
What were the two most precious things chosen by God?
God's angels brought Him the dead swallow and the leaden heart of the Happy Prince, as they proved their worth through ultimate sacrifice and love.
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