Notable Moment 2 - The Happy Prince

The best representation of the themes and functions of fairy tales can be seen in Oscar Wilde's, "The Happy Prince". This whole work is a critique on the greed and selfishness in the hierarchy of society and the redemptive qualities of love and selflessness. It is a perfect example of how fairy tales not only function as a source of entertainment, but as a a social criticism. The moment of the story that ties the story together and teaches the main lesson of love for all, is when God asks for the two most precious items in the town. The angel brings back the heart of the Happy Prince and the sparrow that labored tirelessly.