“The Little Prince” — Allegory and Symbolism with quotes from the book
“Le Petit Prince” (“The Little Prince”) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is much more than a children’s book. It is a profound allegory that uses rich symbolism to explore complex themes of love, loss, and human nature. But what exactly are allegory and symbolism?
- Allegory: A literary device where characters, events, or settings symbolize broader concepts, often conveying moral, social, or political messages. The entire narrative works on two levels: the literal and the symbolic.
- Symbolism: The use of specific objects, characters, or events to represent deeper meanings or abstract ideas beyond their literal sense. Symbols can be individual elements within a narrative.
In this article, we will delve into the allegorical elements and symbols that make this novella a timeless masterpiece, offering detailed examples and quotes to illustrate their significance.
Allegory: Life Lessons Encased in a Journey
At its core, “Le Petit Prince” is an allegory. The journey of the little prince across various planets serves as a metaphor for different stages and facets of life, highlighting the follies and wisdom inherent in human nature.
Each planet the little prince visits represents a different aspect of society, encapsulating broader life lessons.
a. The King: The first planet is ruled by a king who claims to govern the entire universe. He represents the absurdity of absolute power and the human obsession with authority. Despite his grandiose claims, he has no real subjects and issues orders that are inherently reasonable, highlighting the emptiness of power when it lacks purpose and connection to others.
“It is much more difficult to judge oneself than to judge others. If you succeed in judging yourself rightly, then you are indeed a man of true wisdom.”
— The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
b. The Vain Man: The second planet is home to a vain man who craves admiration. This character embodies the human desire for validation and the superficiality of seeking self-worth through others’ opinions. The vain man’s need for constant applause underscores the emptiness of vanity and the hollowness of external validation.
“For, to conceited men, all other men are admirers.”
— The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
c. The Drunkard: On the third planet, the prince meets a drunkard who drinks to forget his shame. This encounter illustrates the vicious cycle of addiction and the futile attempts to escape from one’s problems. It is a poignant commentary on the self-destructive behaviors people adopt to avoid facing their inner turmoil.
“Why are you drinking?” the little prince asked.
“In order to forget,” replied the drunkard.
“To forget what?” enquired the little prince, who was already feeling sorry for him.
“To forget that I am ashamed,” the drunkard confessed, hanging his head.
“Ashamed of what?” asked the little prince who wanted to help him.
“Ashamed of drinking!” concluded the drunkard, withdrawing into total silence.
And the little prince went away, puzzled.
“Grown-ups really are very, very odd,” he said to himself as he continued his journey.— The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
d. The Businessman: The fourth planet is occupied by a businessman who is endlessly counting stars, which he claims to own. He symbolizes the materialistic pursuit of wealth and the absurdity of claiming ownership over that which cannot be possessed. His obsession with numbers and ownership distracts him from the true beauty and wonder of the stars themselves.
“I own the stars because nobody else before me ever thought of owning them.”
— The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
e. The Lamplighter: The fifth planet features a lamplighter who tirelessly lights and extinguishes a lamp every minute. This character represents the nobility and futility of duty. His dedication, though admirable, is rendered meaningless by the rapid rotation of his planet, highlighting the sometimes Sisyphean nature of human endeavors.
“There is nothing to understand,” said the lamplighter. “Orders are orders. Good morning.” And he put out his lamp.
— The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
f. The Geographer: On the sixth planet, the prince meets a geographer who never leaves his desk, relying on explorers for information about the world. This character symbolizes the disconnect between knowledge and experience. The geographer’s reliance on secondhand information underscores the limitations of theoretical knowledge without practical engagement.
“But I am not an explorer. I haven’t a single explorer on my planet. It is not the geographer who goes out to count the towns, the rivers, the mountains, the seas, the oceans, and the deserts. The geographer is much too important to go loafing about. He does not leave his desk.”
— The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
These allegorical characters serve as mirrors, reflecting various human flaws and prompting readers to examine their own lives and values.
Symbolism: Layers of Meaning in Everyday Objects
Symbolism in “Le Petit Prince” enriches the narrative, infusing everyday objects and characters with deeper meanings that resonate with readers on multiple levels.
a. The Rose: The rose is one of the most significant symbols in the book. She represents love in its many forms — beautiful, fragile, and sometimes demanding. The rose’s vanity and demands test the prince’s patience, but they also teach him about the depth and complexity of love. Her thorns symbolize the defenses people put up to protect themselves, making love both a source of joy and pain.
“It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.”
— The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This quote underscores the idea that the value of love lies in the effort and time we invest in it, rather than the superficial qualities.
b. The Baobabs: The baobabs represent the small problems in life that, if left unchecked, can grow into significant issues. They serve as a metaphor for the importance of vigilance and proactive problem-solving.
“Sometimes,” he added, “there is no harm in putting off a piece of work until another day. But when it is a matter of baobabs, that always means a catastrophe. I knew a planet that was inhabited by a lazy man. He neglected three little bushes . . .”
— The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This warning about the baobabs illustrates how neglecting minor issues can lead to major consequences, emphasizing the need for mindfulness and action in maintaining one’s personal and emotional well-being.
c. The Stars: Stars in “Le Petit Prince” symbolize guidance, hope, and the vastness of the universe. They remind both the prince and the narrator of the infinite possibilities and the beauty of the unknown.
“All men have the stars, but they are not the same things for different people.”
— The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
For the narrator, the stars become a symbol of his connection to the prince, representing the eternal bond and the memories that transcend physical separation.
d. The Fox: The fox introduces the theme of taming and forming meaningful relationships. He teaches the prince about the essence of love and the process of building connections.
“One only understands the things that one tames.”
— The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This statement highlights the mutual responsibility and effort required to form deep, meaningful relationships. The process of taming makes the fox unique to the prince, just as personal connections make certain individuals unique and irreplaceable in our lives.
e. The Desert: The desert, where the narrator and the prince meet, symbolizes both loneliness and the potential for discovery. It is a barren place that also offers the opportunity for introspection and finding hidden truths.
“What makes the desert beautiful,’ said the little prince, ‘is that somewhere it hides a well.”
— The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This paradoxical beauty of the desert reflects the idea that even in the emptiest and most desolate places, there is hope and hidden treasures to be found, mirroring the internal journey of self-discovery.
The Little Prince uses allegory and symbolism to weave a rich tapestry of meanings, making it a story that resonates on multiple levels. Through the prince’s journey and the symbolic elements embedded in the narrative, Saint-Exupéry invites readers to reflect on the deeper truths about love, responsibility, and the human condition. By paying attention to these literary devices, we can uncover the profound lessons that this seemingly simple tale has to offer, reconnecting with the child within us who sees the world with wonder and wisdom.
