Story Summary
Discover the tragic beauty of The Nightingale and the Rose by Oscar Wilde. A story of ultimate sacrifice, unrequited love, and the cold reality of materialism.
A young Student wept in his garden because he had no red rose to give the Professor's daughter, who promised to dance with him if he brought her one. A Nightingale, hearing his sorrow, believed him to be a true lover. Determined to help, she flew to various rose-bushes, but only a white and a yellow rose could be found. Finally, a rose-tree beneath the Student’s window told her it could produce a red rose, but only if the Nightingale sang her sweetest song all night while pressing her heart against a thorn, staining the flower with her own blood. The Nightingale agreed, believing love to be more precious than life. As she sang, the thorn pierced her heart, and a magnificent crimson rose bloomed as she fell dead. The next morning, the Student found the rose and joyfully brought it to the girl. However, she rejected it, saying it wouldn't match her dress and that the Chamberlain’s nephew had sent her real jewels. Embittered, the Student tossed the rose into the gutter, where a cartwheel crushed it. He returned to his room, deciding that Love was an unpractical thing and that Logic was far better.
The Moral
True sacrifice is often wasted on those who value material wealth and cold intellectualism over the selfless depth of the heart.
“Love is wiser than Philosophy, though she is wise, and mightier than Power, though he is mighty.”
Fun Fact
Oscar Wilde wrote this story for his own children, though its dark themes and critique of intellectualism were clearly aimed at the rigid Victorian society of his time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Nightingale and the Rose?
The story highlights the tragedy of self-sacrifice when met with ingratitude. It critiques how modern society often chooses material gain and cynical logic over the beauty of genuine, selfless love.
Why does the Nightingale sacrifice herself?
She believes the Student is a 'true lover' and that love is the most precious thing in the world. She is willing to give her life to help him achieve what she perceives as his heart's desire.
What does the red rose symbolize in the story?
The red rose symbolizes a love that is perfected through suffering and sacrifice. Ironically, while the bird sees it as a sacred gift, the humans see it as a mere accessory or a failed bribe.
How does the Student react to the Nightingale's gift?
The Student is completely unaware of the bird's sacrifice. When the girl rejects the rose, he immediately dismisses love as 'unpractical' and 'silly,' returning to his books and academic logic.
Who is the antagonist in The Nightingale and the Rose?
There is no traditional villain, but the Student and the Professor's daughter represent the antagonists of the heart—cynicism, vanity, and the cold pursuit of materialism.
Is The Nightingale and the Rose a traditional fairy tale?
While it uses fairy tale elements like talking animals, Oscar Wilde uses the form to write a subversive 'literary' fairy tale that ends in tragedy rather than 'happily ever after.'
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