Happy Prince Analysis

Wealth and Poverty Inside and Outside The Happy Prince Income affects how we interact with the world around us. The lower the income the more families start to panic. The larger the income the more frivolous and daring people are with their money. The households that are in the middle of the income scale usually have enough money to live their lives comfortably and with great joy. Many people believe that the more money you have the happier your life is. Though in most cases money just complicates everything. The middle class truly seem to be the best off. They have enough income to have what they need and don’t have to stress about where the next paycheck will come from. Income can also affect how people interact with those around them. Wealthy …show more content…
His father was a knighted doctor, while his mother was a poet, which inspired many of his stories. While in school Wilde won many prizes and got scholarships to major universities. After his graduation from college he moved to London, England where he started writing poetry. In 1882, Wilde traveled to America to give a lecture tour. On May 29, 1884, Wilde married Constance Lloyd, whom he later had two sons with. About four years after his marriage Wilde had a seven year writing period where he published several works including The Happy Prince and Other Tales, Intentions, and The Picture of Dorian Gray. All of Wilde’s literary success and wealth disappeared when he was convicted of homosexual acts and imprisoned for two years. He died on November 30, 1900 of meningitis …show more content…
This shows in The Happy Prince because he described so accurately the way the rich townsfolk spent their time and wealth. In London in the 19th century to 80% of the population was the working class. The conditions in the city were very filthy. The streets were unpaved and very dirty. It was extremely overcrowded and unsanitary. About 25% of the population was below or at the subsistence level, 10% of the population couldn’t afford basic necessities. About 15-20% were payed enough to be able to pay for their basic needs as long as they kept their jobs and were able to stay healthy . Citizens of London at that time were scared to go to government workhouses for help, they were treated horribly there. The government assumed that if these places were unwelcoming then the less fortunate would be less likely to depend on government help (Lambert). So even though Wilde was well off he saw all the poverty and harsh conditions around him. I believe that in writing The Happy Prince he was pointing out to the rich that they have plenty of money so they should try to help out their fellow people. Later in his life, Wilde probably sympathized with the lower class since he lost all of his wealth. His life started as The Happy Prince, nothing to worry about. Later in life he was the poor townsfolk, working so hard and still having nothing to show for it. So in that case I believe that we should never take what we have for granted because