Abstract
The Nightingale and the Rose by Oscar Wilde is a symbolic short story that explores the themes of love, sacrifice, and emotional sincerity. The story presents the contrast between true devotion and selfish human behavior. Through the character of the Nightingale, Wilde shows that real love requires sacrifice and selflessness. According to Wilde (1888), love is portrayed as something more valuable than material wealth or social status. However, the story also criticizes society’s shallow understanding of emotions and relationships. The tragic ending demonstrates that genuine love is often ignored or misunderstood in a materialistic world.
References
The Nightingale and the Rose. In The Happy Prince and Other Tales. London: David Nutt, 1888.
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Carter, Ronald and John McRae. The Routledge History of Literature in English. London: Routledge, 2010.
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Sanders, Andrew. The Short Oxford History of English Literature. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004