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  • Essay / Themes of love and selflessness in The Nightingale and the Rose

    “The Nightingale and the Rose” is a short story by Oscar Wilde. It's a story of selflessness, but I think we can dig a little deeper into that story. I believe this story is also about the failures of the so-called wise men. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get an Original EssayThe story of “The Nightingale and the Rose” by Oscar Wilde may be a short story, but it is a tragic one. A nightingale resting in its nest in an oak tree hears a young man complaining about not being able to dance with the girl he wants at the Prince's ball tomorrow night, because the girl wants a red rose and he doesn't have one. The animals crept in front of him, wondering why he was crying, and the nightingale replied, “He’s crying over a red rose.” (Wilde) The nightingale understands the mysteries of Love and goes in search of a red rose. She didn't find one until a branch under the windowsill of the young man's tower told her it would give her a red rose and pricked her heart with one of its thorns, and she agreed. There's a twist at the end, but I won't tell you what it is. This story is both very moving and ironic. It touches the reader's heart when he learns that the nightingale is about to die and then gives him life out of love. His death is then rewarded by the inconstancy and madness of human nature. It appeals to the readers sense of love and what love is, but it also makes one feel bad for being part of such a corrupt society. However, if you look at it from a logical point of view, the student is right. For some, logic is better than love. He is therefore all alone when he resumes his studies. However, he will never know the great sacrifice of the little nightingale for love. Another way to look at this story is from its ethical perspective. Not really in the sense of cruelty to animals (i.e. the death of the nightingale), but in the sense of the failure of human society. We sometimes focus too much on wanting the finer things in life and not appreciating the little things or small gestures of affection. We also tend to overlook other, smaller creatures that are part of a larger project, as in the case of the death of the nightingale producing the red rose. Additionally, when we are rejected, as humans we tend to lash out and say mean things and revert to a more primal wild man. Humanity may be the highest species on earth, but sometimes we act beneath the lowest of worms. The quality of the writing of this story is really well done. The author [Oscar Wilde] uses a wider variety of colorful figurative language. For example, when describing the colors of roses, he uses similes and metaphors very effectively. An example of this is "'My roses are white,' he [the rosebush] replied; 'as white as the foam of the sea and whiter than the snow on the mountain.' But go to my brother who grows around the old sundial, and maybe he will give you what you want. (Wild). Wilde also uses irony in his story [The Nightingale and the Rose] The ending is a perfect example of irony, but I won't give away the ending. is one of the saving points of this story. I don't recommend anyone read this story unless you have heartbreak, and possibly self-inflicted mental pain. If you want a piece of your faith in humanity to disappear, then definitely read this story. However, if you like sad stories, go ahead and read this book, however, I do not recommend this story. Keep in mind: this.