NAME : ALISHA NAZ

ROLL NO : 01
DEPARTMENT : BS ENGLISH
LITERATURE
( SEMESTER 3RD )
TOPIC : “THE NIGHTINGALE AND
THE ROSE” BY OSCAR WILDE
 • Introduction
Birth: Oscar Wilde was born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland.
Education: He attended Trinity College, Dublin, and later studied at
Magdalen College, Oxford.
Marriage: Wilde married Constance Lloyd in 1884, and they had two
sons.
Literary Career: His literary career took off in the 1890s with works like
"The Picture of Dorian Gray" (1890) and plays like "The Importance of
Being Earnest" (1895).
Aesthetic Movement: Wilde was associated with the Aesthetic Movement,
emphasizing "art for art's sake" and the pursuit of beauty.
Trials and Imprisonment: Wilde faced legal challenges due to his
homosexuality, leading to his conviction in 1895 and a two-year
imprisonment with hard labor.
Death: Oscar Wilde died on November 30, 1900, in Paris, France, at the
age of 46.
 Overview

"The Nightingale and the Rose” is a short story by Oscar Wilde. It's about
a nightingale that gives up its life to help a student in love by creating a
special red rose. However, the story shows that sometimes, even the
most selfless actions may not be fully understood or appreciated in the
human world. Wilde's tale makes us think about the real meaning of
sacrifice and the complexities of love.
 Characters And their Roles
1 Nightingale:
Selfless and compassionate bird who sacrifices its life to create a red
rose for the Student.
2 Student:
Young man who desires a red rose to win the heart of his beloved;
represents youthful idealism and romantic longing.
3 Young Girl:
Object of the Student's affection, sparking his quest for a red rose.
4 Rose-tree:
Represents the superficiality of societal expectations and standards.
 Symbols used in "The Nightingale and
the Rose"
1 Red Rose: Symbolizes love and sacrifice. The nightingale sacrifices its
life to create a red rose for the Student's beloved.
2 Nightingale: Represents selfless love and devotion. The bird's sacrifice
highlights the theme of genuine, pure love.
3 Rose Tree: Symbolizes superficial and materialistic love. The girl values
a materialistic gesture over the nightingale's sacrifice.
4 Thorn: Represents the harsh realities of the world and the pain that
often accompanies love.
5 Moon and Stars: Symbolize the ephemeral nature of love and the
romantic idealism that the Student pursues.
 Themes
1 Unrequited Love:
The theme of unrequited love is central to the story as the Nightingale
sacrifices itself for the sake of the Student's romantic pursuits, only to
find that the object of his affection does not appreciate the sacrifice.
2 The Nature of Art and Beauty:
Wilde explores the idea of the nightingale's song as a form of art and
beauty, contrasting it with the shallow and materialistic nature of the red
rose and the motives behind the Student's request.
3 Sacrifice and Selflessness:
The Nightingale's selfless sacrifice for the sake of love highlights the
theme of altruism and the willingness to give up one's own life for the
benefit of others.
 Themes

4 Irony and Tragedy:

The story has elements of irony and tragedy, especially in the contrast
between the genuine and selfless actions of the Nightingale and the
superficial and ultimately unfulfilling nature of the Student's love.
5 Critique of Society:
Wilde subtly critiques societal values, emphasizing the superficiality and
materialism present in the Student's world, where true beauty and
sacrifice are undervalued.
 Important aspects

1 Realism Vs Idealism
2 Metaphysics Aspect
3 Aesthetic Movement .. Art for Art's sake
4 Contrast between true love and Materialistic Love
Representation Of Nightingale's Blood
 Is love wiser than Philosophy?

The story suggests that love is wiser than philosophy. The nightingale's
sacrifice for love is portrayed as more meaningful and profound
compared to the rational thinking of philosophy presented in the story.
 Hero and Lover of the Story

In Oscar Wilde's short story "The Nightingale and the Rose," the
protagonist is the Nightingale, who acts as both the hero and the lover.
The Nightingale sacrifices herself to create a red rose for the Student's
beloved, demonstrating the theme of selfless love.
Moral lesson
THANK YOU