Reading Books in French: “Le Petit Prince”

“Le Petit Prince,” or “The Little Prince” in English, is a 1943 novella by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. It has become one of the most popular and most translated works in French literature. Additionally, it has been named the best book of France in the 20th century. “Le Petit Prince” is not just a simple children’s book. It is also a book that addresses coming-of-age themes as well as a beneficial tool for those learning French to improve their skills in the language.

Who are the Characters in the Book?

One of the characters is the eponymous “little prince.” He is from a tiny asteroid near-Earth and speaks without directly answering questions. Another character is the narrator, a pilot who once aspired to be an artist. The narrator befriends the little prince. Secondary characters include a rose, a yellow snake, and a fox.

What is the Story’s Plot?

One day, the narrator crashes his plane in the middle of the Sahara Desert. There, he befriends the titular little prince, whose strange features and mannerisms prove that he is not from Earth. Instead, he is from an asteroid planet. Over the days, as the narrator is repairing his airplane, the little prince recounts to him the experiences that he had while traveling, as well as his reflections on those places. After the narrator fixes his airplane, he and the little prince bid farewell to each other, and both characters return to their homeland.

What are the Themes in “Le Petit Prince”?

Themes in “Le Petit Prince” include enlightenment, discovery, love, and ignorance. Ignorance is one of the most salient themes in the novel, warning readers and the characters alike about the consequences of quick judgments about the world. Such consequences lead to prejudice and stereotypes. As for enlightenment and discovery, the two themes go hand in hand: not only is exploration a physical, external action, but it is also an introspective rumination. The narrator and the little prince learn from each other the differences and similarities that separate and connect them, respectively. As a result, this leads to a reflection on their personalities and status in the world. Finally, the theme of love is ubiquitous throughout the novella: the little prince’s love for the rose and the narrator’s love for the little prince. This love for someone incites the individual to become a better person, resulting in compassion and altruism.

Who is the author of “Le Petit Prince”?

The author of “Le Petit Prince,” Antoine de Saint-Exupery, was also an aristocrat and aviator. He was born on June 29, 1900, in Lyon, France. He was educated at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and had several odd jobs before becoming a pilot and writer. In fact, “Le Petit Prince” was inspired by a plane crash that he experienced in 1935; he drew much of his novella from his life experiences. In 1944, he disappeared after a flight duty from southern France. Pieces of his aircraft, but not his body, have been recovered.

What are the Benefits of Reading “Le Petit Prince” in French?

If you are learning the French language, then reading the literature is a beneficial way of practicing your comprehension and vocabulary skills. “Le Petit Prince” is a children’s book, so the level of difficulty is not too high. Yet, with the deep themes and dialogue, the novella still challenges you to focus and apply the knowledge that you have learned into literature. Pretty soon, you will be reading facilely in French.

Overall, “Le Petit Prince” is a versatile book to read. It combines the entertainment factor associated with children’s books, the profound themes addressed in philosophical case study format works, and the French language to help French students improve their understanding of the language. The novella is timeless, without belonging to a certain era or a specific generation of people. Whether you are reading it for your personal pleasure or for educational purposes, “Le Petit Prince” will offer you much more than you had initially expected from it.