What is the meaning of the book?

[☯Emily]

Many reviewers say this book has deep meanings, but I don't see any that have indicated what those deep meanings are. What do you think the author was trying to tell the reader?

[☯Emily]

Neither do I. That is why I am asking.

[Mel]

While some chapters deal with the faults of humanity that we often dismiss as normal--people getting caught up in work-life, the autocratic governments, etc., there are some beautiful passages about what makes a friendship--It's the time we waste together that makes us friends--and about finding value in individual relationships. Remember, the Little Prince comes when the narrator is lost in the desert obsessed with repairing his plane--unable to see the beauty of the land around him and dismissive of the needs around him--"Please, sir, draw me a sheep." And the danger of allowing dangerous habits take root--the baobabs are easier to remove if it's done when they are small. There are many different ideas to take from it, but the one I most enjoy is the idea of friendship that the fox teaches the Little Prince as the Little Prince tames him.

[Alyssa]

Saint-Exupéry's purpose in writing this story is to demonstrate how adults lose the values they held as children. The Little Prince acts as a Christ figure to the pilot, given that he comes to Earth to share his story and eventually sacrifices himself, in order to convey the idea that adults need to be saved from themselves. The adults on each of the planets represent the negative qualities humans develop on the journey into adulthood - the King's urgent need for a sense of power and the conceited man's obvious need for praise and admiration. Saint-Exupéry also attempts to exhibit how adults are only concerned with the extrinsic value of things as opposed to the intrinsic value. The business man is an example of this skewed view belonging to adults. The man believes that because he counts the stars, he owns them and because he owns the stars, he is rich. When attempting to understand this logic, it is important to consider the difference between owning and possessing something. Just because you own something, it doesn't main you will gain anything from it. Possessing something is very different; possession suggests that you can gain a multitude of things from owning something. You must think about who gains more: those who own the stars or those who possess the inspiration that comes from simply viewing the stars? While these ideas merely skim the depth of this seemingly simple novella, they seem to be the most present themes of the story.

Ultimately, this "children's book" offers a much-needed message to the adults that read it. It may be worth their time to think about the values they held as a child and begin look at the way they approach their own lives.

[Dorianne]

This book basically, describes the sensibility between a child and an adult. Adults or elder people are not that comprehensive or tolerant to a child's imagination and innocence (in that time). That's what I think. So yeah, it has deeper meanings and moral metaphors? I learned a lot and loved it, even though it is a children's book. P.s. Don't we have the child in us? ;)

[Jamie]

I agree with another response: that the importance of friendship/relationship is one of the best messages of this story. That it is through deep connection to others that the world holds so much meaning, and so it is important to connect with other, and grow and deepen the relationships in our lives.

[Jamie]

By the way...while I get really irritated that too many discussions around books have to do with their film counterparts, Le Petit Prince is coming to film, and it looks really beautiful! Here is the trailer if you haven't seen it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIAbF...

[☯Emily]

Thanks for all the input from everyone!