The Little Prince

This study guide will help you analyze the novella The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1943). You can also find a summary of the text, detailed characterizations, as well as inspiration for interpreting the novella and putting it into perspective.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was a French writer, journalist, and pilot who is best known for his book The Little Prince. Although he was an accomplished writer, he identified more as a pilot. He authored other notable works like Night Flight, The Wisdom of the Sands, and a memoir called Wind, Sand and Stars. His writing earned him several awards. Tragically, it is believed that he died in a plane crash over the Mediterranean Sea in 1944.

The Little Prince tells the story of a pilot who crashes in the African desert, where he encounters a young boy, the little prince. The boy, who hails from a tiny planet with three volcanoes and a rose, asks the pilot to draw him a sheep. The little prince left his planet due to a disagreement with the rose and traveled across various planets, meeting peculiar, lonely adults before reaching Earth.

While The Little Prince might seem like a simple children's story, it is actually a deeply philosophical tale that explores themes like friendship, love, longing, and the meaning of life. Its poetic and emotional content resonates with readers, which is why it has been translated into over 150 languages and continues to be cherished by many.