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I. Chapter Summary:

The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde is a touching allegorical story that centers around a golden statue of a prince and a little swallow. Although the Happy Prince was joyful and unaware of pain during his lifetime, after death, his statue is placed high above the city, where he witnesses the sorrow and poverty of his people. He enlists the help of a migrating swallow to distribute his riches—his gold leaf and precious stones—to the needy. The story explores themes of compassion, sacrifice, selflessness, and true happiness, ultimately showing how love and kindness are more valuable than physical beauty or wealth.

II. Key Concepts Covered:

Concept	Explanation
Allegory	The story symbolizes the contrast between material wealth and spiritual richness.
Sacrifice	The Prince and the Swallow give up everything for the happiness of others.
Compassion	True nobility lies in helping the poor and helpless.
Social Awareness	Highlights economic disparity and suffering in society.
Spiritual Reward	Acts of kindness are ultimately valued by God, not material possessions.

III. Important Questions:

(A) Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark):

1. Who is the author of The Happy Prince?
   a) William Blake
   b) Oscar Wilde ✅
   c) R.K. Narayan
   d) Leo Tolstoy
2. What was the statue of the Happy Prince covered with?
   a) Silver
   b) Diamonds
   c) Gold leaf ✅
   d) Iron
3. Why did the Swallow stay back with the Prince?
   a) He was too tired to fly
   b) He felt pity and wanted to help ✅
   c) He forgot to leave
   d) The weather was too cold
4. What did the Angel take to God from the city?
   a) Gold and jewels
   b) Statue’s sword and crown
   c) The leaden heart and the dead swallow ✅
   d) A bag of coins

(B) Short Answer Questions (2/3 Marks):

1. Why was the Happy Prince called so during his lifetime?
2. How did the Prince help the seamstress and her sick son?
3. Why did the Swallow not leave the statue and fly to Egypt?
   – PYQ 2020
4. Describe the condition of the Prince’s statue after giving away all his riches.

(C) Long Answer Questions (5 Marks):

1. Discuss the transformation of the Happy Prince from a symbol of wealth to one of compassion and sacrifice.
2. How does the story highlight the theme of selfless love and charity?
3. How do the Prince and the Swallow demonstrate the values of humanity and kindness?
4. “There is no greater act than giving without expecting anything in return.” Justify with reference to the story.
   – PYQ 2022

(D) HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills):

1. If you were the mayor, would you have appreciated the statue’s sacrifices? Why or why not?
2. What lessons can modern society learn from The Happy Prince about wealth and happiness?

IV. Key Concepts/Definitions:

Term	Definition
Allegory	A story with a symbolic meaning beyond the literal one.
Materialism	Focus on wealth and possessions instead of values.
Empathy	The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
Charity	Voluntarily helping the less fortunate without expecting anything in return.
Transformation	A major change in character or outlook, as seen in the Prince.

V. Deleted Portions (CBSE 2025–2026):

 No portions have been deleted from this chapter as per the rationalized NCERT textbooks.

VI. Chapter-Wise Marks Bifurcation (Estimated – CBSE 2025–2026):

Unit/Chapter	Estimated Marks	Type of Questions Typically Asked
Chapter 5: The Happy Prince	5–6 marks	1 Long Answer or 2 Short Answers + 1 MCQ or HOTS

VII. Previous Year Questions (PYQs):

Year	Marks	Question
2020	3	Why did the Swallow not go to Egypt? Explain.
2022	5	How does the story highlight the values of compassion and sacrifice through the Prince and the Swallow?

VIII. Real-World Application Examples to Connect with Topics:

Real-Life Context	Connection
Community Service	Highlights the importance of giving back to society.
Mental Health Awareness	Emphasizes emotional richness over material possessions.
Ethical Leadership	Leaders must serve the people, not just appear grand.
Environmental Conservation	Teaches the value of self-sacrifice for the common good.

IX. Student Tips & Strategies for Success:

 Time Management:

• Read the story once to understand the plot and again to underline values.
• Dedicate 15 mins for practice questions and 10 mins for vocabulary building.

 Exam Preparation:

• Practice character sketches of the Prince and the Swallow.
• Focus on theme-based questions and their moral implications.
• Use mind maps to remember the sequence of events and sacrifices.

 Stress Management:

• Share the story in group activities or as a class play to make revision fun.
• Discuss the moral lessons to connect emotionally and retain better.

X. Career Guidance & Exploration:

For Classes 9–10:

Stream	Career Paths
Humanities	Social Worker, Writer, NGO Professional
Science	Psychologist, Humanitarian Researcher
Commerce	CSR Manager, Ethical Business Consultant

• Relevant Exams & Competitions:
  • NTSE
  • CBSE Expression Series
  • English Olympiads
  • Creative Writing & Moral Science Competitions

XI. Important Notes:

•  Refer to NCERT textbooks and official CBSE sample papers regularly.
•  The story teaches empathy, selflessness, and true leadership—important for life.
•  Focus more on themes and values rather than memorizing the text.
•  Use story discussions to improve emotional intelligence and writing depth.