The Happy Prince
by Oscar Wilde

The Happy Prince: Anthropomorphism 1 key example

Definition of Anthropomorphism

Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics, emotions, and behaviors to animals or other non-human things (including objects, plants, and supernatural beings). Some famous examples of anthropomorphism include Winnie the Pooh, the Little Engine... read full definition
Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics, emotions, and behaviors to animals or other non-human things (including objects, plants, and supernatural beings). Some famous examples of anthropomorphism include Winnie... read full definition
Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics, emotions, and behaviors to animals or other non-human things (including objects, plants, and supernatural beings). Some famous... read full definition

Key Examples in The Happy Prince

Anthropomorphism
Explanation and Analysis—The Happy Prince's love:

The world of “The Happy Prince” is one where it is taken for granted that animals and inanimate objects can speak and feel. The use of such anthropomorphism works both to create the whimsical setting of the story’s fairy tale genre and to create a safe vehicle which through Wilde can express ideas that were controversial at the time, such as homosexual love.