The fox says, "But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world..." (Ch. 21) it is this which gives color to the world. In taming the fox, and learning that establishing ties and relationships is what gives meaning to life, the prince comes to understand that his rose is unique, because she has a relationship with him. The idea that it is relationships, commitments, and sacrifices which define and give meaning to life is one which continues through-out Exupery's life and work. "One sees clearly only with the heart," the fox informs the prince, and it is this secret which the prince teaches in turn to his tamed pilot. It is the secret that teaches him that he must die to return to his rose.
The rose which is like any other rose, and yet absolutely unique, is a central figure in the Little Prince, because in the end she is the one for whom he will live and die. According to some biographers -- most notably Consuela herself -- the rose in this story was based on Exupery's wife, Consuela. She quotes him as saying to her, "I can't forgive myself for not dedicating it to you..." (C. Exupery, 303) and of speaking to her of the next part of the story which would be written when the war had ended: "You'll never again be a rose with thorns, you'll be the dream princess who always waits for the Little Prince." (C. Exupery, 303) According to all accounts, the relationship between the Exupery pair was very stormy for most of the years of their relationship, due in part to their passionate natures, his need for change and flight, and flirtations and affairs on both their parts. It would be no wonder if the finicky, thorned rose were based on Consuela, or if their frequent absences from on another were part of the inspiration behind the words, "Love and distrust cannot live in the same house... I was too young to know how to love her."
The little prince leaves his rose because he feels stifled by her demands, by her self-centeredness, and by her dependence. Yet in the end he returns determined to battle the baobabs for her, and to face death for their reunion. It is relationships, even difficult ones, which make life important.
The snake, which speaks always in riddles, is in the end the means by which the little prince goes home. The snake is an interesting mythological choice here -- in Christian/Jewish Garden of Eden myth, the snake offers wisdom which leads to mortality of the body. The garden myth is directly referenced in the line "you haven't even any feet," (ch 17) as the removal of the snake's feet was explained as part of that myth. However, in more ancient mythologies of Egypt and Britain, the snake was a symbol of wisdom that led to transcendent life beyond death. "An ancient Egyptian belief was that death by snake...
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now