Outschool
Open currency, time zone, and language settings
Log In

Literary Devices in "The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde

In this two-week class students will analyze and write about the use of literary devices and character development in the Oscar Wilde fairy tale "The Happy Prince."
Kandy Crosby-Hastings
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(190)
Class

What's included

2 live meetings
3 in-class hours
Homework
2-4 hours per week. Each learner will write a one to two-page essay after week one. Learners will need to have a good grasp of the characters and literary devices presented in "The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde. They will need to understand how these contribute to the meaning and emotion of the story. Depending upon the student, it may take two to three hours to organize and write the essay.
Assessment
At the end of class, I will provide an informal assessment of each learner's participation and understanding of the concepts studied.

Class Experience

US Grade 8 - 11
In this class, students will learn how the use of literary devices and active, growing characters in the Oscar Wilde fairy tale "The Happy Prince" gains the readers' empathy and reinforces the lesson of the importance of helping others.  Prior to class, learners will be required to read or listen to the story "The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde.  This is a public domain story and is easily found online. During the first week's class, we will discuss how the story made us, the readers, feel.  Prior to class, students are welcome to create a work of art or writing to share with others and to help express those feelings during this first week's class.  After sharing how the story made us feel and why, we will delve into a discussion of literary devices and character development.  We will discuss how the use of these devices contributes to the meaning of the story - the importance of helping others.  
In this class, students will learn to write a one to two-page essay describing how their choice of literary device or character development contributes to the emotion and meaning of the story. For example, students may choose to write about how the personification of the swallow and the statue add to the storyline. They may choose to write about the irony found in the attitude of the Happy Prince.  They may choose to write about how the characters change throughout the story or how the people's attitude regarding the value of the Happy Prince changes throughout the story. Topics relating to literary devices or character development will be approved for the essay. Creativity is encouraged in this writing assignment.
In week two of the class, learners will present their essays to the class. The class will discuss the points made in each learner's essay.  
I will teach this class through discussion and PowerPoint presentations. I teach through interaction with the students and their interaction with each other. Discussion is of utmost importance. I believe students learn best when they enjoy what they are learning and when the learning environment promotes discussion. Learners should come to class prepared to think about the components and lessons of the fairy tale, to write about these components, and to have fun in class.
Learning Goals
Students will learn the value of literary devices and character development in classic literature and will learn to organize their thoughts to write a short literary analysis.
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
Both the main characters in "The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde die at the end of the story. This will be discussed in class when describing character growth and literary devices. At the end of the story "The Happy Prince," the swallow and statue are allowed by God to enter heaven. This portion of the story will be discussed as a metaphor that reflects how the swallow made the correct choice to stay and help the poor rather than flying to Egypt as he had planned. This portion will also be discussed as character development for the character the Happy Prince, who was willing to give up all of his material possessions to help others. We will discuss the irony in this section in that the Happy Prince was considered worthless by the people, because they were seeing that he was no longer adorned with gold and gems, but his heart, what truly mattered, was pure. This portion will be taught only from a literary perspective, not as an endorsement of any religion.
Supply List
Prior to class, learners will be required to read or listen to the public domain story "The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde. They will need to bring a notebook and a pen or pencil to class.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined June, 2020
5.0
190reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in History from Liberty University
Bachelor's Degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Liberty University
I have a master's degree in professional writing and a master's degree in human services from Liberty University. 

Reviews

Live Group Class
Share

$20

for 2 classes
1x per week, 2 weeks
90 min

Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-17
2-8 learners per class

About
Support
SafetyPrivacyCA PrivacyLearner PrivacyManage Data PreferencesTerms
Financial Assistance
Get The App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
© 2024 Outschool