"It is only through your heart that you can see clearly. The eyes do not see that which is most important".

Book Review | The Little Prince

Reviewed in Class by: Ganesh Aadhitya S

Transcribed by: Gayathri K

Ganesh started his book review of Antoine de Saint Exupery's novella The Little Prince (French novella) with the quote from the famous Greek philosopher Heraclitus that says -

No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.

According to Ganesh, it should transform you as a person.

He then explained the cuteness of the little prince from a planet that is the size of a house.

He believes that the world is limited to children compared to adults. We have a tendency to look down upon children as we grow older or when we know more.

There are lots of lessons for adults in children's books. The curiosity of the childhood goes missing when we become older.

Citing the famed Austrian poet, Rainer Maria Rilke's - celebration of childhood,

"Jewel beyond all price, that treasure house of memories?" - enormous past is compared with that, we leave behind enormous thoughts when we become old.

Grown ups don't understand his drawings - boa constricter - hat - innocence of the childhood. Then, Ganesh started narrating the crisp of the story, there are six little planets. It goes like Sahara desert meets narrator, one person in every planet to symbolize the narrow thinking of adults, grownups would not understand many things compared to children. Unlike children, adults are guided by pride, judgements, materialistic culture can be seen.

Geographer - only records - echo chamber - geographer - singular view of the world- serious things - ephemeral lives - such a large world.

So the little prince takes care of his one rose that he talks to everyday, thus he shares a special bond with the rose, FRIENDSHIP - Tamed - he listens to her. He listened - "complaining, boasting, and even to her silence".

One day he found thousands of roses while walking next to a garden. But the bond he shares this with one rose is so special. Caterpillars except the two or three so she could see the butterflies - 4 thorns against the world - attention.

The little prince feels that he should protect the rose as it has only 4 thorns to protect itself. The time spent with the rose makes it important.

Later, Ganesh quoted from Kafka's love letter to Milena - "how tired you sound in your letter from Saturday evening - is there anything nicer than simply being with me and allowing me to sit in front of you?"

- rather the existence you have bestowed on me.

Then a fox explains the secret of life - "it is only through your heart that you can see clearly. The eyes do not see that which is most important".

Then he mentioned how judgmental the society is, social media plays a crucial role in making people's mind so judgmental. There is a trend of having a singular mission, oneness, absolute lack of empathy in this ordinary world. The Culture Industry- commodified individuals - Instagram- insta - worthy - genz - so commodified by Instagram that they look at themselves to Instagram.

Psychological problems due to over concern about pimples - body image concerns,  hate following, false consciousness - the magic mirror- shatter these deception.

Art and culture - social activity- produced and consumed like other products. Maintaining an online identity.

“Eyes do not see which is more important”, it only looks at your outward appearance.

At the end of the story - Railway Switchman - constantly boarding different trains - only children look out the windows - adults try to be busy all the time.

“All grown ups were once children only a few of them remember it”.

A lamp lighter - busy lives - 30 seconds - lights - signifying day and night.

The Prince’s fate is left a mystery.

Ganesh himself said that he is a practical person, thus he believes that there should be a balance in life. That childishness will always be there in everyone.

Finally he completed his book review with a beautiful quote, “Be carefully entertained, Dare to be different”.

Teacher’s Remarks: Excellent, Ganesh! You had an intense and absorbing range of interesting connects that were highly thought-provoking and engaging - all through your Book Review! Yes! We were all hooked in toto to your review from beginning till end! Keep up the spirit!

Thanks a lot to Manimaran. S, for the lovely snaps.