Existential Lessons in The Little Prince

While The Little Prince is often classified as a children’s book, it is equally rich with existential themes that explore the nature of existence, human purpose, and the meaning of life. Through the Little Prince’s journey and encounters, Saint-Exupéry raises profound philosophical questions about the way humans live and perceive the world.

The Absurdity of Adult Priorities

One of the key existential lessons in The Little Prince is a critique of adult life and the absurdity of adult priorities. As the Little Prince travels from planet to planet, he meets a series of adults who are obsessed with power, wealth, or status—characteristics that seem important to the adult world but are ultimately meaningless in the larger scheme of life. The king, the vain man, and the geographer, for example, are all preoccupied with their own narrow concerns, revealing the emptiness of a life lived solely for external achievement or superficial recognition.

Through these encounters, the Little Prince learns that the adult world often loses sight of what is truly important—such as love, friendship, and emotional fulfillment—by focusing too much on things that are intangible or fleeting. Saint-Exupéry critiques the way society teaches people to value external accomplishments and material success over internal values and human connection.

The Search for Meaning and Purpose

The Little Prince’s journey also reflects the search for meaning and purpose in life, a key aspect of existential philosophy. The prince’s travels are not just physical—they are also intellectual and emotional. He searches for understanding, trying to make sense of the world around him, but he finds that meaning is not always easy to define. Each character he meets has a narrow, often misguided view of the world, suggesting that the search for meaning is highly individual and dependent on one’s ability to look beyond the superficial.

The prince’s encounter with the fox offers the most profound existential lesson. The fox teaches him that true meaning is found in relationships and in the invisible aspects of life, not in things that can be seen or owned. This reflects an existential realization that the essence of life is not found in material possessions or accomplishments, but in the intangible qualities that make life worthwhile—love, connection, and the willingness to see the world through a lens of wonder and curiosity.

The Role of Death and the Transience of Life

Another existential lesson comes through the theme of death and the transience of life. In his encounter with the snake, the Little Prince confronts the idea of death, and it becomes clear that his journey is as much about confronting his own mortality as it is about understanding the world around him. The Little Prince’s eventual return to his rose, after his experiences on Earth, symbolizes the acceptance of death as part of the cycle of life. This moment echoes the existential belief that life’s meaning is often found in the acceptance of its impermanence.

Conclusion: A Philosophical Reflection on Life and Meaning

In conclusion, The Little Prince offers existential lessons about the nature of existence, the importance of love and relationships, and the search for meaning in life. Through the Little Prince’s journey, Saint-Exupéry teaches that true fulfillment comes from living authentically, questioning societal norms, and embracing the intangible aspects of life. By presenting existential questions in a simple, accessible way, the novella encourages readers to reflect on their own lives, reminding them that the most profound truths are often the simplest and most invisible.