Every good book has some context, and ‘The Little Prince’ isn’t left out. Let’s take a look at this book and some of the experiences it drew from and some of the experiences that were drawn from it.
Historical Context
“The Little Prince” was written in 1942 and published in 1943, during the height of World War II. Europe was in turmoil, and France, the homeland of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, was under Nazi occupation. Saint-Exupéry used the story to reflect on themes of isolation, loss, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world as a wartime exile in the United States. The war’s destruction and disillusionment heavily influenced the book’s tone, as it subtly critiques the corrupt values of adult society. Through the Little Prince’s encounters with various figures, Saint-Exupéry captures the absurdity and emptiness of the adult world, mirrored in the fractured state of society at the time.
The socio-political climate of the 1940s was one of profound change. Totalitarianism, warfare on a never-before-seen scale, and the threat of destruction loomed over the world. In this context, “The Little Prince” becomes a story about rediscovering the essential values of life—love, friendship, and childhood innocence—amid the anti-human forces of war and political oppression.
Author’s Background
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was an author, celebrated pilot, and adventurer. Born in 1900, he grew up in a world undergoing significant transformations, from the end of the First World War to the rise of modern aviation. His experiences as an aviator before and during World War II profoundly influenced his literary works. His career as a pilot began in 1926, and many of his works, including “Night Flight” (1931) and “Wind, Sand, and Stars” (1939), reflect his fascination with the skies and the solitude of flight. In these works, Saint-Exupéry often mused on human nature, the fragility of life, and the search for meaning—ideas that feature prominently in “The Little Prince.”
Saint-Exupéry’s experiences with crashing in the Sahara Desert in 1935, where he was stranded for days, directly influenced the opening of “The Little Prince.” In this novel, the narrator, a pilot, crashes into the desert, setting the stage for the surreal and deeply philosophical interactions between him and the Little Prince. Saint-Exupéry’s relationship with the natural world, mainly the desert, and his close encounters with death gave him a unique perspective on life, solitude, and human relationships—central themes in the novel. Moreover, as a writer, Saint-Exupéry was influenced by his humanistic philosophy and his belief in the intrinsic value of love and relationships, which he saw as antidotes to the destructive forces at play in the world.
Cultural Context
At its core, “The Little Prince” reflects a longing for a simpler, more meaningful life, free from the complexities and corruptions of the adult world. The story critiques the materialistic values, loss of meaning, and bureaucratic mindset that dominated Western society during and after the war. The Little Prince meets adults representing different aspects of society—such as the businessman obsessed with ownership, the king consumed by power, and the vain man desperate for admiration. Each character critiques contemporary culture, exposing the emptiness and absurdity of adult fixations. In contrast, the Little Prince is curious, innocent, and has deep emotional wisdom.
Written during an era of existential questioning, “The Little Prince” resonates with mid-20th-century philosophical movements, particularly existentialism. Philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus were wrestling with the absurdity of life, the loss of meaning in modern society, and the quest for personal responsibility in a seemingly indifferent universe. While Saint-Exupéry’s work is less overtly philosophical, it shares similar concerns. The Little Prince’s journey can be interpreted as a search for meaning in an otherwise baffling world, where relationships and emotions provide the only semblance of purpose. This critique of modernity and materialism was especially relevant when industrialization, war, and capitalism dominated society’s concerns.
Literary Context
As a work of philosophical fiction, “The Little Prince” blends elements of allegory, fantasy, and fable. Its magical and whimsical tone sets it apart from traditional war-era literature, allowing it to convey profound philosophical questions in a way that is accessible to readers of all ages.
Books like The Little Prince include “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll, “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster, and “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” by Richard Bach. These works share a common theme of self-discovery and philosophical exploration, often set within imaginative or fantastical worlds. Like The Little Prince, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “The Phantom Tollbooth” feature protagonists who embark on surreal journeys where they encounter strange characters and lessons about life. In both cases, the fantastical settings are allegories for avenues for personal growth, development, and understanding. They are used to reflect on real-world moral and existential dilemmas, much like Saint-Exupéry’s whimsical planet-hopping journey. “The Alchemist” and “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” explore similar existential questions. Like the Little Prince, Coelho’s protagonist seeks meaning and personal fulfillment, confronting challenges and discovering wisdom through a spiritual journey.
Regarding literary movements, “The Little Prince” is linked to existentialism, a philosophical movement that emerged after World War II. Like existentialist thinkers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus, Saint-Exupéry grapples with themes of alienation, the search for meaning, and the absurdity of life. However, his work leans toward hope and redemption, countering existentialism’s nihilistic tendencies by suggesting that love and relationships can provide purpose.
Critical Reception
“The Little Prince” initially received mixed reviews, with some critics still determining its dual nature as a children’s story and a philosophical fable. Early reactions, such as those from The New York Times, questioned whether the book’s complexity, including its paradoxes and ironies, would resonate with younger readers. However, they acknowledged its potential to capture children’s imaginations. Despite this ambivalence, some reviewers appreciated its deeper messages. Writers like P.L. Travers praised its ability to connect with children on an emotional level, while others admired its philosophical underpinnings. It achieved only modest early success.
However, its popularity grew steadily, especially after Saint-Exupéry died in 1944, and it is now considered one of the most beloved and widely translated books in the world. Over 200 million copies have been sold, and the story has been translated into more than 500 languages, making it one of the most translated works in history. Its delicate exploration of human emotion, love, and loss has earned it critical acclaim for its philosophical depth disguised as a children’s tale.
Modern Relevance
“The Little Prince” has left a lasting legacy with numerous adaptations and achievements across various mediums. The novella has been translated into over 300 languages, including endangered ones like Maya and even fictional languages such as Klingon, making it one of the most translated books in the world, second only to the Bible. Having sold over 200 million copies worldwide, the novel earned Antoine de Saint-Exupéry a place in the Writers’ Hall of Fame. Its timeless themes of love, friendship, and the human condition continue to resonate globally, leading to widespread cultural relevance and accessibility.
Adaptations of “The Little Prince” span a diverse range of formats. It inspired a 2015 animated film by Netflix, “The Little Prince,” directed by Mark Osborne. Dimitri Rassam, Aton Soumache, and Alexis Vonarb produced it. It stars a host of actors, including Bob Persichetti and Irena Bring. 77.5 million USD was budgeted for this movie. So far, it has grossed $97.5 million in the Box Office. It also inspired an opera production in Houston and a musical by French composer Richard Cocciante, among other media reinterpretations. These adaptations show the story’s ability to transcend literary boundaries, reaching audiences through different media besides books. The novella’s influence extends into space; an asteroid and a lunar crater were named in honor of its author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
The novella’s legacy is also honored through cultural institutions and exhibitions worldwide. The now-closed Little Prince Museum celebrated the story’s impact in Japan, while the Morgan Library in New York City featured exhibits that explored Saint-Exupéry’s creative process. The novella has also been a symbol in global campaigns, such as environmental conservation efforts and UNESCO’s World Book Capital program, proving that “The Little Prince” remains a cultural icon, continually inspiring new generations across the globe.
