# Art and Artifice in Children’s Stories

> Theme guide for Children’s Stories by Oscar Wilde.

Wilde critiques superficial artistry and social pretension through characters like the Mathematical Master, the Town Councillor, and the Remarkable Rocket, who value appearance over substance.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Remarkable Rocket](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/children_s_stories_se/chapters/the-remarkable-rocket): The fireworks are artificial creations that mimic natural phenomena, and the Rocket's self-dramatization highlights the gap between appearance and reality.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/children_s_stories_se/themes/art_and_artifice
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/children_s_stories_se/themes