# Love and Selfishness in Children’s Stories

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

True love is portrayed as selfless and sacrificial, while selfishness—embodied by the Miller, the Rocket, and the Star-Child—leads to isolation and moral decay.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Happy Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/children_s_stories_se/chapters/the-happy-prince): The swallow's initial love for the Reed is self-centered, but his later devotion to the Prince becomes selfless and sacrificial.
- [The Nightingale and the Rose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/children_s_stories_se/chapters/the-nightingale-and-the-rose): The Student's love is shallow and self-centered, contrasted with the Nightingale's genuine, selfless love.
- [The Remarkable Rocket](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/children_s_stories_se/chapters/the-remarkable-rocket): The Rocket's obsession with his own importance contrasts with the genuine love of the Prince and Princess, exposing selfishness disguised as sympathy.
- [The Fisherman and His Soul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/children_s_stories_se/chapters/the-fisherman-and-his-soul): The Fisherman's love for the Mermaid is portrayed as selfless and enduring, resisting the Soul's temptations of wisdom and pleasure.

## Links

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