The Nightingale and the Rose

 1. Prepare a character sketch of the young student.

Answer :

The Young Student : A Sincere Lover

The young student is the central character of the short story 'The Nightingale and the Rose' written by the Irish writer Oscar Wild. In this story, he is portrayed as a romantic, sensitive and a passionate lover. He loves the daughter of the Professor very sincerely. She gives him an offer that she will dance with him if he gives her a red rose. But the boy becomes very much depressed as he cannot find the red rose. His studies doesn't make him a sensible person. He believes himself very wise, claiming that "all the secrets of philosophy" are his. Yet, he is unable to understand the Nightingale when she speaks to him because he only knows "the things that are written down in books." He cannot even recognise the real character of the girl. He thinks that she too loves him sincerely. The boy is a typical representative of new generation. He blindly loves the girl. As he gives the red rose to the girl, she rejects it by saying that the Chamberlain's nephew has sent her jewels and the rose will not match to her dress. Then finally the student realises that his lover is ungrateful and he becomes very angry towards her. He throws the flower to the street.His last dialogue - 'What a silly thing Love is' - gives us a clear picture of his hypocritical character.

2. Character Sketch of Nightingale

The Nightingale is a bird which had an important role in the short story 'The Nightingale and the Rose' written by the Irish writer Oscar Wild. In this story, the Nightingale is portrayed as a symbol of love, friendship and sacrifice. The bird lives in an Oak-tree near the Student's home.She makes everyone happy by her beautiful voice. She is passionate, helping minded, and idealistic and believes that love is the most powerful and noblest matter in the life. She is also very impulsive, as she is ready to sacrifice her life for the Student because she believes him to be a "true lover." She is also courageous and determined because she consciously takes the challenge of making a red rose by singing and giving her lifeblood even though she knows that she will lose her life. in short, we can say that the Nightingale is a martyr of true love.

3. The dejected Student goes to his room, overwhelmed with feelings and makes a diary entry. Write the likely diary entry of the student. 

Answer :

20 May 2023

Sunday

It was an unforgettable day in my life today. My heart is broken. What a unfortunate fate I got ! How cruel the professor’s daughter is ! I never thought she would be ungrateful to me! I trusted her very much. I blindly loved her. I did never expect that she would tell the red rose would not match with her dress. How could she tell that jewels cost far more than flowers? How much I loved her. What a silly thing love is! It's utterly worthless.  Can wealth and position be more valuable than a man’s love? I will never again trust a girl. This incident has taught me a good life lesson.