What message is conveyed by the story princess september?
Answers
Explanation:
repare for finals! Get 60% off your eNotes subscription today. Subscribe Now
x
rowseNotessearch
Search for any book or any question
HOMEWORK HELP > W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM
How does the story "Princess September" show that the secret of happiness is freedom?
print Print document PDF list Cite
Expert Answers
MWESTWOOD eNotes educator| CERTIFIED EDUCATOR
M. Somerset Maugham's story "Princess September" demonstrates that those who are free and independent are secure in themselves as individuals. They will, then, become content with their lives and can blossom into delightful people.
It is in such a state of peaceful happiness that Princess September and her little songbird exist. However, the princess's sisters are not content. Because they have had their names changed so frequently, they are insecure in their identities. In this state of insecurity and frustration, the sisters become petty and resentful of their little sister. When all the princesses receive parrots from their father, they keep their birds that can only say a few words in golden cages. But one day, Princess September's parrot dies. She is inconsolable for some time until a little songbird flies in her window. His beautiful singing delights all that hear it, and Princess September comes out of her depression.
Each day the little bird soars all around the palace, much to the enjoyment of everyone there. However, when the older sisters notice how much attention September's sweet-sounding bird receives, they become envious of this delightful bird that is so unlike their annoying parrots. They are also jealous of the princess herself because she feels such joy in owning this bird. So, when the little bird is missing one day, the eight sisters are secretly jubilant. However, the bird returns, much to the chagrin of the sisters. Privately, the little bird tells his owner that he has been at his father-in-law's party and had to plead with him to return to the princess. When the sisters are told by Princess September that the bird was at a party, the duplicitous sisters feign concern that he may again fly off or even be eaten by the palace cats. Deviously, they suggest that Princess September secure the bird in the golden cage that formerly belonged to her parrot. Princess September naively trusts the sisters' judgment and cages the little bird.
Once he is caged, the little singing bird becomes despondent, for he cannot bear to be confined in such a way, and he becomes so crestfallen that he stops singing. No matter how much the princess pleads with the bird that she is only acting for his safety, he will not cheer up. Finally, Princess September becomes worried that he will die, so she sets him free.
The parting was heart-rending for September, but she bore it with grace and fortitude. After all, her dear little one had got his deliverance from the cage where he was slowing rotting to death. In the bird’s happiness lay her happiness, she reasoned.
When they learn of the bird's departure, the envious sisters taunt Princess September. But the loyal little bird returns and again brings joy to his owner. In the following years, the disgruntled sisters become uglier as they grow up. As women, they "were driven to disgrace," but the contented Princess September marries a prince and lives happily.
we should not take the freedom of any creator ...we do not have any right to take the freedom of any living creature...and also we should not trust anyone blindly even if the are elders