2. The imagery of water is used in "The Little Prince" to represent the life-giving force, whether it is physical or spiritual. What then does this thirst-quenching pill represent?

3. On the lamplighter's planet, how many strides does it take to circle the planet?

4. What does the first creature the prince meets on earth offer the little prince?

5. The lamplighter says a day on his planet is how long?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the end is near, the pilot has no more water to drink and the little prince has found what he was looking for, a remarkable thing happens. What is different about the search for the well? What happens on this stage of the journey that is new?

2. How is the shift of perception, the growth and movement of the protagonist, set in to motion in the chapter where the little prince discovers the rose garden?

3. Why is the little prince overcome with sadness as he stands in the entrance to the grand rose garden?

4. The little prince does not have the kind of thirst which the pilot has; what kind of thirst does the little prince have?

5. What is the difference between the adult and child, the pilot and little prince, in terms of their reaction to the golden snake?

6. What does the geographer represent?

7. Why does the little prince find the lamplighter less ridiculous than the other solo inhabitants?

8. The flower with only three petals, who lives in the midst of a vast desert, believes that there are only six or seven men in the world. What does she represent in the story?

9. As the little prince faces his appointment with the snake, what is he feeling?

10. After visiting the six asteroids, the little prince has learned many things. In his last visit he seems to have regret that he has left his ephemeral flower all alone. Why doesn't he return? Why does he continue his journey?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In The Little Prince none of the characters are given regular names. They are all identified by a title. This is a very common practice in fables. Why is a fable about types of characters and not specific individuals?

Essay Topic 2

The little prince leaves his world. Why does he do this? What is the reason that he decides to leave the place where he belongs? He loves the flower, why does he abandon her? Write an essay on why the little prince must embark upon a journey.