“The Nightingale and the Rose” is a story by Oscar Wilde. It's a story of altruism, but I think we can dig a little deeper into this story. I believe this story is also about the failures of so-called wise men. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The story of Oscar Wilde's "The Nightingale and the Rose" may be a short story, but it is a tragic one. A nightingale resting in her nest in an oak tree hears a young gentleman complaining that he cannot dance with the girl he wants at the prince's ball tomorrow night, because the girl wants a red rose and he has none. The animals crawled next to him wondering why he was crying and the nightingale replied: "He is crying for a red rose." (Wilde) The nightingale understands the mysteries of Love and went in search of a red rose. She couldn't find one until a branch under the windowsill of the young man's tower told her it would give her a red rose and pricked her heart with one of its thorns, and she agreed. There's a twist at the end, but I won't tell you what it is. This story is very emotional as well as ironic. He tugs at the reader's heartstrings when he learns that the Nightingale is about to die, and then gives her life out of love. His death is then repaid by the fickleness and madness of human nature. It appeals to the readers' sense of love and what love is, but it also makes you feel terrible about being part of such a corrupt society. However, if you look at it from a logical point of view, the student is right. For some, logic is better than love. So, he is fine on his own when he returns to his studies. However, he will never know about the little nightingale's great sacrifice for love. Another way to look at this story is from its ethical point of view. Not really in the sense of animal cruelty (i.e. the death of the nightingale), but in the sense of failure of human society. Sometimes we give too much importance to wanting the good things in life and not appreciating the little things or small gestures of affection. We also tend to overlook other smaller creatures that are part of a big plan, as in the case of the death of the nightingale that produces the red rose. Also, when we are rejected, as humans we tend to lash out and say mean things and revert to a more primal wild man. Humanity may be the highest species on earth, but sometimes we act inferior to the lowest of worms. The quality of writing in this story is really well done. The author [Oscar Wilde] uses a wider variety of colorful figurative language. For example, when he describes the colors of roses he uses similes and metaphors really effectively. An example of this is: "My roses are white," replied [the rose bush], "white as the foam of the sea and whiter than the snow on the mountain. But go to my brother who grows around the old sundial, and perhaps you will he will give what you want.(Wilde) Wilde also uses irony in his story [The Nightingale and the Rose] The ending is a perfect example of irony; it's one of the strong points of this story. I don't recommend anyone read this story unless you are suffering from anguish and possibly self-inflicted mental pain. If you want a piece of your faith in humanity to go away, then definitely read this story. However, if you like sad stories, go ahead and read this book. However, I do not recommend this short story. This is just an example. Get a custom essay now "The Nightingale and the Rose" is a wonderful story. Personally I wouldn't recommend it, but it is.