The Little Prince: Search for identity a content analysis of The Little Prince

Abstract

This study examined Antoine Saint- Exupery’s The Little Prince. The little prince’s thoughts, actions and speech in the three different settings for attitudes, behaviors, and values were examined. These were also analyzed to see how they contributed to the establishment of identity leading to fidelity. Psychological analysis, especially Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, was used as its theoretical framework. Three tables were made to record the prince’s attitudes, behaviors, and values based on his thoughts, actions, and speech. Findings included: dominant attitudes (disappointed, doubtful, curious, afraid and anxious), pertinent behaviors (showed curiosity, courage and faithfulness, reflected on his experience, resolved to go on, looked for companionship, asked question, wanted to know the truth, understood the value of his rose, and gave up his life), and important values (duty, freedom, knowledge, purpose, faithfulness, comfort, companionship and truth); and the little prince was able to reconcile who he was with what he was expected to do. Conclusions included: attitudes, behaviors, and values are related to each other; the little prince went on a physical and an emotional journey to establish his identity; the little prince established his identity by reconciling who he was with what he needed to do; the establishment identity led to fidelity. The result of this study is recommended for the use of students, teachers of Psychology, Sociology, and Literature and parents.