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Chapter 8
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Little Prince, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Relationships
The True and the Essential
Exploration vs. Narrowmindedness
Childhood vs. Adulthood
Innocence
Summary
Analysis
The little prince takes advantage of the migration of a flock of wild birds to leave his planet. Before he goes, he cleans the three volcanoes on his planet, pulls the last baobab shoots, and waters his rose. He feels sad, believing that he'll never return. As he's about to place the glass globe over the rose, he says goodbye, and she apologizes, admitting that she's been foolish and that she loves him. She tells him not to cover her with the globe, as the cool air will do her good, and she can protect herself with her four thorns.
Both the little prince and the rose open themselves up to exploration—the rose allows herself to be exposed to the open air and the little prince departs physically. The little prince's imminent departure prompts the rose to open up about her true feelings as well, and she admits that she loves the little prince. At the time, this is not enough for the prince, still preoccupied by the rose's lies.
Themes
