What is the irony in the story ‘The Happy Prince’? Share a few examples from the text

The irony in the story 'The Happy Prince' by Oscar Wilde lies in the contrast between appearance and reality, and the unexpected outcomes that this contrast leads to. Here are a few examples:

1. The Happy Prince: The statue of the Happy Prince is ironically named because, despite his joyful appearance, he is deeply saddened by the suffering he sees in his city. This is ironic because one would expect a prince, especially a 'happy' one, to be oblivious to the hardships of his people.

2. The Swallow's Sacrifice: The swallow decides to stay with the Happy Prince even though it means he will die in the winter cold. This is ironic because the swallow initially stopped by the statue only to rest for a night before heading to a warmer climate. The swallow ends up sacrificing his life, which is the opposite of what he intended to do.

3. The Town Councillors: The town councillors and the mayor consider the statue of the Happy Prince worthless after it loses its gold and jewels, and they decide to melt it down. This is ironic because the statue, which was once admired for its external beauty, is now rejected for the same reason. The true worth of the statue, which lies in its compassion for the people, is completely overlooked.

4. The God's Reward: At the end of the story, God asks one of his angels to bring him the two most precious things in the city. The angel brings him the lead heart of the Happy Prince and the dead swallow. This is ironic because these are the things that the people and the authorities in the city considered worthless. But in the eyes of God, they are the most valuable because of their selfless love and sacrifice.

In all these instances, Wilde uses irony to critique societal values and to highlight the importance of compassion and sacrifice.