A House of Pomegranates
on Goodreads (3,091)
What’s inside...
These four fairy tales from Oscar Wilde weave magical, mythical, and mystical stories of Princes, Princesses, mermaids and Star-Children. Written for his young sons Cyril and Vyvyan, Wilde's tales each hold unique lessons, allowing each reader to draw different messages, beautifully complemented by poetic language and vivid imagery. A House of Pomegranates is a whimsical collection that includes 'The Young King', 'The Birthday of the Infanta', 'The Fisherman and his Soul', and 'The Star-child', delighting readers of all ages with their fanciful narratives.
Age
12-15
Length
112 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Young King
The Star-Child
Fisherman
The Dwarf
The Mermaid Princess
The Infanta
Discussion points
What do you think the prince learned from his journey in 'The Young King'? How did it change the way he saw his kingdom?
In 'The Birthday of the Infanta', how do you feel about the way the Infanta treated the Dwarf? What could she have done differently?
Why do you think the Fisherman's love for the Mermaid in 'The Fisherman and his Soul' was so strong that he gave up his soul? What does this tell us about love?
In 'The Star-Child', how does the Star-Child's attitude change towards others throughout the story? What caused these changes?
How do the stories in 'A House of Pomegranates' teach us about kindness, love, and understanding?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage children to consider the emotions and motivations of each character, fostering empathy and deeper understanding.
Make connections between the themes in the book and the child’s personal experiences or observations in their own world.
Discuss the moral lessons learned from the stories and how they can be applied in everyday life.
Prompt children to imagine alternative endings for the stories, enhancing their creativity and critical thinking.
Encourage children to express how the story made them feel and which parts resonated with them the most.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: In 'The Young King', the protagonist experiences a transformative realization about the sufferings of the less fortunate, which changes his perspective on wealth and power.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of understanding the feelings and hardships of others, encouraging them to be considerate and kind in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Consequences of vanity
Explanation: In 'The Birthday of the Infanta', the stark contrast between the inner beauty and outward appearance highlights how vanity can lead to cruel and unfair treatment of others.
Real-World Application: This story can help children understand that judging others based on appearances can be hurtful and has real consequences, fostering a more accepting attitude towards differences.
Example Lesson: Value of selflessness
Explanation: In 'The Star-Child', the protagonist learns the hard way that true beauty comes from selfless actions rather than physical appearance or accolades.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to engage in acts of kindness without expecting something in return, promoting a sense of community and empathy.
Example Lesson: Dangers of materialism
Explanation: Throughout the book, different characters experience the downfalls of prioritizing material wealth over meaningful human connections.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate relationships and experiences over material goods, helping them develop healthier priorities and deeper connections with others.
Example Lesson: Redemptive power of love
Explanation: In multiple stories, characters find redemption and true happiness through acts of love, kindness, and sacrifice.
Real-World Application: This can teach children about the transformative power of love and encourage them to express love and kindness in their actions towards family and friends.