The previous answer does a fine job of pointing out the ways in which Oscar Wilde satirizes Victorian society in his short story (fable, actually) "The Nightingale and the Rose." The reference to the Student's concept of knowledge as limited to books without incorporating life's lessons and observations is a good example of how Wilde, who regularly mocked the Victorian social mores that would ultimately destroy him, was able to capture the essence of English...
The previous answer does a fine job of pointing out the ways in which Oscar Wilde satirizes Victorian society in his short story (fable, actually) "The Nightingale and the Rose." The reference to the Student's concept of knowledge as limited to books without incorporating life's lessons and observations is a good example of how Wilde, who regularly mocked the Victorian social mores that would ultimately destroy him, was able to capture the essence of English upper-class pretentiousness. Another example, however, can be found in the Student's reaction to the Nightingale's song and sacrifice on his behalf. The Nightingale has demonstrated extraordinary valor and commitment in her efforts to aid the Student in his quest for love. The Oak-tree, deeply saddened by the Nightingale's imminent demise, laments that it shall never again enjoy the bird's presence in its branches. When the Oak-tree asks for one last song, the Nightingale obliges, "her voice like water bubbling from a silver jar." It is in the Student's reaction to the Nightingale's noble sacrifice that the reader can observe the author's views on Victorian society:
“She has form,” he said to himself, as he walked away through the grove, “that cannot be denied her; but has she got feeling? I am afraid not. In fact, she is like most artists; she is all style, without any sincerity. She would not sacrifice herself for others. She thinks 5 merely of music, and everybody knows that the arts are selfish. Still, it must be admitted that she has some beautiful notes in her voice. What a pity it is that they do not mean anything, or do any practical good.” And he went into his room, and lay down on his little pallet-bed, and began to think of his love; and, after a time, he fell asleep.
The Student's complete lack of empathy or appreciation for the Nightingale's sacrifice on his behalf--indeed, the unsentimental and thoroughly pretentious manner in which he critiques the Nightingale's song--is very much consistent with the coldness and lack of sentimentalism for which the English upper-class was famous.
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