Allegory as Philosophy: Moral and Existential Inquiry in The Little Prince

Abstract

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince transcends its apparent simplicity to function as a deeply philosophical text that interrogates fundamental moral and existential concerns. This article examines the novella as an allegorical narrative that conveys complex philosophical ideas through symbolic characters, minimalist language, and imaginative planetary encounters. Drawing upon an integrated framework of existentialism, moral philosophy, and reader-response theory, the study explores how themes such as responsibility, love, meaning, alienation, and ethical awareness are articulated through the experiences of the Little Prince and the narrator. The analysis demonstrates that the text critiques materialism, authority, and utilitarian rationality while affirming relational ethics and existential responsibility. The study highlights the reader’s active role in transforming simple narrative episodes into reflective philosophical experiences. By positioning The Little Prince as a sustained moral and existential inquiry, the article underscores its enduring relevance as a literary work that invites readers to reconsider human values and the essence of meaningful existence.