The Nightingale and the Rose

Research aestheticism and Wilde’s role in the movement. How does “The Nightingale and the Rose” reflect Wilde’s aesthetic convictions and belief in “art for art’s sake”?

Throughout the story, Wilde uses many similes, metaphors, and other descriptive phrases to create intricate imagery, even when the imagery is unnecessary to the plot. What role does Wilde’s descriptive prose play in enhancing the story?

How does Wilde subvert readers’ expectations of a fairy tale, particularly in the characters of the Student and the professor’s daughter?