THE NOTION OF PHYSICAL AND EXISTENTIAL SPACE IN THE LITTLE PRINCE: THE PLACE OF THE CHARACTERS IN THE NARRATIVE

Abstract

The book The Little Prince (1943), by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900-1944), is analyzed from the perspective of the notion of space, which transcends mere setting, being understood as physical and existential space. This work proposes to analyze the representation of these spaces, manifested in the characters' interactions and their relationship with the environments they inhabit. The objective is to demonstrate that space is an essential tool for the development of central themes in the work, such as solitude, friendship, responsibility, and mutual understanding. The methodology adopted was the interpretive approach of passages that highlight the visited locations, exploring their physical characteristics and their symbolic meanings. The theoretical basis included the review of existing literature and contributions from Bachelard (2008) and Brandão (2013) on literary space, and from Candido (2011) and Rosenfeld (2011) on the relevance of characters in narratives. The results indicate that the planets function as metaphors for the human condition, with each physical space serving as a reflection of the characters' emotional and existential states. It is concluded that the work uses space significantly, inviting the reader to a universal reflection on life and one's place in the universe.