The Prince Who Was a Thief
Theodore Dreiser’s short story The Prince Who Was a Thief is about a ragged teller of tales, forced to scrounge for the smallest coins from an audience who felt they were entitled to his art for free.
The tale contrasts poverty with the extravagant riches of the ruling class, the Prince has experienced (or will) both sides of this economic coin. Dreiser wrote two stories seemingly influenced by his boyhood reading of The Arabian Nights. This tale takes place in the town of Hodeidah, in Yemen, as does a story with a similar style, “Khat” which also contains some of the same minor characters.
In the story, young Prince Hussein does not escape death as an infant, but is sold into slavery at the age of four, purchased by the master thief who trains him in his profession.
Adapted from Drieserworks blog
In the story, young Prince Hussein does not escape death as an infant, but is sold into slavery at the age of four, purchased by the master thief who trains him in his profession.
Adapted from Drieserworks blog
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