What does the drunkard stand for in The Little Prince?

In "The Little Prince," the drunkard symbolizes the absurdity of escapism and the cycle of denial. He drinks to forget his shame, reflecting how people often turn to vices to escape their problems rather than confronting them. His character highlights the emptiness of such avoidance, illustrating the futility of trying to escape reality rather than understanding and embracing it. Through the drunkard, the story critiques adult behavior and the loss of innocence.